WOO HOO! It’s almost spring! It’s time to check the roof, the driveway, the yard, and the rest of the house to see what needs fixed.
Ahhh! The joys of home ownership.
If we are young and healthy, we may still want to do our own home repairs. (I probably don’t need to mention that getting on the roof when you’re 75 is NOTHING like getting on the roof when you’re 25!) The jobs that seemed easy not so long ago become much more intimidating as we age.
Home repairs are expensive, and can cost thousands of dollars. People on fixed incomes may not have the resources to have repairs completed, and may be on the “lookout” for home repair deals. But – are they going to get a deal or are they going to get scammed? Some of the more common types of home repair scams involve duct cleaning, driveway sealant, leaky foundations, landscaping, furnace and roofing repair.
We live in an area that has an above-average number of senior citizens. Many of those seniors don’t have family close by or perhaps they didn’t have children. Their friends are most likely older adults, too, and have many of the same issues. This lack of support puts a lot of people in a vulnerable position for getting conned! Don’t let that person be YOU!
Be cautious as we come into the spring clean-up season.
- You may be approached by an unscrupulous contractor or the person may be con artist.
- Ask for identification.
- Beware of people who show up at your doorstep offering to fix something for a great price. (If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!) They may say they ‘were driving by and noticed a problem’. Busier contractors most often don’t have the time to drive around looking for customers.
- Some scammers will offer to get the supplies to fix the problem, but they need money up front. These people MAY come back, or you may never see them or your money again.
- Do NOT let people into your home. Sometimes one person will talk to the consumer while the other asks to use the bathroom. That person may be casing your house or stealing your money or possessions.
What should you do?
- Make sure that you check credentials including the contractor’s license and number.
- Do not make a decision in haste. If the person must have a decision right now, you need to step back.
- Ask for references and check them – thoroughly.
- Don’t pay in cash. Use a credit card, check or consider financing. Do your own financing. Don’t let the contractor arrange this for you.
- Put it in writing. Have a contract for the work and read the fine print!
- Be proactive. Talk to friends who have had work done.
Most states require residential contractor licensing but some do not. Check with your state’s Attorney General for requirements.
As a family member, stay in touch with your family. Are they cognitively impaired? They are especially vulnerable. Look at the house. What needs fixed? Stay informed about their needs. Our older family members want to remain independent and in control of their lives, but sometimes they need some help. Respect their independence and make sure they contribute to the “solutions” but make sure they are aware that it can be a dangerous world out there.
[Source: National Consumers League, The Top 10 Flags of Home Repair Scams, https://www.nclnet.org/top_10_red_flags_of_home_repair_scams, AARP, https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/home-improvement.html; National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Home Improvement Scams: Tools to Reduce Your Risk, https://www.n4a.org/Files/N4a-HI-Scams-brochure-access.pdf
Ann Koegler, MA, LSW
Altenheim Resource & Referral Services, Wheeling WV
