renKNOWvate, formerly the National Alliance Against Home Repair Fraud, is dedicated to preventing home repair fraud and scams by empowering homeowners and communities with tools and knowledge to make better decisions when hiring a contractor. Since 2009, we've educated over 350,000 homeowners and counting.
Understand what should be in your contract, the building permit process, payment schedules, and insurance issues you might not know about. Learn how to handle problems, change orders, lien releases, and more! No matter where you are in your project, protect yourself now and in the future.
Think you know all the scams contractors use? Don't be so sure. Con artist contractors are always coming up with new ways to cheat you. This guide will help you protect your investment and make informed decisions.
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Older adults may be targeted due to perceived vulnerability, such as diminished cognitive ability or lack of familiarity with modern fraud tactics. They own older homes that may need repairs often. They generally have access to cash from a lifetime of savings or equity in their homes. Some who live alone may feel intimidated by a pushy contractor and agree to a dishonest pitch. Most seniors are very hesitant to report they have been scammed, to avoid being perceived as unable to care for themselves anymore.
Those facing urgent repairs after a tornado, hurricane, fire, or flood, may be desperate and in a hurry to rebuild. They are considered one of the easiest targets as they are already traumatized, shaken and off-guard. This makes them extremely vulnerable.
Inexperienced homeowners may not be familiar with typical home repair costs and processes, making them more susceptible to fraud. When they were renting, all they had to do was call the landlord when something needed to be repaired.
Scammers might perceive single women or widows as easier targets due to the assumption that they may lack knowledge about home repairs.
People with limited financial resources might be tempted by offers of cheap or discounted services, which can often be fraudulent. Once they are victimized, these homeowners suffer greatly because more often than not, they cannot replace the lost money or afford to pay someone to repair the shoddy construction. Many times they feel the pressure to walk away and foreclose.
Language barriers and unfamiliarity with local regulations and norms can make immigrants and non-English speakers more vulnerable to scams. They may not understand the terms of a contract or their legal rights.
Those with physical or mental disabilities may be targeted due to perceived vulnerabilities and potential reliance on others for home maintenance and repair. They may not be able to get to areas, such as on the roof or into the crawl space, to verify they need repairs. Many times they rely on anything the contractor tells them.
People living in rural areas may have limited access to reputable service providers and may be more likely to rely on unsolicited offers from traveling contractors or handymen.
Individuals with demanding schedules may be more inclined to quickly agree to services without thorough vetting due to time constraints.
We have met doctors, lawyers, celebrities, wealth managers — even mayors, police chiefs and detectives — who have been victimized by shady contractors. Contractor scams and fraud can affect anyone, regardless of their education, wealth, or social status.
Day in and day out, we receive calls from consumers who have fallen victim to scams. Our tips highlight the victim, detail the scam, and offer practical pointers to prevent you from becoming the next target. Please note, these suggestions are informative and aimed at safeguarding your most valuable asset—your home. While the scams described here are prevalent, it's important to remain vigilant as tactics can vary widely among bad actors posing as reputable home repair contractors.
As a local leader, you can make a real difference in your community. Host a renKNOWvate workshop to empower residents with the knowledge to avoid contractor fraud and scams. Whether you're a politician, community leader, insurance agent, real estate professional, member of law enforcement, attorney, or small business owner, your support can help protect homes and investments. Contact us today to schedule a workshop and bring essential resources to your area. Together, we can build a safer, more informed community.
Reduce claims related to contractor fraud by providing clients with essential knowledge, enhancing client satisfaction and loyalty.
Demonstrate your commitment to constituent welfare by empowering homeowners to avoid contractor scams, fostering trust and safety in your community.
Equip homeowners with essential knowledge for safer renovations. Partner with renKNOWvate to position your store as a leader in honest home improvements.
Educating consumers on avoiding contractor scams can help agents enhance their services, help homeowner's associations increase member value by ensuring safer renovations, and help mortgage companies reduce the risk of devaluation in properties they finance.
Strengthen community resilience by educating residents on how to protect themselves from fraud, promoting a safer and more informed neighborhood.
Protect your assets by helping homeowners avoid contractor fraud. Partnering with renKNOWvate ensures renovations are completed correctly, preserving property values and fostering client trust.
Reduce fraud cases in your community by partnering with renKNOWvate to educate homeowners on avoiding contractor scams. This collaboration helps protect residents and promotes a safer, more informed community.
Enhance recovery efforts by educating homeowners on avoiding contractor scams post-disaster. Partnering with reKNOvate ensures victims receive honest and reliable rebuilding services, accelerating recovery and fostering trust in your organization.
Build your reputation by partnering with renKNOWvate to host workshops on avoiding scams. Demonstrate your commitment to honesty and transparency, gaining trust from homeowners and establishing yourself as a reliable professional in the industry.
Build goodwill and trust within the community by supporting initiatives that protect local homeowners from scams.
Help clients avoid costly legal disputes with contractors by equipping them with fraud prevention strategies.
Protect yourself and your community by partnering with renKNOWvate to educate homeowners on avoiding contractor scams. This collaboration helps prevent fraud and promotes trust and safety, benefiting everyone involved.
Whether it’s a tornado in the Midwest or hurricane on the coast, renKNOWvate quickly deploys a team of counselors to the disaster area, establishes a Resource Center in partnership with other relief organizations, and conducts one-on-one counseling with disaster victims on their individual home repair/rebuild, to help keep them from becoming victims twice, once from the disaster and then by unscrupulous contractors who prey on homeowners in this at-risk market.
Whether victims are receiving insurance settlements or government relief aid, renKNOWvate can assist them in navigating their repair/rebuild, regardless of where they are in the process.
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