4 Scammy Contractor Discounts to Avoid At All Costs

It’s easy to get sucked in by a confident contractor knocking on your door. If they’re selling you the merits of fixing a sinking driveway or replacing your rotten window frames for a great price, it might seem like the right time to carry out overdue repairs or makeovers. However, it pays to be aware of some common scammy discounts to avoid. Otherwise, you could fall foul of renegade renovators, who can overcharge you or leave your home worse off than when they started.

I spoke to some reputable contractors, who explained that if the discount sounds too good to be true, that’s because it probably is.

“Buy Today!” Discounts

Carr Lanphier, the CEO of painting contractors Improovy, explains that the most common scammy discounts to avoid are those that create a sense of urgency, such as “one-day deals” and “limited-time bonuses.”

The goal is to pressure homeowners to make a quick decision to go with a quote, not realizing it’s way above the market norm. For example, I know someone who was once quoted $30,000 for new siding but offered a “limited-time deal” of $24,000 if they moved forward with the project within 30 days. They kept looking around and ended up getting a quote for $14,000 from another reputable company for the same project.

“If a contractor is hustling you through the quote and initial getting-to-know-you process, that’s a red flag for me,” he says. “It’s even more so when they’re introducing crazy deals you can only get if you sign with them by the end of the day.”

Low Up-Front Costs

Another tactic dodgy contractors employ is to offer low up-front costs. This is one that Bar Zakheim, CEO of Better Place Design & Build, sees often. “When people are shopping around for a contractor, they’re going to see a lot of bids, some of which will be much higher than their budget,” he explains. “People who are overwhelmed by sticker shock are especially likely to go for a lowball offer.”

If you don’t get a contract outlining a full breakdown of all the costs, you might find that the contractor adds on a whole load of extra fees as the project progresses, or the “discount” price may result in shoddy work that violates building codes.

Discount When You Pay a Large Sum Upfront

Andrew Prchal, President of Gunner, says a contractor wanting to take a hefty deposit upfront is a red flag—even if they claim that this will result in a discount on the job overall. “This is an easy way to give away a lot of your money without any promise the work will be done or completed to satisfaction,” he says. “We do see a lot of situations where fraudulent contractors collect deposits and leave.”

While it’s normal for contractors to request a deposit for larger renovation projects, be wary if it’s over 25% of the total cost of the job.

Leftover Materials Discount

Another scammy discount to avoid is when a contractor claims they have material leftover from a previous job, allowing them to offer a lower price if you go ahead immediately. If they’re using old materials, you don’t know where they were sourced or stored, how long they have been lying there, and whether they will even have enough to cover your job.

You don’t want to use materials that sacrifice quality or don’t match your design vision. Instead, rely on contractors that clearly price their jobs based on labor, materials and project scope.

How To Avoid Misleading Discounts

Doing your homework and taking some simple precautions will help you distinguish between an honest contractor and one pushing dodgy discounts.

• Avoid deals that induce anxiety: “Stay away from deals that are basically using fear tactics and scarcity to drive sales,” Prchal says. “If a deal is making you feel pressured and anxious, that is reflective of the entire experience.”
• Tread carefully with door-to-door callers: A reputable contractor isn’t likely to need to drum up business by pounding the pavement and offering big discounts.
• Get multiple quotes: “The best way of proving you’re getting the best price, is getting multiple prices from multiple people,” Lanphier says. “I’ve found that when homeowners are planning for the process to take some time, it can be easier for them to turn down pushy, scammy contractors.”
• Read the fine print: “Don’t compare top-line numbers and don’t get distracted by flashy concept drawings or brochure,” Zakheim says.
• Check a contractor’s credentials: Reputable professionals can demonstrate they have the right licenses, bonds and contractors insurance.
• Peruse their reviews: Check what other customers are saying before diving in with a discounted deal that can lead to contractor problems.

About the Experts

• Andrew Prchal is the Co-Founder of Gunner Roofing, a national roofing contractors association member and general contractor specializing in roofing, siding and windows; email interview, Mar. 27, 2025.
• Carr Lanphier is the CEO of Improovy, a next-gen house painting service created by a team of industry experts, connecting fully licensed and bonded painting professionals with homeowners; email interview, Mar. 5, 2025.
• Bar Zakheim is the CEO of Better Place Design & Build, a premier licensed home remodeling and general contractor company specializing in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), garage conversions, and room additions in San Diego; email interview, Mar. 1, 2025.

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