More Than One in Two People in Ireland Have Been Affected by Home Repair or Contractor Scams
New research from Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) highlights rising risks, from unregistered tradespeople to disappearing deposits, and reports a rise in calls and claims linked to rogue operators
- More than half of people (53%) have been affected by a home repair or contractor scam – either personally or through someone they know
- The most common issues are rogue or unregistered tradespeople (16%), contractors taking deposits and disappearing (14%), and post storm repair scams (13%)
- 11% report cyber scams linked to home renovations (including invoice redirection), while 10% have encountered fake or inflated invoices or bogus emergency repair services
- 1 in 10 (10%) say a smart home device in their household has been hacked or targeted
- While 86% feel confident they could spot a scam, 14% are not, leaving many people exposed
- 57% would report a suspected scam to Gardaí, but fewer take preventative steps – only 39% check trade body registration and 31% request written contracts or estimates
- Aviva reports a rise in calls and claims relating to rogue tradespeople, particularly after severe weather, when the demand for urgent repairs is high
More than one in two people (53%) have been affected by home repair or contractor scams, according to new research* by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva).
The most common issues include rogue or unregistered tradespeople (16%), contractors who take upfront deposits and disappear (14%) and scams following storm related damage (13%). These findings highlight the scale and sophistication of risks facing households in Ireland.
The Aviva study, conducted among 1,000 adults across Ireland, examines the types of scams people encounter, how confident they feel in recognising them, and the steps they take to reduce their exposure.
Aviva reports that these trends mirror what is happening on the ground, with increased calls and claims relating to rogue tradespeople. These cases include poor quality or incomplete work resulting in further damage, as well as customers losing money after paying for deposits for jobs never started. This aligns with national Garda data**, which shows a 43% rise in ‘bogus tradespeople’ incidents in 2025 compared with the previous year.
Growing pressure points for households
Scam activity often spikes at moments of vulnerability – particularly after severe weather, when homeowners need immediate repairs. According to the Aviva survey, this urgency creates opportunities for rogue operators to exploit.
Additional issues reported include fake or inflated invoices (10%) and bogus emergency repair workers (10%), both commonly linked to initial contact from unregistered traders.
Invoice redirection and smart home attacks
Digital threats are also increasing. At least 1 in 10 (10%) have experienced cyber scams connected to home improvements, including invoice redirection fraud where payment details are intercepted or altered.
A further 11% report hacked or targeted smart home devices, showing that households face risks both online and at the doorstep.
Confidence is high – but not universal
While a majority (86%) of people believe they can recognise a scam, 14% say they cannot - leaving a substantial number vulnerable to increasingly convincing tactics.
How to stay safe from rising scams
Aviva advises several practical steps to protect against in-person, financial and digital scams:
Be cautious of unsolicited contact, including doorstep approaches after storms or unexpected calls, texts or emails urging quick action
- Verify who you’re dealing with before agreeing to any work or payment. Many people do this by checking trade body registration (39%) and proof of insurance (22%)
- Insist on written quotes, contracts or invoices (31% take this step)
- Be wary of payment related scams, and always confirm changed bank details by phone with a trusted contact
- Avoid large upfront payments – staged payments reduce the risk of loss
- Secure smart home devices with strong passwords, two-factor authentication and regular updates
- Pause and reassess if anything feels off – scammers often rely on urgency
- Report suspicious approaches to Gardaí (57% say they would). For further advice on spotting and avoiding bogus tradespeople, visit the Gardaí’s official guidance here: bogus-traders-callers.pdf.
The research reflects what we’re seeing every day. Homeowners are often approached after storms or water damage with offers of quick, low-cost repairs that leave them worse off, especially older or more vulnerable customers. We’re also hearing of cases where bogus tradespeople claim they’ll send photos or invoices to insurers on the customer’s behalf, which is a clear warning sign. If this happens, contact your insurer’s claims team, financial advisor or broker before any work begins. The best protection is to verify who you’re dealing with, get everything in writing, double check payment details, and trust your instincts if something feels off.
Gillian Devereux, Senior Loss Adjuster at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC said:
*according to research of 1,000 adults by 3Gem Research & Insights, conducted in 2026
**according to An Garda Síochána’s Provisional Crime Statistics Year-end 2025, which can be found here.