RoofingGeneral
Common home service scams, by trade
Browse documented home-improvement scam patterns, how each one works, and the concrete defense - every entry linked to a verified consumer-protection source.
8Scam patterns6Trades coveredCitedVerified sources$0No signup
Paving
Leftover-asphalt driveway scam
How it works. A crew says they have "leftover" asphalt or sealant from a nearby job and offer a cash discount to pave or seal your driveway immediately. The work is typically thin, low-quality, and fails fast.Your defense. Decline unsolicited paving offers. Get written quotes, confirm a real business address and license, and never pay cash for same-day work.Source: BBB - asphalt / paving scam alert →GeneralRoofingHVAC
Large upfront deposit and abandonment
How it works. The contractor demands a large deposit - often a third or more of the job - then does little or no work and stops responding, or never returns to finish.Your defense. Keep deposits small, tie payments to completed milestones in a written contract, and pay by traceable methods, never cash.Source: FTC - avoid home improvement scams →GeneralMoving
Bait-and-switch low quote
How it works. A quote comes in far below competitors to win the job, then "unexpected" charges, change orders, or scope gaps inflate the final bill well past the original price.Your defense. Be suspicious of a bid well under every other one. Require a detailed written scope with exclusions, and compare bids line by line.Source: FTC - avoid home improvement scams →HVACRoofingGeneral
Unnecessary-repair / "we found more damage" scam
How it works. Mid-job, the contractor claims to have discovered serious additional problems and pressures you to approve costly extra work immediately, often without photos or evidence.Your defense. Ask for documented proof - photos, measurements, readings. Get an independent second opinion before approving major add-ons.Source: FTC - avoid home improvement scams →Moving
Hostage-load moving scam
How it works. A mover gives a low estimate, then after loading your belongings demands a much higher payment before unloading, effectively holding your possessions hostage.Your defense. Use movers with a verifiable license, insist on a written binding estimate, and read reviews and complaint history before booking.Source: FTC - scams resource hub →Tree work
Uninsured tree-work liability trap
How it works. A crew offers cheap tree removal but cannot show liability or workers-compensation insurance. If a worker is hurt or a limb damages property, the cost can fall on you.Your defense. Require a current certificate of insurance sent directly by the agent, and confirm coverage for climbing, chainsaw, and crane work.Source: FTC - avoid home improvement scams →General
Fake inspector / official-impersonation scam
How it works. Someone claiming to be a city inspector, utility worker, or government official says your home needs urgent repairs and steers you to a specific contractor - often a partner in the scheme.Your defense. Verify any official independently by calling the agency directly. Real inspectors do not sell repairs or recommend a specific contractor.Source: USA.gov - scams and fraud →What most home service scams share
01
Manufactured urgency
Scams need you to act before you can compare bids, check a license, or get a second opinion. Real contractors can wait.02
Money before proof
Large cash deposits and pay-today demands move your money before any work - or any accountability - exists.03
No verifiable identity
Missing license numbers, no fixed address, and no insurance certificate make the contractor impossible to hold accountable.04
Unsolicited contact
Door-knockers and post-storm solicitors are a recurring theme. Vet anyone you did not seek out yourself.Methodology
How this tracker is sourced
Each pattern is a widely documented home-service scam described in guidance from the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau, and USA.gov. The descriptions explain how the scam typically operates and the practical defense consumer agencies recommend. Every entry links to a verified, currently accessible source page. This is general consumer education - report suspected scams to the FTC and your state attorney general.