Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. It protects your home from the elements, gives your home the insulation it needs in cold weather, and keeps it from becoming too hot during the summers.
Because roofing is such an important part of your home, keeping it well-maintained is important. Homeowners spend between $150 – $400 every year to keep their roofs maintained, keeping up its function. Since this amount is not small, scammers often target homeowners needing roof repairs or installation.
Falling for a roofing scam can leave you with a damaged roof, lost money, or legal troubles. Identifying these scams early can save you from costly mistakes.
In this article, we will explore the signs of a roofing scam. We will also address how you can protect yourself from these scammers and always choose trusted contractors for your roofing project.
Signs of Roofing Scams
In most cases, scammers are easily detectable. They have a set pattern that allows homeowners to identify them. However, those who don’t know about these scams are likely to fall for them. To stay aware, here are the most common roofing scams:
Unsolicited Offers
Scammers are often “hunting” for clients. They use tactics like cold calls and door showups to find gullible targets. Scammers often claim they were “in the area” and noticed issues with your roof. They may even offer a free roof inspection and identify problems that don’t exist. They might even suggest you immediately go for roof replacement. Such roofers play on fear and compel homeowners to assign them contracts for a one-time-only price.
Remember that legitimate roofers don’t need to cold-call homeowners because they already have customers from their website and word-of-mouth marketing.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Scammers often use urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. They might claim their offer is only valid for a limited time or that immediate repairs are necessary. In many cases, they might keep calling you to rush you into a decision. This is the red flag that you need to identify.
Reputable roofing companies will give you time to review their proposal and won’t rush you into signing a contract.
Lack of Documentation
A big red flag is when a contractor refuses to provide written estimates, proof of licensing, or documentation from their insurance company. Roofing scammers rely on verbal agreements to avoid accountability. If they do provide documentation, you might see that it is not properly drafted or has spelling errors.
Always ask for proper documentation before proceeding with any roofing work. You also need to ask for licensing from the company to make sure that they are legitimate. A trustworthy roofer will also provide you with insurance coverage documentation from their insurance company without you asking.
Storm Chasers
After severe weather events like major storms, storm chasers may flood your neighborhood, offering quick, cheap fixes for your roof damage. These contractors often do subpar work using low-quality materials, and disappear once paid, leaving you with unresolved issues. In most cases, their work will also nullify your insurance claim if you have roofing insurance.
After a storm, minor repairs are surely needed. For these tasks, stick to local and reputable roofers with a track record of excellence like Advantage Roofing.
How to Protect Yourself from Roof Installation Scams?
Although we’ve briefly mentioned how you can save yourself from roofing scams, in this section we will explore this in more detail:
Check Credentials
The first rule of thumb is to always verify a contractor’s license and insurance. Unlicensed roofers might offer to do your roofing project at a low price. However, because they are not licensed, they will not follow industry standards and might not do safe work. This might lead you to costly repairs before they’re due.
Legitimate roofing companies have licenses and insurance. This documentation makes sure that they follow industry standards and protect you from liability in case of accidents during the project.
Research the Contractor
Before hiring, research the company online. Look for reviews, ratings, and customer feedback. Avoid contractors with poor reviews or no online presence. A trustworthy company will have a professional website and positive testimonials.
Look for online reviews on Facebook, Google Reviews, and platforms like Reddit. The reviews on these platforms will be genuine. Reputable companies will likely have a majority of positive responses from customers.
Ask for References
If reviews are not available online, it is wise to ask for references from past customers. If they are from the neighborhood, you can connect with them. Speaking to previous clients can give you insights into the contractor’s reliability, workmanship, and professionalism.
A reputable contractor will gladly provide this information. A scammer, on the other hand, might vanish after this request.
Don’t Pay Upfront
A very important thing to be sure of when drafting roofing contracts is never to give a payment upfront. Scammers often demand upfront payment and disappear after receiving it.
A legitimate contractor will require a deposit and offer a clear payment schedule tied to project milestones. Their project milestones will be set, allowing you a clear and transparent understanding of the project and its deliverables.
Finding a Reputable Roofing Contractor
Finding the right roofing contractor doesn’t have to be stressful. Start by seeking recommendations from friends and family. Research local companies with strong reputations and verified credentials. Schedule consultations to discuss your project and compare quotes.
Don’t pick the roofer with the lowest quote automatically. Do consider their licensing, insurance, and their reviews when making a decision for your roofing project. Picking the right roofer will ensure that you’re safe from costly repairs soon after.
At Advantage Roofing, we pride ourselves on transparency, quality, and customer satisfaction. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve built a reputation for excellence in roofing services. Our team is fully licensed, insured, and committed to delivering long-lasting solutions tailored to your needs. When you choose Advantage Roofing, you’re choosing peace of mind.
Conclusion
Roof installation scams are a serious threat to homeowners. Recognizing the warning signs and taking precautions can protect you from financial loss and poor workmanship.
For starters, stay away from storm chasers and roofers who cold-call and pressure you into making a decision. Always work with trusted contractors like Advantage Roofing that have licenses and proven expertise in roofing projects. Remember, a reliable contractor will always prioritize your satisfaction and deliver quality results.