(KLFY)– Home improvement scams are on the rise.

Experts say to use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor.

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Contractor scams can happen anytime, so be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees and fly-by-night businesses.

“We are seeing more and more consumers getting involved with companies that aren’t licensed to do the work that they’re doing,” Chris Babin with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana said. “They’re taking large deposits on the front end, not following through with the project as though they said they would in the beginning, and we’re just seeing a lot of consumers out there that need to be a little bit wiser when picking contractors that they’re using.”

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Home improvement scams can start with a knock on the door, a flyer or an ad. The contractor may offer a low price or a short timeframe.

“Businesses do advertise and solicit for work, too, so you may get a phone call, email, maybe a knock on the door, ‘Hey, we’re in the neighborhood. We can do this job for you as well’. You just want to look into that business and their track record in the marketplace before you decide to go with them,” Babin said.

A dishonest contractor may find issues that significantly raise the price. If you object, they threaten to walk away and leave a half-finished product.

“Advertising online is very easy these days, creating social media profiles for businesses, advertising the work that they do but not every business out there just because they’re advertising is going to fulfill what your expectations may be,” Babin said.

Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau on how you can spot this scam:

• Watch out for red flags.

• Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, and on-site inspections.

• Ask for references and check them out. Bad contractors will be reluctant to share this information, and scammers won’t wait for you to do your homework.

• Know the law. Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing, and insurance.

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