‘I was taken,’ screams driver who pays $12,360 after shoddy driveway makeover – he got $700 but couldn’t say no

A DRIVER ended up with a crumbling sidewalk after paying a construction crew almost $12,000 more than the initial quote.

Weeds began snaking through a thin layer of pavement days after a Florida resident said construction crews offered him a marked layer of asphalt.

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“Every time I walk out that door, I get upset. I was taken,” Donald Hutchinson told the Tampa-based NBC affiliate. WFLA.

Hutchinson said a traveling paving company knocked on his door and offered him a low-cost deal to transform his driveway.

The crew gave him a quote of $700. He claims the crew offered the low price because they had leftover asphalt from a nearby project.

But when construction was completed, they charged Hutchinson $12,360.

Hutchinson said he had to pay a high price for his safety.

“I felt intimidated,” he said.

“The guy was bigger. The people on his team were bigger.”

Hutchinson wrote a check to the crew which he said was immediately cashed.

The expensive home repair was not sustainable over time.

Truck tire tracks have appeared on the cement surface, crabgrass has broken through cracks in the pavement, and the edges are crumbling.

Hutchinson said he called the number on the receipt. Calls were not returned.

“I just hope no one else lets these people come in and scam them like they did me,” Hutchinson said.

However, dozens of people were victims of the scam, according to WFLA.

Traveling construction workers offered low-cost car payment refunds to dozens of elderly residents before charging an exorbitant price.

Crews lay a thin layer of pavement over the lawn without digging the grass, the station reported.

How to Avoid a Contractor Scam

Tips to avoid being scammed on a curb, curb or walkway job:

Just because someone shows up at your door wearing a reflective vest, hard hat, and work boots doesn’t mean they come from a reputable contracting company.

A scammer may tell you that they could repave a sidewalk, walkway or driveway for a much cheaper price than the previous contractor told you, appealing to homeowners looking to save thousands on home repairs.

Before you write a check or pay cash for what seems like an offer that’s too good to be true, here are some tips to make sure it’s not a scam.

1. Get three quotes from three different companies to see the variation in prices.
2. Never pay in advance. A reputable company will not accept money upfront as prices vary depending on the job and complications can increase the price.
3. Ask for a contractor’s license. In many states, if you ask to see the license, contractors are legally required to present it.
4. Avoid door-to-door salespeople who say they are in the area working. They often take a deposit and never show up.
5. Avoid paying by cashier’s check, cash or bank transfer. Paying by credit card is the easiest way to dispute if it is fraud.
6. Keep communication in writing, such as email or text, to help protect you if things need to be handled legally and a police report is required.
7. Don’t feel pressured to make an immediate decision. Sometimes scammers create a sense of urgency, but it’s important to take a step back and do some research.

Read more here.

Homeowners are left with a decaying sidewalk days after the renovation project.

And residents lost thousands of dollars. The station reported that other homeowners were scammed out of $4,000 to $10,000.

However, there is a way to protect residents from falling victim to the scam.

Drivers should compare prices from several companies before signing the dotted line.

If a company offers a price well below its competitors, this is usually a warning sign.

All communications must be made in writing.

Additionally, homeowners should remain vigilant during the transition to intense summer weather, the station said.

Most paving companies look to make a profit during the early summer.