The 9 Home Repair Scams Pacific Northwest Locals Fall For
Driveway sealing, roof inspections, tree work, mold remediation — the most common PNW cons and the exact scripts to shut them down.
1. The "leftover material" driveway sealcoat
The pitch: "We just finished a job up the street and have extra asphalt — we can do your driveway for cheap." Reality: Used motor oil or watered-down sealer. Washes off in 6 months. Your real driveway gets damaged. Script: "I only hire licensed pavers with a written estimate. Please leave."
2. The "free roof inspection"
The pitch: Knocks on door after a storm, climbs your roof, comes down with photos of "damage." Reality: Damage was caused by them, or doesn't exist. They want you to sign an AOB. Script: "I'll call my insurance company directly. Please write down your license number before you leave."
3. The traveling tree crew
The pitch: Out-of-state crew, low cash price for "we're already in the neighborhood." Reality: Uninsured. If they drop a tree on your house or get hurt on your property, it comes out of YOUR liability. Script: "I need to see your WA L&I, OR CCB, or Idaho contractor license + COI before any quote."
4. The mold remediation upsell
The pitch: Small leak fixed → contractor finds "extensive mold" → $8k bill. Reality: Most surface mold is a $300 cleanup. WA, OR, and ID don't require mold remediation licenses, so anyone can claim expertise. Script: Get an independent industrial hygienist ($300–$500) to test BEFORE remediation. Different company from the one quoting the cleanup.
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5. The "permit isn't necessary" line
The pitch: "We can skip the permit and save you $2k." Reality: Unpermitted work tanks resale value, voids your insurance if it causes damage, and triggers fines when the city finds out (and they do). Script: "Permits go in your name as the contractor of record. Otherwise no deal."
6. The deposit grab
The pitch: "I need 50% down to order materials." Then disappears. Reality: Deposit requirements vary by state, contract, and project. Never pay the full amount upfront, and put a written milestone payment schedule in the contract. Script: Pay only with credit card or check. Never cash. Never wire transfer. Never Zelle.
7. The handyman doing licensed trade work
The pitch: "I can rewire that for you, no problem." Reality: WA/OR/ID all require state journey-level electrical, plumbing, and HVAC licenses. A general handyman doing it = illegal + uninsurable. Script: "I need to see your trade license, not just a general contractor card."
8. The high-pressure "today only" close
The pitch: Window replacement, solar, HVAC — "If you sign today, $5k discount." Reality: That discount exists every day. It's a closing tactic that hides bad financing or inflated base price. Script: "Any honest deal is still good tomorrow. Leave the quote, I'll call you."
9. The fake online review profile
Reality: Some contractors buy 5-star reviews. Cross-check on:
- WA L&I lookup — see infractions
- OR CCB — see complaints
- BBB — see resolution history
- PNW Small Business directory — verified + locally vouched
→ Use Find a Pro — every business is license-checked and insurance-verified before we route a lead.
Common questions
What are the biggest red flags of a home repair scam?+
Door-to-door pressure, cash-only demands, a large up-front payment, no written contract, and no verifiable license or bond. Any one of those is reason to stop.
How do I verify a contractor is real?+
Look them up on the state's license lookup (L&I in WA, CCB in OR, DOPL in ID), confirm the business name matches, and check that the bond and insurance are active.
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