Scam Watch
Specific contractor scams documented for East Texas homeowners. Know the tactics before anyone knocks on your door.
High-Risk Scams
Storm Chaser Roofers
Out-of-town contractors descend after every major storm — and many leave homeowners with poor work, failed inspections, and no recourse.
Foundation Repair Scare Tactics
A common door-to-door scam uses engineered fear about foundation damage to sell expensive repairs on homes that need little or nothing.
Door-to-Door Solar Sales
Aggressive solar salespeople use inflated production estimates, buried contract terms, and misleading savings projections to close deals that don't pencil out.
Free AC Inspection Bait-and-Switch
A "free" tune-up or inspection is used as a hook to get into your home — then the technician finds (or fabricates) expensive problems.
Also Watch For
Low-Ball Roofing Bid (Material Substitution)
A dramatically low roofing bid wins the job — then cheaper materials are quietly substituted without the homeowner's knowledge.
Water Treatment Scare Tactics (In-Home Test)
A "free" water test is used to frighten homeowners into buying a $3,000–$8,000 water treatment system they often don't need.
Fake "Energy Audit" That's Actually a Sales Call
Companies offer free energy audits that turn into high-pressure sales pitches for insulation, windows, or HVAC upgrades.
Unnecessary Refrigerant Recharge
One of the most common HVAC scams: charging for refrigerant when your system actually doesn't need it — or has a leak that recharging won't fix.
Hidden Solar Loan Dealer Fees
Solar installers earn $5,000–$15,000 in dealer fees from solar loan companies — which is added to your total cost, often without disclosure.
Sewer Inspection Camera Upsell
A routine sewer camera inspection is used to show homeowners alarming (sometimes staged) footage to sell unnecessary sewer repairs.