Dad always said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

We’ve gotten some prices for re-doing our driveway. it’s a big project and will require more than just smearing some black goo on it. The estimates have had a major OUCH factor, so we’ve been debating if we can put it off another year or two.

The other day a guy came by, trolling for business. He offered me a “real deal” and quoted a number. I said that I needed a written estimate. He said he didn’t usually do estimates, but he would for me. (WHAT? Alarm bell #1.) His company’s price was about $8000 (yes! THOUSAND) less than the lowest bid. He said that the deal was only good “for a week” but the signed estimate said it was good for 30 days. (When I questioned him on that he said he misspoke. Uh huh.)

This morning, I took the written estimate and looked up the company’s MHIC number. It is not a valid number on the Maryland Home Improvement Commission website. The business is not listed as being registered with the State of Maryland, either.

Do you smell a rat? We do. 🙂 Nice try, dude, but I don’t THINK so.