We Almost Got Scammed — Our HOMR Horror Story
HOMR almost lost tens of thousands of dollars to a construction scammer. We were looking for a new partner to handle a deck and pergola project. The member had already gotten two bids, but wanted a third just to feel safe.
The first red flag came when we asked for the quote. We kept getting weird excuses about why their quote was taking so long:
“I’m using a new software, it will be ready very soon!” Two days later when we followed up again, the same story “Still figuring out the software, I’ll get it right over!”
We then asked for references as part of our standard vetting process for service providers. He sent us to a (bad) website with lots of stock photography. When we asked if he had any progress pictures, he sent pictures of a construction site in Colorado!
The final straw was when we asked for his insurance. The information he sent over referred to an entirely different business name.
We parted ways before trusting this provider with a large deck and patio job for one of our HOMR members.
There’s always a positive to be taken from stories like this though:
Top 7 Red Flags of Bad Deck and Patio Builders
We've helped dozens of homeowners secure quality service providers for their new deck and patio projects.
Through that experience, HOMR has identified 7 major warning signs that you may be using the wrong building company. Some (like #3) are less obvious than others!
🚩1. Cash-Only Companies.
Deck and patio companies who demand cash-only services concern us. Worst case scenario, your builder doesn't have a corporate bank account — and that doesn’t give you any protection as the consumer.
That being said: Many contractors prefer a check or ACH to avoid rising credit card fees. That’s understandable to us.
🚩2. Demands for Full Upfront Payment.
HOMR strongly recommends against full upfront payments for this type of project. This applies in all cases — even a small patio or simple 8'x10' wood deck should offer payment in installments.
It’s more common for a contractor to request 30-50% upfront or present an installment plan.
🚩3. No Bad Reviews.
Read your potential builder's online reviews, (and their BBB profile, if they have one). If they all sound a bit too similar and contain zero complaints, there's a chance they are paying for false reviews.
This tip requires a bit of "buyer's intuition”. If a deck company has no bad reviews, that might be great — or it may be a sign of bad faith.
🚩4. High Pressure Sales Tactics.
A quality service provider allows homeowners the space and time to make major buying decisions. The less pressure a provider places on you, the more likely we are to trust their business practices.
In fact, if a deck installer is any good, they won’t “sweat” one sale. An investment in a new deck or patio is a big decision. You don't need any added pressure from your contractor.
🚩5. No Backlog of Work.
On the surface, it seems ideal that a builder can start work immediately. But why isn't anyone else hiring them? Why aren't their services in high demand?
A lack of other jobs means that your neighbors either don’t like or don’t trust that contractor — or both. Be skeptical of a deck builder with a ton of free time.
🚩6. No Contract (or a bad one)
If a deck or patio builder doesn't provide a signed written contract, they don't deserve your business. The contract should include the full scope of work and a general timeframe. Always protect yourself with a contract that's signed by the contractor and easy to understand.
🚩7. Unfamiliar with Building Code.
If your contractor isn’t familiar with the current building code, find another service provider. An uninformed builder is a fast track to failed inspections, delays, wasted materials and potential fines.
That's more than enough time focused on the bad. Let's end on a positive note!
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