10 Ways to Steer Clear of Gutter Cleaning Scams

On any given day, nefarious individuals use clever gutter cleaning scams designed to get money from you for little to no work.

Their schemes are predicated on the notion that most people despise the task of repairing or cleaning their gutters; and you're either looking for or willing to entertain someone who can handle these chores for a reasonable fee.

Just as everything that glitters isn’t gold, every offer to clean your gutters isn’t legit. Continue reading to learn a few simple, but effective ways you can avoid gutter cleaning scams and gutter repair scams.

1. Just Say No to On-the-Spot Solutions

If someone approaches you via door-to-door sales looking to provide on-the-spot gutter cleaning, you should just say no. Unfortunately, they were not “just in the neighborhood.” Don’t be concerned with offending them and let them know you’re not interested.

2. Don’t Pay In Advance

No reputable gutter repair or gutter cleaning company will ever ask you to pay for their services in full before they begin the job. While a deposit is okay; if someone asks you to pay entirely for a service before the work is completed, it’s likely they’re running a gutter cleaning scam or gutter repair scam.

3. Never Let Strangers in Your Home

If a contractor is cleaning your gutters — attached to your roof — why would they need access to your home? If a contractor you do not know asks to enter your home, you should always say no.

Some may even come up with clever excuses like needing to use your phone or “inspecting” your gutters for internal leaks. Unless you’ve had previous dealings with the gutter cleaner, you should never – ever let them into your home.

4. Research Contractors

Prior to starting any work on your home, you should always do your own due diligence. Simply get the name of the contractor and look them up on the web. Check their website, reviews, customer testimonials, and make sure they have a physical address and phone number answered by the company. If these litmus tests do not check out, it may be a gutter cleaning scam artist.

5. Gutter Cleaning Scams Are Usually Time-Sensitive “Deals”

Many gutter cleaning scam artists and gutter repair scams are based on time sensitive deals that are too hard to believe. They work to create a sense of urgency to make you feel as if you need to make a decision immediately. This is a common tactic used by salespeople; and even if it is a legitimate deal, it’s probably not that great.

6. Check the License

Prior to allowing anyone to do work on your home, you should always ask to see their contractor’s license. If they tell you gutter repair and gutter cleaners are not required to be licensed, you should confirm this before hiring them.

7. Insurance Is a Must

Even if the contractor isn’t required to have licensure in your area, they should have the appropriate insurance. Roof cleaning and gutter cleanings are very dangerous jobs, and the contractor should have insurance to protect you in the event someone is injured. If someone is injured while working on your home and the contractor doesn’t have insurance, you could be left to foot their medical bills as well as be subject to lawsuits.

8. No Agreement – No Go

Before you consent to an installation or repair job, it’s imperative to get a written agreement. Most gutter cleaning scam artists or gutter repair scam artists will immediately become befuddled when you ask for an agreement. Even if they’re able to create one, you should wait a day or two before signing the agreement to ensure the contractor is legit.

9. Avoid Gutter Cleaning Scams by Trusting Your Gut

When in doubt, simply walk away. Anytime you feel the least bit of discomfort, don’t agree to anything. Even if you unsure the person you’re dealing with is running a gutter cleaning scam, it’s okay to walk away.

10. Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island

While the other nine tips for avoiding gutter cleaning scams may be helpful, the most effective way to avoid gutter repair scams is to go with the name you can trust. Since 1965, Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island has been helping homeowners keep their homes functional and beautiful.

In addition to gutter cleaning and gutter repair, we offer several home repair and maintenance services to keep your home in tip top shape, including: