Homeowners in Kingston, Ontario, are being warned about door-to-door paving crews offering cheap driveway work, asking for cash up front, and leaving some residents with unfinished jobs or debris on the property.
The Whig-Standard reported that police issued a fresh warning as paving scammers target Kingston homeowners during the warmer months, when driveway repairs and other outdoor projects are easier to sell at the door.
Kingston Police said the pitch often starts with someone claiming they are already working nearby and can offer immediate paving at a reduced price because materials or equipment are available.
The warning applies beyond one city. Driveway paving, roofing, tree work, landscaping, and storm repairs are all home projects where a fast cash deal can become hard to trace once the crew leaves.
The Pitch Starts With a Discounted Driveway Job
Police listed several red flags: contractors claiming they are working nearby, special pricing because of leftover materials, requests for large cash payments up front, prices that seem too good to be true, high-pressure sales tactics, and people selling paving or contracting services door to door.
Kingston Police said victims are often asked to pay before work begins. Some are left with incomplete work, poor-quality paving, or piles of excavated asphalt and debris abandoned on the property, sometimes blocking the roadway.
A legitimate driveway job usually involves more than a quick price at the door. The contractor should inspect the area, discuss the base, drainage, materials, thickness, cleanup, warranty, work schedule, and payment terms before any agreement is signed.
Paperwork and Websites Can Still Be Fake
Kingston Police said fraudulent contractors may use professional-looking websites, contracts, invoices, and advertising materials to appear legitimate.
A flyer, printed invoice, vehicle logo, or website should not be the only proof. Homeowners should search the business name separately, check whether the address is real, compare reviews on more than one site, ask for local references, and avoid calling only the number printed on the door-to-door paperwork.
Anyone who feels pressured to decide immediately should stop the conversation. A contractor who refuses to let a homeowner compare estimates, verify the business, or read the contract away from the door is creating the same pressure pattern police warned about.
Ontario Says to Get Three Written Estimates
Ontario’s consumer guidance tells homeowners to get written estimates from at least three contractors and never accept an estimate over the phone or without the contractor inspecting the area.
For driveway paving, the province says a good contractor should ask how the driveway will be used, including whether heavy vehicles will be parked on it. That question can affect the work, materials, and preparation needed for the job.
A written contract should include the contractor’s name, address, contact information, a clear description of the project, materials to be used, total cost, payment schedule, work schedule, warranty details, and who is responsible for cleanup.
Large Cash Payments Should Stop the Deal
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Kingston Police told residents to be cautious when a contractor asks for a large cash payment up front. Ontario also recommends keeping down payments to a minimum, with no more than 10%, and says homeowners should never pay the full amount before the work is done.
If a homeowner pays in cash, Ontario says they should get a detailed, signed receipt from the contractor. Without a paper trail, a bad driveway job, missing deposit, or abandoned debris pile can be harder to prove later.
Ontario says a home renovation or repair contract worth $50 or more and signed in the home comes with a 10-calendar-day cooling-off period. The homeowner can cancel during that period without cancellation fees, although they may owe reasonable compensation if they asked the contractor to start work and materials or services were already provided.
Kingston Police asked anyone approached by individuals matching the scam pattern, or anyone who believes they were victimized, to call 613-549-4660 ext. 0. Anonymous information can be provided through the same number by asking to remain anonymous.
Before any paving work begins, homeowners should have a written estimate, a verified business address, a signed contract, a small deposit, a receipt for any payment, and enough time to compare the offer with other contractors.