This week, I am going to inform you of one of the most under-reported home maintenance scams you may face. Gutter cleaning is a task
often hired out, because the home owner has either a fear of heights, lack of a
proper sized ladder, is physically unable to work at higher heights, or simply
does not have the time to perform the task.
As such, when
hiring a company to clean your gutters, it is important for you to ensure the
job has been completely done. The primary reason you hear little dialogue about
this issue, is because most gutter cleaning rip-offs go undetected. Thus, the
practice goes unreported. Seldom, if ever do you hear the BBB (Better Business
Bureau) offer foolproof advice on this subject matter.
Now, I will inform you as to how gutter cleaning scams
work. The scammers will clean several feet from each downspout, as well as make
sure the downspout itself is unobstructed. This ensures that when you check
your downspouts during a rain or melting situation you will see water running
out. This leaves (yes, pun intended) you to believe your gutters were properly
cleaned. The other things that scammers do, is that they will only clean your
gutters to a level just below the top edge. Thus, from the ground their lack of
cleaning goes undetected. Another trick they use is that they will thoroughly
clean gutters that can be viewed from dormer or other higher windows.
To ensure you do not become a victim of this scam,
request pictures of all gutter lengths after having been cleaned before paying
the contractor. The pictures bring the finished product down to the ground,
where you can comfortably view the work you are about to pay for.
The benefit of using gutters is debatable. However, if
you have gutters, the benefit of thoroughly cleaning them is undeniable. If a
contractor is unwilling to provide you with pictures of the gutters cleaned
out, then you may want to consider not hiring that contractor. If the
contractors’ intent is to fully clean your gutters, finished photos will not be
an issue.
