For many older homeowners, finding a trustworthy contractor feels more stressful than ever. Rising repair costs, aggressive home-improvement marketing, and an increase in scams targeting retirees have created a perfect storm of financial risk. Consumer advocates say older adults are frequently targeted because scammers assume retirees have home equity, savings, or may feel pressured to fix problems quickly. In some cases, dishonest contractors intentionally inflate prices, exaggerate damage, or use confusing contracts to quietly overcharge seniors by thousands of dollars. Here are seven signs that a contractor might be trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
