Two company names being misused in Ottawa renovation scam

Ottawa police are warning the public of fraudulent renovation service companies showing up at people’s doors.

According to officials, in this scam homeowners can end up with more damage to their roof or chimney than they began with. Often the “contractor” does not complete the work properly and can cause unsafe conditions.

The scammers claim that repair work is needed, but once they start they say “damage is more extensive.” From there, the “repair estimates” rise significantly.

“At this point, the chimney has been dismantled to varying degrees so the homeowner feels the need to proceed and get repairs completed,” police wrote in a press release.

If the accused are confronted they may leave the homeowner with further damage that needs to be repaired by a real professional. It’s also possible they say the repairs are complete, but police warn, they are not up to standard and would still need a professional to finish the project.

Two company names are being misused by the scammers: Paul Clark Masonry and Red Leaf Construction. The workers showing up at the door have Scottish or Irish accents.

“While most contractors are reputable, be skeptical of any that ask you for a significant deposit of money upfront or offer incredibly low deals,” police said. “And if they are pressuring you to respond quickly, just walk away.”

Officials also say that homeowners should get everything in writing before handing over money, and paperwork should include details of the exact work and an agreed monetary limit.

All scam incidents can be reported to the Ottawa police website.