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In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Jon Grishpul, Co-CEO of Maxable, an industry-leading ADU design, build, and management platform guiding homeowners through their projects from start to finish. Jon is also Co-CEO of GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners with rigorously pre-screened, reputable general contractors.

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When urgent repairs are needed, scammers often pose as licensed contractors and pressure homeowners into quick decisions. With billions lost to home improvement fraud, knowing what to watch for is critical.

Today's guest, Jon, joins us to explain why winter storms and extreme weather events consistently lead to spikes in contractor fraud, what makes storm-damaged homeowners especially vulnerable compared to someone planning a renovation under normal circumstances, and what these fraud cases typically look like when a homeowner first realizes something has gone wrong.

He shares the most common red flags that should immediately give homeowners pause when it comes to contractor bids and how they can slow the process down without risking more damage to their home.

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Jon also provides insight on the following:

- How vague or incomplete estimates can turn into massive cost overruns once work begins

- The biggest mistakes homeowners make when it comes to deposits, payment schedules, and contracts after a storm

- What homeowners should always confirm before hiring a contractor, no matter how urgent the situation feels

- How AI is changing the way homeowners can evaluate contractor bids, especially when they do not have construction experience

- The single most important step homeowners should take before signing a repair agreement

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Jon Grishpul, Co-CEO of GreatBuildz and Co-CEO of Maxable, is a home renovation expert with deep experience helping homeowners navigate contractor selection, avoid costly bid traps, and protect themselves from fraud.

Jon works closely with consumers during high-risk moments like post-storm recovery and is an expert when it comes to breaking down the warning signs, the mistakes people make under pressure, and what homeowners should do before they hand over a dollar.

GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors, and then provides ongoing support to ensure a stress-free renovation experience.

Great contractors can be hard to find, but GreatBuildz does the searching and screening for you, and they strive to improve the renovation experience from start to finish

Maxable is an industry-leading ADU (accessory dwelling unit) design, build, and management platform guiding homeowners through their projects from start to finish.