Spring and summer are the peak seasons for people making home improvements, which means it is also the peak time for scammers trying to take advantage of those looking for a home makeover.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection has issued a consumer alert urging New Yorkers to stay cautious of home improvement scams and to provide tips on how you can protect yourself this season.
Home improvement scams, according to the state Division of Consumer Protection, have consistently ranked among the top five consumer complaints for New Yorkers. The consumer alert states that these scams can cost homeowners thousands of dollars, while leaving them with unfinished work, poor craftsmanship and unsafe results.
“Spring and summer times are the perfect seasons to do home renovations, but consumers should be wary of unsolicited contractors who knock on your door offering repairs or home improvement projects at a ‘bargain price’ because it could simply be a scam,” Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said. “The Division of Consumer Protection offers tips to New Yorkers so they can avoid costly mistakes by hiring nefarious scammers who can take advantage of their hard-earned money with an unfinished job or no work at all.”
Here are some tips to protect yourself from home improvement scams throughout the 2026 spring and summer seasons.
Tip #1: Verify and research your contractors
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection urges New Yorkers to carefully verify and fully research all home improvement contractors before hiring them to do any work around your house. Here is how to ensure your contractor is legit:
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Shop around for contractors: Rather than hiring the first contractor you meet, the state Division of Consumer Protection suggests getting at least three written estimates of your project before deciding who to go with. These written estimates should all include:
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A list of all the materials that will be used for the project
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The estimated start and finish dates for the project
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Verify your contractor’s credentials: To thoroughly verify that your contractor is legit, you should read multiple online reviews, ask your friends and family for referrals, check for a complaint history through the Better Business Bureau, check local consumer agencies and state records. The NY State Division of Consumer Protection states that you should be very cautious of a contractor with no physical address or if they change business names often.
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Check local government licensing requirements: New York State does not license home improvement contractors, but some local municipalities and counties do. According to the state Division of Consumer Protection, New York City, the City of Buffalo, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties all provide licenses for these contractors. If you live in one of these areas, make sure you only hire contractors who are licensed by your local government.
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Know the codes: Check with your town or county to understand the permit requirements and applicable building codes. Make sure either you or your contractor gets the required permits for your project.
Tip #2: Avoid red flags
Scammers may know all the right things to say and do to trick their victims, but there are usually red flags that give them away. Here is what the NY State Division of Consumer Protection says you should look out for when hiring a home improvement contractor:
Stay cautious of contractors that do the following:
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Knock on your door unexpectedly
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If they say they have “leftover materials from another job”
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Contractors who pressure you to sign immediately
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Contractors who demand cash only
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Refuses permits or paperwork
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Contractors who happen to find new urgent problems after starting
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Contractors who ask you to finance through “their lender”
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Contractors who ask you to sign insurance checks over to them
The state Division of Consumer Protection says that home improvement scammers will often provide low-quality work or disappear before completing the project when the homeowner provides any upfront payments. Scammers will also often attempt to create a false sense of urgency to push homeowners into paying for unnecessary work by exaggerating home improvement issues or claiming that a recent city, state or federal regulation requires immediate upgrades.
Tip #3: Be a savvy consumer
To be a smart and savvy consumer during your home improvement operations, the state Division of Consumer Protection suggests the following tips:
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Get all contracts in writing: Your home improvement contract should include:
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The contractor’s full name, address and phone number
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A detailed description of the work
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The total price and payment terms
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A timeline of the project
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Change-order process information for any extra work
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Don’t sign anything before officially deciding to hire: Never sign anything before you are ready to hire a contractor, or if you are not sure what the contract means in terms of your project. Documents with blank spaces or anything that is “not applicable” should not be signed. The state Division of Consumer Protection states that any “non-applicable” language should be removed or crossed out and signed by the contractor. Be sure to take extra time if needed to ensure you feel confident with the contact before signing.
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Never pay the full price upfront: You should always avoid large upfront deposits and instead use a staged payment schedule that is tied to completed work. The state suggests only paying with a check or a credit card when possible. Do not pay with cash, wire transfer, Zelle or gift cards. Your final payment should be withheld until the job is complete and you are satisfied with the results.
If any problems arise during your home improvement projects, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection suggests first trying to reach a resolution with your contractor. If that is not possible, you should file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency or the New York State Division of Consumer Protection at dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
— Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York warns homeowners about home improvement scams