Homeowners in 2025 need to be vigilant about potential scams in the home improvement sector. This week, we dive into the top five scams that could catch you off guard, from dubious duct cleaning companies to unlicensed contractors lurking on social media. With the rise of low-quality house flippers and their shoddy repairs, it's more important than ever to do your due diligence before hiring any service. We'll discuss how to identify these scams and protect your home and wallet. Join us as we navigate these pitfalls to ensure your next home project is safe and successful.
Home improvement can be a rewarding endeavor, but it comes with its share of risks, particularly when it comes to scams targeting homeowners. In this enlightening mid-week update, Eric G. highlights the top five scams that homeowners should be vigilant about in 2025. The discussion begins with a cautionary tale about duct cleaning companies that lure customers with enticing offers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Many of these services are often run by untrained individuals who can cause more damage than they repair, leading to costly repairs down the line. Eric underscores the importance of hiring certified professionals, specifically those accredited by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), to ensure that your duct cleaning is handled properly and safely.
Continuing the conversation, Eric sheds light on the dangers of unlicensed contractors who proliferate on platforms like Nextdoor. These individuals may promise affordable rates but come with the risk of unfinished work or worse, legal liabilities if accidents occur on-site. Eric advises homeowners to verify licenses and insurance before engaging with any contractor, emphasizing that the lowest bid can often lead to the highest cost in the end. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the increasing concern of low-quality house flippers who cut corners on repairs, leaving unsuspecting buyers with severe issues shortly after purchase. Eric’s insights serve as a crucial guide for homeowners looking to navigate the complex and often treacherous landscape of home improvement and renovations.
Takeaways:
Beware of duct cleaning scams often promoted on social media like Nextdoor and Facebook.
Always hire NADCA certified duct cleaning professionals to avoid potential damage and scams.
Pressure washing can cause significant damage to roofs and exteriors if not done properly.
Foundation repair companies may overcharge homeowners, always get a second opinion from a structural engineer.
Unlicensed contractors on social media can pose risks to your renovation projects and finances.
Be cautious of low-quality house flippers who perform subpar renovations without necessary permits.
When it comes to remodeling or renovating your home, there is a lot tomorrow and we have got you covered.
Speaker B:
This is around the House.
Eric G.:
Welcome to the Round the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Eric G.:
I'm Eric G.
Eric G.:
Thanks for joining me today.
Eric G.:
This segment is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Eric G.:
for homeowners here so far in:
Eric G.:
And many of these are actually happening on our favorite social media pages.
Eric G.:
Things like Nextdoor, all those things that you should just keep an eye out for when you're tackling projects.
Eric G.:
Right.
Eric G.:
So here we go.
Eric G.:
First on here, the duct cleaning companies on Facebook, Instagram and of course Facebook, Marketplace and Nextdoor.
Eric G.:
It usually starts out with, hey, I just moved to the area and me and my family have got a 50% off sale.
Eric G.:
We've all seen it.
Eric G.:
I think be very careful.
Eric G.:
These many times are 100% scams.
Eric G.:
Somebody bought a cheap duct cleaning unit and they're going around not knowing what they're doing, causing damage.
Eric G.:
And then when they get there, they go, oh, it's so much worse.
Eric G.:
It's going to be double.
Eric G.:
If you are going to hire a duct cleaning company because you have dirty ducks and that does happen, pets, things like that construction, then hire somebody that is NADCA certified.
Eric G.:
NADCA certified is the certification industry basically for the duct cleaning stuff.
Eric G.:
And when in doubt, I like to hire a company to do it that has H vac repair people.
Eric G.:
So if they go, oh my gosh, I could not believe that duct is damaged down there, they have somebody that can fix it or if they damage it, they have somebody that can fix it because accidents happen.
Eric G.:
So be super careful out there with the duct cleaning companies and the scams that are out there.
Eric G.:
Many times I've seen them dealing with the public.
Eric G.:
I've seen them out there.
Eric G.:
They've got fake pictures of your ducks that are dirty.
Eric G.:
They dump stuff down there when nobody's looking.
Eric G.:
They drag it out.
Eric G.:
Oh, look at this.
Eric G.:
This is horrible.
Eric G.:
That's why you want to deal with somebody reputable and never one of those companies that you see on social media unless they are somebody good and NADCA certified.
Eric G.:
That's a big one.
Eric G.:
Next one, pressure wash.
Eric G.:
Cleaning companies that can do damage to your house.
Eric G.:
In many states, cleaning companies exterior Cleaning companies.
Eric G.:
And I'm not talking the softwash ones.
Eric G.:
I'm talking guys that just roll up with pressure washers on the back of their old Ford truck.
Eric G.:
I'm talking the ones that get up there on the roof with the pressure washer, high pressure, and say they're going to clean your roof off.
Eric G.:
These guys here cause more damage than they fix many times.
Eric G.:
They'll damage concrete, they'll damage siding, they'll damage your roof.
Eric G.:
They'll be up there prying off all the moss or lichen up there and removing the granules with it.
Eric G.:
I've seen them destroy roofs, absolutely destroy them.
Eric G.:
And now you got to spend 35 grand to put a new one on there.
Eric G.:
So be very careful.
Eric G.:
I liked the soft wash companies.
Eric G.:
If you have a problem with your roof, they've got some treatments that'll help put some chemicals back into that roof to make it a little more pliable so you don't have as much shingle breakage.
Eric G.:
I think if you've got an old roof, if you can extend the life out of it, that might make sense.
Eric G.:
But really roof maintenance is a big thing.
Eric G.:
But pressure washers on the roof, unless they know what they're doing and they're the soft wash guys out there, that makes me nervous and they're probably going to do more damage then, you know, then good.
Eric G.:
So that's something to be careful with.
Eric G.:
Next up, number three foundation companies overcharging their victims.
Eric G.:
And we just did a episode with RK Bob Brown.
Eric G.:
Go back and take a look at it.
Eric G.:
There are companies out there that will come out.
Eric G.:
They're big companies many times and they will knock on your door after you set up the appointment.
Eric G.:
And I have seen $35,000 fixes that were fixed with $2,700.
Eric G.:
So be very careful.
Eric G.:
There are good companies out there.
Eric G.:
There's a lot of good companies out there.
Eric G.:
But there's also ones out there that are just fear based, high pressure.
Eric G.:
They won't leave your house without a commitment.
Eric G.:
And I've seen it time and time again.
Eric G.:
So be very careful.
Eric G.:
If you've got a foundation issue, your best bet, if you've got that crack in the foundation, call a serious, really give a phone call to a structural engineer, have them come out, give you the answer and then put that project out to bid.
Eric G.:
Next up, unlicensed contractors on social media.
Eric G.:
I tell you what, they are all over Nextdoor and in the past, I don't know if it's currently that way, but Nextdoor was fighting against our state Regulators our Oregon CCB to even let people on there to patrol it.
Eric G.:
So if you have contractor licensing, be very careful of those people out there on social media that are pretending to be contractors.
Eric G.:
They're not licensed, bonded and insured and they're ones that can really keep you.
Eric G.:
They'll take your money or they'll get hurt on your job site and you're paying them for the project.
Eric G.:
And guess what, you're paying for their medical benefits and those hospital bills.
Eric G.:
So be really careful, guys.
Eric G.:
So watch out for the unlicensed contractors on social media.
Eric G.:
And the last one here are the people out there buying homes right now.
Eric G.:
Watch out for those low quality house flippers.
Eric G.:
This is becoming more and more of a problem with people doing subpar repairs.
Eric G.:
They're finishing out basements.
Eric G.:
The first rain they get flood up.
Eric G.:
Now they have to, you know, the new homeowner has to take it on.
Eric G.:
You know, the ones out there that are house flipping, not pulling permits, doing an ugly job.
Eric G.:
And that brand new home buyer is getting taken.
Eric G.:
Really watch out for that, guys.
Eric G.:
So these are my top five.
Eric G.:
What do you think?
Eric G.:
Out there are some of the biggest scams.
Eric G.:
Send me a message over toRoundthe House online dot com.
Eric G.:
All right, guys, have a great rest of the week.
Eric G.:
I know it's been a rough one for many people out there.
Eric G.:
Keep your head up, you know, get through the winter here, turn the news off if you have to and enjoy working on projects in your house.
Eric G.:
Maybe it's time to go out and do a project in the shop, take on a restoration project in your house, put on your favorite tunes and go off into your own little bliss.
Eric G.:
I'm Eric G.
Eric G.:
Thanks for tuning in to around the house.
Eric G.:
We'll see you Saturday for a brand new show.
Speaker A:
Somewhere unseen and undiscovered Anywhere beyond the me Love is a love song let's be lovers we're all over the radio mind I know where to go all over the radio with.
