Fall is prime season for home improvement scams, BBB warns

As the crisp air of autumn rolls in, homeowners begin preparing for colder weather — and unfortunately, scammers do, too.

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to stay vigilant against seasonal scams that tend to spike during the fall months.

“Fall is a prime season for home improvement scams,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB. “These scams rank as the fifth riskiest for consumers, with a median loss of $1,800, according to our 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. Fraudsters often take advantage of homeowners during this transitional time, offering unnecessary or substandard services that can cost hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars.”

One common tactic involves exploiting the seasonal shift from air conditioning to heating. Furnace inspections and tuneups are in high demand, and scammers may use this opportunity to push fake or overpriced services.

While many contractors are reputable, the BBB urges consumers to do their homework before hiring anyone. The BBB offers a free “Get A Quote” referral service to help connect consumers with trustworthy businesses.

Another red flag: unsolicited offers.

“It’s not unusual for scam contractors to show up uninvited at your doorstep,” Bernas said. “They’ll claim they’re working nearby and noticed your home needs repairs — maybe a new roof, driveway repaving, or other renovations. They’ll quote a price that sounds too good to be true. And often, it is.”

Typical home improvement scams include:

• Chimney/roof repairs — Scammers disguised as chimney sweeps will tell you your chimney needs to be inspected and then use hard sales tactics to get you to make expensive, unfounded repairs. Don't fall for it.

• Fake energy audits and furnace checkups — Never let anyone in your home unless you contacted and checked them out ahead of time. Be very leery of anyone who knocks on your door unsolicited.

• Gutter cleaning — Fraudulent gutter cleaners prey on the elderly or those who cannot easily clean their gutters. They will claim they have worked in the neighborhood before and quote you a very low estimate in return for shoddy, incomplete work.

• Energy audits/door-to-door furnace repairs — Many scammers offer a “free” energy audit to reduce heating costs, claiming to be a representative from your local utility company. They insist on costly upgrades for your attics, such as solar blankets or insulation, and may or may not burglarize your home while conducting the audit.

• Ductwork cleaning — Ductwork cleaning is rarely a necessity, so take caution. Scammers are known to damage your heating system while cleaning, costing you additional repairs. This damage also may create indoor air hazards.

• Phony snow removal — BBB always receives complaints about fake snow removal services where homeowners pay upfront and either the fraudsters take the money and run, or have you sign a contract that allows them to do expensive add-ons.

How scammers operate:

• Show up at your door unexpectedly — if this occurs, never let anyone in your home that you don’t know.

• Quickly point out the problem they say needs repair without much inspection.

• Say they have leftover materials from a project they just finished nearby.

• Offer unbelievably low prices.

• Only accept cash or check.

• Promise an unconditional guarantee on the work.

• Push to start work immediately.

BBB recommends you should:

• Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website for contractor ratings and reviews. Look for the BBB Seal, The Sign of a Better Business.

• Insist on seeing references. You should ask past customers detailed questions, including whether the project was completed on time and if there were unexpected costs.

• Require a bid in writing and compare bids from multiple contractors before agreeing to any work.

• Get a written contract before you pay any money and before the work starts. Illinois law requires that contractors provide a written contract for any project more than $1,000.

• Read the fine print. A contract should include a detailed description of the work, material costs, start and completion dates, and warranty information.

• Before making the final payment, verify that all work is satisfactory, any subcontractors or suppliers have been paid, and the job site has been cleaned up.

If you've spotted a scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker. Visit BBB.org or follow @ChicagoBBB on social media.