Driveway repair scams can cause problems
If your driveway needs paving or repairs, don’t trust just anyone to do the job. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas has received reports of unscrupulous contractors who trick homeowners with supposedly good deals. Homeowners end up with shoddy pavement, or nothing at all, to show for what they paid, and in some cases have lost thousands in the process.
The scam follows a similar pattern. An individual claiming to be a contractor leaves a pamphlet or shows up at the door. They claim they have been doing work in the area and just happened to notice the condition of your driveway or sidewalk. Since they’re already working nearby, they can give you a discount. If the price is agreeable, they will then ask for a large percentage of the fee up front.
There is some hesitancy if there is question on the price or details about the business and where it is located.
Once the transaction is complete, the scam contractor may disappear completely. The contact number or email may not work, quickly helping you realize that the contact information was a sham. If you protest, the contractor may use intimidation tactics, such as threatening a lawsuit, to convince you to pay up.
In other cases, the contractor’s work, once complete, is shoddy and unprofessional, but the full payment has been made. Reaching the company the contractor was allegedly representing is impossible, or another company was an imposter in the process.
In any of these scenarios, the chances of getting a refund or the work fixed are slim.
The BBB offers the following tips to avoid driveway paving scams:
Be wary of unsolicited offers. Most scams involving contractors begin when a random contractor makes an effort to go out of their way to offer an estimate that was never requested.
Research companies and contractors before you hire. Start with BBBHouston.org. If the contractor has multiple negative reviews and complaints, don’t hire them. Often, a simple internet search will reveal companies or individuals that have been involved in fraudulent activities or provided unsatisfactory work to previous clients.
Get everything in writing. Ask for an estimate in writing before payment is even discussed. Don’t let a contractor start working on a project until a written, signed contract outlining start and complete dates, a detailed description of the work to be provided, material costs, payment arrangements, and warranty information is provided.
Stagger payments. Most contractors require a percentage of the total price up front, but it should never be the full price before work has begun. Instead, stagger payments so work can be inspected at various stages of the project.
Use safe payment methods. Paying with a credit card provides some peace of mind, since the credit card company will help you if the company is fraudulent. If you use a check, write them out to a company, not an individual. Paying cash or using an electronic wallet app is risky, since there is no way to stop the payment or get cash back if anything goes wrong.
The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit for honest business behavior. Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org with mailing address and phone number.