Beware home renovation scams as summer nears: Barrie police

NEWS RELEASE

BARRIE POLICE SERVICE

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With warm weather on the horizon, and the approach of summer season, the Barrie Police Service is reminding homeowners to be aware of scams involving home renovation and repair.

A home renovation scam typically involves dishonest contractors or companies that deceive homeowners by overcharging, doing substandard work, or taking payment and disappearing without completing the job. These scams can cost homeowners thousands and often leave properties in worse condition than before.

Common types of home renovation scams:

• Upfront payment, then disappear: Contractor asks for a large down payment (often cash) and never returns
• Lowball bids: A contractor offers an unusually low estimate to win the job, then demands more money mid-project through fabricated issues or surprise costs.
• Shoddy or incomplete work: Poor-quality work or unfinished jobs that don’t meet building codes or safety standards.
• Storm chasers: Fraudsters target neighbourhoods after storms or disasters, promising quick repairs, often without proper licences or insurance.
• Licence or permit fraud: Contractors either use fake licences or fail to get required permits, leaving homeowners liable.
• Unnecessary repairs: Convincing homeowners that urgent, expensive work is needed when it’s not.

How to avoid home renovation scams:

• Verify licensing and insurance: Check your contractor’s licence with your local licensing board and ensure they carry liability insurance.
• Get multiple estimates: Don’t go with the first quote — compare several bids to find a fair price.
• Use a written contract: Always get a detailed, signed contract outlining scope of work, materials, payment schedule, and deadlines.
• Avoid large up-front payments: A standard is 10 to 30 per cent up front; avoid full payments before work starts.
• Check references and reviews: Ask for recent client references and search for reviews online or through the Better Business Bureau.
• Never pay in cash: Use cheques or credit cards for a paper trail.
• Watch for red flags: No physical address or company website, pressure for immediate decisions, offers that seem too good to be true.

At present, the Barrie police fraud unit is aware of a scam that involves chimney and home repair and are warning our community to always be cautious of contractors or business representatives that show up uninvited at your door and identify what they perceive or see as problems with your home.

As a homeowner, you will likely be aware of issues involving your home that may require attention, and these issues can be resolved by simply asking a neighbour who may have had similar work done recently to their home. By determining your neighbour’s level of satisfaction, you may have just found someone reputable to help you with your necessary repair.

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