3 Common Duct Cleaning Scams & How to Avoid Them

The home maintenance industry is rife with scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners who don’t do their homework before they let contractors in their homes. Duct cleaning service is no exception. Every year, homeowners throughout the Twin Cities and the United States fall victim to air duct cleaning scams simply because they don’t know what to look for in a reputable duct cleaning company.

At Dust Doctors, we’re here to help you avoid those shady contractors. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common scams in the duct cleaning industry along with some tips for protecting yourself and your wallet.

Mold Inspection Scams

Some duct cleaning companies will offer homeowners a one-time deal on service just to get their foot in the door. Then, when they “clean” the ductwork, they’ll claim they found mold and attempt to upsell the homeowner on expensive remediation services.

If this ever happens to you, make sure you get a second opinion (and maybe even a third) before you proceed with any recommended work. It’s in your best interest to consult a certified mold inspector to determine whether there’s actually a problem.

Check out these signs that your ductwork might be growing mold.

Bait-and-Switch Coupon Deal

It’s not uncommon for unscrupulous duct cleaning companies to offer an exceptional deal or a crazy coupon on duct cleaning services just to entice unsuspecting customers. They’ll schedule a service appointment over the phone, come to the house, do a poor cleaning job, and then tell the homeowner their ducts need additional services that aren’t part of the deal.

Typically, they’ll try to sell the homeowner an upgrade (which is really just more sub-par cleaning services). Ultimately, bait-and-switch deals leave the duct system dirty and the homeowner with nothing but a lighter wallet than they had the day before.

Low-Level, Blow-and-Go Duct Cleaning

Some duct cleaning companies off a low-tier, blow-and-go service that might sound enticing given the cheap price point. In reality, this type of service doesn’t do anything for your ductwork or indoor air quality as it leaves the duct system filthy even after the contractors pack and leave.

If you’re going to get your ducts cleaned, there’s no sense in getting anything but a thorough, high-level job. What’s the point of investing in a cleaning if your ducts are still dirty when it’s done?

What Can You Do to Avoid Duct Cleaning Scams?

To protect yourself from dishonest duct cleaning contractors, do your homework. Don’t assume all air duct cleaning companies offer high-quality service. They don’t. And price isn’t the only thing that differentiates scammers from reputable companies. 

To make sure you’re hiring a duct cleaning company that prioritized high-quality service, look for these traits:

●        A track record of positive customer reviews

●        Certification from national or state organization

●        Trust signals from home services organizations like Angie’s List

●        A rating with the Better Business Bureau

The more research you do, the better you’ll be able to protect yourself. It’s also a good idea to get quotes from a least two or three companies to ensure you’re paying a reasonable rate.

Looking for a Legit Duct Cleaning Company in the Twin Cities?

If you’re on the hunt for high-quality duct cleaning service for your Twin Cities home, don’t hesitate to give our team at Dust Doctors a call! For over a decade, we’ve specialized in comprehensive duct cleaning, furnace cleaning, and a/c cleaning, and we’ve got the glowing customer reviews to prove it. To learn more or schedule service, go ahead and request a free quote or give us a call today at 651-319-9777.