Angie's List: How To Defend Against Air Duct Cleaning Scams

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Scammers are waiting to rip off your home improvement projects.

But Angie's List has a way to keep you from becoming a victim.

We all want great service at a low price, but when the price is too low, your scam detector should start beeping.

"You know a deal to clean your air ducts for $50 or $60 might not be what you expect," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "Typically air duct cleaning costs about $300 and takes two to four hours to complete."

"It's simply a bait-and-switch," said Dave Adams, an air duct cleaning professional. "They get into the house and I can tell you exactly what they're going to tell you: they're going to find mold and the price is going to go from $59 to $800 immediately."

Mold scams are common. Unscrupulous contractors may even show you evidence they actually brought in themselves. Some come extra prepared.

"They'll say it's not safe to stay in the home," said Adams. "I've even seen it where they actually carry coupons for hotels so that they tell them to leave the house. Very, very rarely, if ever, does a family need to leave the house if there is a little bit of mold found inside the air ducts."

Angie says to avoid anyone who pressures you into immediate action and to look for someone certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. A good contractor will be happy to show you the completed work, even what's been removed. That's visual evidence you can trust.

"If someone tries to scare you, then please ask them to leave," said Adams. "What I tell people is: there's enough mold in this world for me to make a living. I don't need to scare anyone and I don't need to lie to anyone."

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