Homeowners can be prime targets for roofing scams, especially after extreme weather events. You have already suffered roof damage. The last thing you want is a scammer on your tail. As professional residential roofing companies, we are here to give you a breakdown of some of the most common roofing scams to identify and prevent.
How to identify common roofing scams?
Some of the common roofing scams include:
- Storm chasers
- Up-front payment scams
- Fake inspections and shoddy repairs
- Deceptive insurance claims
1. Storm chasers
So-called out-of-town contractors offer their pretentious generous act of offering free inspections and claiming to find significant damage even when there might be none. You can identify a red flag here when they will pressure you to sign a contract on the spot for an inflated price. They will also offer to deal with the insurance claim on your behalf. At this point, take a step back and don’t get too impulsive to sign their contract. Tell them you will get back to them after which you must research them or their company, get references, check online, and verify their license and insurance.
2. Up-front payment scams
Some scammers demand a large (more than 50%) down payment before starting the work. They might take the money and vanish, leaving you with an unrepaired roof. Remember that reputable residential roofing companies never ask for significant upfront payment. They usually offer a payment schedule with a small down payment upfront while the final payment is due upon completion and your satisfaction.
3. Fake inspections and shoddy repairs
Let’s say you do take up a scammer on their offer and have them start repairing your roof, they offer to start repairs. The repairs they carry out will prove to be inconsistent, shoddy, incomplete, and won’t make logical sense. So, make sure you ask for detailed explanations of any problems that they point out to you. Then ask other residential roofing companies to assess your roof, give you comparative evaluations, and get reasonable quotes before proceeding.
4. Deceptive insurance claims
Some scammers might go so far as to pressure you into inflating the extent of roof damage on your insurance claim. They do this to get a higher payout which results in you committing insurance fraud, and succumbing yourself to serious consequences. Therefore, never feel pressured to exaggerate the damage to your roof as insurance companies have professionals who will arrive to assess the damage themselves. So, work directly with your insurance company on the claim process and do not let any contractor handle this event for you.
You may also like to read about:
Always compare quotes from a minimum of three reputable residential roofing companies before making a decision. When approached by contractors, verify their licenses and insurance by looking for positive online reviews and references. The key to preventing scammers from committing fraud on you is never letting them rush you into making a decision and paying them upfront. Lastly, beware of verbal agreements and always get the scope of the work, materials used, warranty details, and payment schedules documented.
