Contractor fraud: Five ways homeowners can protect themselves [Video]

Building or renovating a home can be one of the biggest expenses of one’s life.

It’s costly, and potentially even more expensive if something goes wrong.

Between 2022-24, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received hundreds of complaints about general contractors in Canada.

Then, there’s home improvement scams — frequently ranked in BBB’s Scam Tracker Risk Reports as one of the riskiest scams Canadians face. Perhaps it starts with an unsolicited knock at the door, or a call from a worker offering to fix your roof or driveway. It may seem like a good deal until you pay the deposit, but the worker vanishes.

Other times, homeowners and builders simply disagree.

Contract disputes can get heated and result in financial losses for both parties. Perhaps it’s prompted by shoddy workmanship, or a picky and unrealistic homeowner who changed plans mid-project. How do you protect yourself from any of this?

Experts say get a contract. And make it detailed.