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When you purchase your home, there are always things here and there that you would like to improve or change. Some of these changes you can handle on your own, such as painting a room or two. More complicated changes or improvements, such as a new roof or installing new windows, should be left to the professionals. 

Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who specifically target homeowners in need of improvements. Some will simply disappear with your money, while some will start the project and never finish. Here are some common warning signs that you are being scammed: 

• Scammers may use flyers or ads, but a common ploy is to knock on your door and claim to have leftover supplies from a project that was just completed in your neighborhood. Most good, legitimate contractors will be too busy to go door-to-door in a neighborhood looking for work. While the person at your door may be sincere, still be careful.
• Ask for references and contact them. Scammers typically won’t wait around for you to contact references; they’ll be on to the next scam. You can also look up a contractor at the Better Business Bureau’s website. An online search could also reveal poor reviews.
• Beware of contractors who prefer cash-only deals or high upfront cash payments. This doesn’t mean the person you’re dealing with is trying to scam you, but it’s best to be cautious. 
• If your house falls victim to a natural disaster, be leery of contractors who offer to work on your home and, in exchange, you sign over your insurance check. 
• If you agree to let a contractor work on a home improvement project, the contractor might ask for additional money, claiming that unexpected problems have raised the overall cost of the project. Always make sure that you have a written agreement that extra work will only be considered in the form of a change order. With a change order, both parties agree to the extra work and the extra money that will need to be paid. If you don’t want the extra work done, then you don’t sign the change order.

If you think you have been a victim of a home improvement scam or that you have been approached by a scammer, please visit the Better Business Bureau’s website and local law enforcement to report it.