{"scScamCategoryDtlId":6,"sectionHeader":"Home Improvement Scams","sectionDesc":"<p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Home Improvement Scams come in many forms. Whether it is utility work, tree removal, roof repair/replace, property clean up or other types of home repair, being cautious will save you money, time and aggravation. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Red flags that a home improvement company may be untrustworthy: </span></p><p></p><ul><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They claim they don’t need to be licensed or refuse to show you their license. Who needs to be licensed in Kentucky? (</span><u style=\"color: rgb(70, 120, 134); background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=573\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION</a></u><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">) </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They pressure you to do the work right now. They may claim they are offering a discount because they are working in the neighborhood or some other bogus reason why the work must be done immediately. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They ask you to sign a blank or incomplete contract. They ask you to sign a contract on an iPad without giving you time to review what you are signing. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They ask for payment upfront before the work is done. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They insist you pay with an untraceable currency such as a gift card, payment app (Venmo, Cash app, etc.) cryptocurrency or cash. They may even ask you to sign over your insurance check. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">They claim your repair is covered by your insurance and pressure you to sign an agreement without confirming with your insurance company. </span></li></ul><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\"> </span></p><p><strong style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">How do I avoid a Home Improvement Scam? </strong></p><p></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Whenever your home needs repair or you take on a home improvement project, it can be overwhelming. Scammers play on these emotions and pressure you into making quick decisions.</span></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\"> </span></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">When disasters such as floods or tornadoes take place, scammers appear quickly in disaster zones, traveling to the area to take advantage of people in need. Be skeptical and verify the information they give you. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">You can arm yourself with information by: </span></p><p></p><ul><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Understanding your insurance coverage or contacting your carrier with any questions regarding insurance – do not rely on a contractor to tell you what is covered, not everyone is insured the same. </span></li><li><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(36, 36, 36);\">Asking for copies of their license and their business insurance. If they can’t give you these items, do more research. In Kentucky, </span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: windowtext;\">general (building) </span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(36, 36, 36);\">contractors do not need a </span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: windowtext;\">state</span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(36, 36, 36);\"> license, but plumbers, electricians and HVAC installers do. </span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: windowtext;\">Some license types do not allow the licensed person to contract work but only to install or supervise work for a company. </span><span style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(36, 36, 36);\">You can find a full list of who needs a license and how to spot a valid Kentucky license here </span><a href=\"https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/Tornado%20Updates%20Licensing.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Licensing Questions</a><a href=\"https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/Tornado%20Updates%20Licensing.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(36, 36, 36);\">. </a></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Checking online reviews of the contractor. The Better Business Bureau (</span><u style=\"color: rgb(70, 120, 134); background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https://www.bbb.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">BBB: The Sign of a Better Business | Better Business Bureau</a>) </u><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">is a good resource as well as just typing the business name in Google for reviews. But be aware that bad actors can change their name to avoid these reviews. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Checking with state and local governments to verify a contractor’s license (</span><u style=\"color: rgb(70, 120, 134); background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=573\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION</a>)</u><span style=\"color: rgb(70, 120, 134); background-color: transparent;\"> </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Getting estimates from more than one contractor. </span></li><li><strong style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Getting all improvements in a contract. When reviewing a contract make sure: </strong><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: windowtext;\">There are no blank spaces where information can be written in later.</span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">The business name, address, phone and license number match the ones you were given.</span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">There is a start date and an estimated completion date. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">The scope of work including labor costs and material costs are clearly spelled out and match what you were told. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">The payment terms are clearly spelled out and match what you were told. </span></li><li><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">The contract includes everything promised during conversations or calls with the business. </span></li></ul></li></ul><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\"> </span></p><p><strong style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\">Resources: </strong></p><p><span style=\"color: windowtext; background-color: transparent;\"> </span></p><p><u style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);\"><a href=\"https://www.bbb.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">BBB: The Sign of a Better Business | Better Business Bureau</a></u><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: windowtext;\"> </span></p><p><u style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);\"><a href=\"https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=573\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION</a></u><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: windowtext;\"> </span></p><p><u style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);\"><a href=\"https://www.hbak.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Home Builders Association of Kentucky</a></u></p>","activeDt":"2025-06-10T00:00:00","inactiveDt":null,"deactive":false,"lstUpdBy":"PPC_OOS","lstUpdDt":"2026-08-10T15:29:02","sortOrder":11,"scamCategoryTypeName":"Home Improvement Scams"}