Avoiding Home Repair and/or Improvement Scams for Orlando, FL

Spring is here, and some creepy insects are out and about, literally and figuratively.  Home repair scammers abound this time of year, and they are driving through neighborhoods looking for a bad roof, a cracked driveway, peeling paint, and other jobs they can convince a homeowner that they can do for cheap. Don’t get caught up in a scam that will not only waste your money but could possibly do harm to your home. 

 

Driveway Sealant:  This scam is as old as asphalt, and the “contractor” will come to your door and tell you he notices that your driveway needs resealing and can do it with leftover materials for $59.99.  Most driveways don’t need sealing, much less re-sealing.   

 

Mold Inspections:  Be wary of a mold inspection company that offers to take care of any mold they find as well. They will find it and charge a hefty sum to remove it. Be proactive here--if you smell a musty odor in your home or see visible mold in places that it shouldn’t be, call your insurance company to see if mold remediation is covered in your policy, and ask them to recommend a certified mold inspector. 

 

Painting:  If a painter comes to your door, offering to paint anything on the exterior of your home for a “today-only, cash-only” discount that sounds too good to be true, just say no, thanks.  This type of scam can turn into a huge liability for the homeowner, as these people are usually uninsured, and use cheap materials.  You won’t get your money’s worth. 

 

Roof Repair:  You may need a few shingles replaced or repaired after the hard winter wind, but beware the contractor who offers a quick fix for a lot less than you’d expect, because they will usually come down and tell you that your whole roof needs replacing, and since many homeowners don’t inspect their own roof, they fall for it, and they’ve paid a lot for an unnecessary brand new roof.  Call a licensed contractor if you suspect issues with your roof. 

 

Contractor Financing:  Shady contractors will offer to do home improvement jobs that you can’t afford and offer financing through their own lenders.  Once you’ve signed on the dotted line, you learn the hard way that you’ve signed a high interest loan, the contractor has been paid, and may or may not do the work they’ve promised to do. 

 

Window Replacement:  Read the fine print when talking to a window contractor.  The lowest price they quote you can be inflated in the end by “disposal fees,” and sometimes, once work has begun, they tell you that the lower-priced windows weren’t available, so they’re using better grade windows, and the mark-up will be significant. 

 

Pest Removal:  Termite damage can only be found by a thorough inspection, so don’t let someone who says they can see damage in your outdoor structures scare you into a full house treatment.  Follow up with a licensed pest control company. 

Protect yourself against these thieves who are doing no good to you and your home with these “special offers.”  Don’t forget to educate the elderly people in your life about door-to-door scammers, because they are highly susceptible to these crooks.   Consumer Reports offers some tips to help you avoid being tricked out of your money, and how to go about hiring a pro to make necessary repairs and improvements to your home.  

 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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