131: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton and guest Jon Grishpul131: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton and guest Jon Grishpul
UK Health Radio Podcast
Steve Sexton talks with renovation expert Jon Grishpul about the rise of contractor fraud after storms and how homeowners can protect themselves. They focus on deposits, payment schedules, licences and AI tools that help compare bids and spot red flags before signing a contract.
44:59•30 May 2026
Storm Damage, Scams and Smart Hiring: Jon Grishpul on Protecting Your Home and Wallet
Episode Overview
- High‑stress, urgent repairs after storms create ideal conditions for predatory contractors, especially when good firms are fully booked.
- Avoid large upfront payments; Jon highlights that in California the legal maximum deposit is the lesser of £1,000 or 10%, with the rest tied to clear milestones.
- Insist on detailed written estimates and be wary of bids that are dramatically cheaper, as they often hide later cost overruns and change orders.
- Always verify a contractor’s licence, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation and recent references to reduce the risk of fraud and liability.
- Use structured payment schedules, inspections and even AI‑based bid comparison tools to spot gaps in quotes and protect both your home and finances.
“The more questions you ask and the more time you spend meeting with your contractor, the more likely you are to catch one of those red flags before it’s too late.”
How do people cope with the chaos of burst pipes, collapsed roofs and dodgy builders all at once? This episode of Saving with Steve zeros in on exactly that, shining a light on contractor fraud that spikes after winter storms and other extreme weather. Host Steve Sexton chats with home renovation specialist and Great Builds co-CEO Jon Grishpul, who spends his days helping ordinary homeowners avoid very expensive mistakes.
The conversation is aimed squarely at homeowners under pressure – those dealing with leaks, flooding, snow damage or fire fallout – and anyone who wants to protect their savings and sanity when hiring a contractor. Jon explains why “predatory contractors take advantage of situations that are high stress and high urgency”, and breaks down classic scam patterns: door‑to‑door “I’m working on your neighbour’s house” pitches, bids that are mysteriously 30–50% cheaper, and demands for big upfront payments.
He stresses that in California “the lesser of £1,000 or 10%” is the legal maximum deposit and warns that anything more is a red flag. You’ll hear simple, practical steps: patch the immediate problem first, then slow down and choose the right contractor; insist on detailed written estimates; tie every payment to clear milestones; and always verify licences, insurance and workers’ compensation.
Steve adds his own near‑disaster stories, showing how a helpful neighbour and a good designer saved his family from mould, gas leaks and spiralling costs. Jon also talks about using AI tools to compare wildly different bids, helping homeowners who “barely can change a light bulb” ask sharper questions and spot gaps before signing anything.
If your house, your wallet or your nerves are at risk from storm damage, this conversation offers practical, no‑nonsense guidance to keep your home safe and your money where it belongs. Next time a contractor says they can “start tomorrow”, will you know what to ask before saying yes?
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