Owning a home in Westchester County is a major accomplishment — and also a major responsibility. With property taxes, maintenance, renovations, landscaping, and utility bills, there’s no shortage of decisions a homeowner must make throughout the year. Unfortunately, this also means the door is wide open for scams and misleading service offers that target homeowners who are simply trying to take good care of their property.

Whether you live in Chappaqua, Pleasantville, Armonk, Scarsdale, White Plains, or any town across Westchester County, being informed is your best line of defense. Below are some of the most common scams homeowners fall for— and how to spot them before they cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

1. The “Free Roof Inspection” That Isn’t Really Free

It usually starts with a knock on the door after a storm. The person claims to be from a roofing company “currently working in the neighborhood.” They offer a free inspection to “check for storm damage.”

Here’s the catch:

• Many of these companies exaggerate or outright invent roof damage.

• They then push homeowners to sign urgent repair contracts.

• Some even pressure homeowners to file insurance claims that may be fraudulent — putting the homeowner at risk.

How to Avoid It

• Only hire licensed roofing contractors you contact first.

• Check references and online reviews (Google Reviews, Nextdoor, or the Better Business Bureau).

• Get multiple estimates before approving any repair.

Helpful resource:
https://www.bbb.org/

2. Driveway Resurfacing Scams

This one pops up every spring and summer. Someone knocks on your door claiming they have “extra asphalt or sealcoat left over from another job” and can offer you a one-time discount if you act right now.

Bad sign.

Most of these are unlicensed transient contractors. The sealant they use is often watered down, fades in weeks, and sometimes they disappear mid-job.

How to Avoid It

• Never hire someone who shows up unsolicited.

• Verify contractor licenses in New York State: https://dos.ny.gov/home-improvement-contractors

• Request a written contract and proof of insurance.

3. HVAC Tune-Ups That Turn Into Pressure Sales

Annual HVAC maintenance is important — especially in older Westchester homes. But some heating and cooling companies use tune-ups as a chance to upsell equipment replacements you don’t need.

You might hear:

• “Your system is about to fail any minute.”

• “This part is no longer manufactured.”

• “You’re wasting thousands a year in energy.”

Are some systems inefficient? Sure. But replacement should be based on age, efficiency testing, and multiple estimates, not scare tactics.

How to Avoid It

• Get written findings from inspection results.

• Always get a second opinion before replacing major systems.

• Look for companies with long-standing local reputations — not coupon flyers.

4. Overpriced Home Warranty Plans

Home warranty plans promise peace of mind — and some legitimate ones are helpful during the first year of homeownership. But many others:

• Charge high annual premiums

• Come with long exclusion lists

• Require service visits from contractors you can’t choose

• Deny claims on technicalities

Homeowners often end up paying out-of-pocket anyway.

How to Avoid It

• If considering a warranty, read the actual policy exclusions (not the brochure).

• Compare the yearly premium against likely repairs.

• Sometimes putting the same money in a home repair savings fund is smarter.

5. Solar Panel Pressure Sales

Solar panels can save money — when done correctly. However, aggressive door-to-door solar companies sometimes:

• Lock homeowners into 25–30 year financing or lease agreements

• Overstate projected energy savings

• Place liens on the home

• Make resale more complicated

The system itself may be fine — the financing is often the problem.

How to Avoid It

• Work only with reputable solar installers.

• Ask for a complete breakdown of loan or lease terms.

• Confirm whether your utility buyback rate is fixed or variable.

• Consult your real estate agent before signing anything affecting the home title.

6. Fake Water Testing & Filtration Sales

A person may show up claiming:

“Your tap water has dangerous contaminants — let me show you a test!”

The test is designed to always show ‘impurities’, even in safe water.

This leads to a high-pressure pitch for multi-thousand-dollar filtration systems, many of which are unnecessary.

How to Avoid It

• Get official water test results directly from your municipality.

• If you want filtration, consult a licensed plumber, not a salesperson.

7. “Cheaper Property Tax Appeal” Consultants

In Westchester, property taxes are significant — which makes this scam effective. Companies offer to “fight your property tax assessment” for a fee.

The problem?
Most simply submit the same form you could file yourself for free.
And not all assessments can realistically be lowered.

How to Avoid It

• Check if your town allows grievance filing on your own.

• Or consult a local real estate professional who knows true comps in your neighborhood.

The Bottom Line

Homeownership is one of your largest financial investments. And the more you know, the easier it is to avoid being taken advantage of.

The best defense:

✅ Get multiple quotes
✅ Verify licenses and insurance
✅ Never sign under pressure
✅ Ask questions — lots of them
✅ When uncertain, get a second opinion from a trusted local professional

If you ever need help evaluating a quote, contractor recommendation, renovation idea, or property-related service in Westchester, I’m always happy to be a resource.