Whether your roof is old and nearing the end of its lifespan or sustained damage, you would require a reputable roofing contractor to assist you. Most roofing companies are reliable and legitimate, but unfortunately, some scammers are purely out to make money from you. We’ll explain what scams you should look out for and what you can do to avoid them.
It’s no secret that adverse weather conditions could cause damage to your roof. So you’ll notice that there are storm chaser contractors who follow severe weather patterns only to find business. They might go up to homeowners and offer a free inspection only to see what they deem to be damage. These contractors often claim that they’re working in the neighborhood and ask for a down payment. Before you know it, they’ve skipped town without completing the work.
Scam artists usually offer a lower-than-normal roof replacement cost. If the quote you receive is far below other contractors, it’s best to stay away. It’s always wise to obtain three quotations and ask each contractor what work they will be completing. Fake contractors would try to raise the costs of the job as the project progresses.
If the contractor exaggerates or can’t find the problem with your roof, you may not require the work that they recommend. It’s not uncommon for some roofers to intentionally cause damage when they’re doing the free inspection. You can combat this by obtaining more than one quotation for the assessment and repairs.
Typically, the roofing contractor must source the necessary permits to start the project. If they’re requesting you to pull the permits, it may be that they aren’t eligible to get one, or it’s expired.
You may come across a roofer who offers you leftover materials from other jobs at a discounted price. Bear in mind that the moment you agree to this, you compromise the roof’s durability.
The company you choose for roof repairs must offer a contract before commencing with the work. The contract must feature every action of work they will do and the project’s costs. If the company wants to do the job without this agreement, you’re better off staying away from them.
While not every state requires contractors to possess a license, you need to research if the state you live in does. You can ask for proof of this along with their liability insurance. Avoid hiring a roofing company that can’t provide you with either of these documents.
Before you sign an agreement that locks you in, you must be confident in the contractor and their pricing. If you come across a company that’s pressurizing you to sign the agreement, you should be skeptical. Bear in mind that sometimes the urgency is warranted, especially when dealing with price fluctuations for some materials.
A typical scam is putting up large down payments. Any reliable contractor usually requires a small deposit and the rest upon completion of the work. When you have a roofer demanding a hefty sum of money upfront, they may be trying to scam you.
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to identify professional roofing contractors to help with work on your roof. You must conduct proper research into the company that you plan on signing the agreement with. It’s easy to find information about the contractor online, where you can read reviews from their past customers. Having this data will guide you in making the correct decision.
