New research has found that more than half of those surveyed said they have been directly impacted themselves or know someone who has fallen victim to a home-repair or contractor scam, according to research commissioned by insurer Aviva Insurance Ireland.
The most common issue is rogue or unregistered tradespeople.
This is followed by contractors taking deposits and disappearing, with post-storm repair scams another major problem.
Some 53pc of those surveyed by 3Gem Research and Insights for Aviva said they have personally experienced, or know someone who has experienced, scams affecting homeowners.
More than one in 10 reported cyber scams linked to home renovations. This includes invoice redirection.
A similar proportion have encountered fake or inflated invoices or bogus emergency repair services.
And one in 10 say a smart home device in their household has been hacked or targeted.
The researchers found that 86pc feel confident they could spot a scam, but 14pc are not, leaving many people exposed.
Most people would report a suspected scam to Gardaí, but fewer take preventative steps.
Only 39pccheck trade body registration and 31pc request written contracts or estimates.
Aviva said it has seen a rise in calls and claims relating to rogue tradespeople, particularly after severe weather, when the demand for urgent repairs is high.
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 43pc rise in “bogus tradespeople” incidents last year compared with the previous year.
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 and bogus emergency repair workers, both commonly linked to initial contact from unregistered traders.
Senior loss adjuster at Aviva Insurance Ireland Gillian Devereux said: “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.”
Ms Devereux said if this happens, householders should contact their insurer’s claims team, financial adviser 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,” she said.