Unfortunately, many homeowners become victims of roofing scams each year. It can be harder to avoid roofing scams than other kinds of scams because you only buy a new roof a few times in your lifetime. You may not know what to look for when it comes to roofing scams. So, here’s an explanation of some of the most common roofing scams and how to protect yourself from them.
Unnecessary Repairs
Some unscrupulous roofers will make unnecessary repairs on your roof. They’ll come by your house and offer to do a free inspection, and they’ll pretend that they uncovered a serious problem with your roof. Sometimes they’ll show a picture of someone else’s damaged roof. Or, they’ll show you a picture of your real roof and pretend a normal part of the roof is a problem. You may end up paying for roof work you never even needed.
How to protect yourself: Always get multiple quotes for roofing work. At least one of the other companies you talk to will point out the fraud of the first roofer who approached you.
Fake Roof Damage
It’s common for poor roofers to take that first scam one step further. Instead of pretending there is damage, they’ll create the damage. If you hear banging while someone is up on your roof, they could be creating the damage, not looking for it. Other roofers will make roof work worse, in order to ensure your insurance company covers it, which is fraud.
How to protect yourself: Don’t let people up on your roof unless they’re from a roofing company you called. Wait until your insurance company has investigated before you sign paperwork or agree to let a roofer do work on your roof.
Dishonest Storm Chasers
Storm chasers are rarely even certified roofers. They simply go anywhere there was storm damage, and offer lowball prices, or create roof damage, in order to take advantage of stressed homeowners. They do poor work, collect their money, and leave town. It then becomes a huge challenge for you to sue them or hold them responsible for poor work.
How to protect yourself: Ask for the insurance and license of any company before you let them on your roof. If the roofing company has a license in another state, ask them why they aren’t working in that state. Also, get a few more quotes from local companies before you agree to any work.
Increasing Quotes
Imagine you’ve chosen a roofer and agreed to a price. Then, they return to you and say that they have to increase the price, due to rising material costs or a problem they didn’t notice on the roof the first time. You end up paying more than you thought you would, sometimes unnecessarily.
How to protect yourself: Avoid accepting a quote that is a suspicious amount lower than the others you’ve gotten. Then, ask for proof if the contractors quote increases. For example, if the cost of roofing supplies really has gone up, the supplier can prove that. Or, if the decking beneath the shingles is more damaged than expected, the roofer should be able to show you pictures of it.
The best way to protect yourself from roofing scams is to ask for second opinions from other professionals, and trust your gut when something seems wrong.