Most home improvement companies in the Quad Cities, while they vary in terms of quality, are reputable. However, there are some companies out there that will simply try to take advantage of you when you need home improvement help the most. These scams can be easy to get sucked into if you don’t know the warning signs. Fortunately, Mainstream Home Improvements has been in the business for nearly 20 years, and we’ve heard several of the common tricks. Here are some of the lies that dishonest home improvement companies might tell:
“It’s Normal To Ask For The Money Upfront.”
Some contractors will try to ask for the money for the project before it even starts, whether in total or as much as 30-50%. They’ll assure you that this is normal and even necessary in order to execute the project to your satisfaction. But that’s simply not the case. In most states, home improvement companies legally can’t ask for more than 10% of the cost of the project upfront. That’s enough to get started with materials, and the rest is paid only when the customer is completely satisfied with the work.
“This Change Order Wasn’t Included In The Initial Price.”
To some degree, change orders might be inevitable. It could be that in the midst of the project, the homeowner changes their mind about something or decides that they want a new roof feature or added windows. That will be reflected in the final cost of the home improvement project. However, there are also home improvement companies that deliberately lowball their quote in order, leaving out elements that they know will likely be necessary for the project. At the sign of the slightest obstacle, these contractors will make a change order, thus upping the initial price they suggested.
“We Don’t Need A Permit To Do The Work.”
Every home improvement company who works on your Quad Cities home must be licensed and certified to do so. They often need permits for the specific projects. It’s a good idea to do your homework on what’s legally required of contractors in the Quad Cities. Ideally, your contractor should be both licensed and insured. If they tell you that they need neither of those things, that’s at worst untrue and at best a red flag that they don’t have your best interests at heart.
The best way to avoid a home improvement scam is to be prepared for the kind of lies you might be told, and to do your homework about any home improvement company you consider. Mainstream Home Improvements has been in the business for nearly 20 years, leaving our projects with happy customers and great reviews. We’ve even won the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free estimate for your home improvement projects.
