How to Avoid Contractor Scams in 2026

The 8 most common contractor scams

1. Door-to-door storm chasers — show up after a hurricane or hailstorm, pressure you to sign an "assignment of benefits," disappear with your insurance check.
2. The oversized deposit — asks for 50% up front, then drags out the start indefinitely.
3. Leftover materials — "We just paved a driveway down the street and have asphalt left over, $1,500 cash today only."
4. The bait-and-switch quote — verbal quote of $9,000 turns into a $22,000 written change order on day 3.
5. No-permit "discount" — saves 5%, costs you 30% at resale and voids insurance.
6. The fake license number — they show a card. You don't verify. The number belongs to someone else or is expired.
7. The unfinished job — disappears halfway through, leaving you to hire another pro to fix and finish.
8. The "free" inspection — finds urgent, expensive problems that don't exist.

Five rules that defeat every scam

1. Never pay cash. Never. Pay through escrow or by card.
2. Verify the license online, not on the card or truck.
3. Get the COI emailed directly from the insurer.
4. Three written, itemized quotes minimum.
5. Pull the permit yourself if anything feels off — it's $50 of insurance.

What to do if you've been scammed

• File a complaint with the state licensing board (most have an online form).
• Notify your insurance carrier and bank/credit card immediately for chargeback.
• File a police report and a complaint with the state Attorney General consumer fraud unit.
• Post a verified review on QOTA and other platforms.