When a roofing company is insured, they are covered for any liability issues that can come up during the work. For example, if an insured contractor gets hurt while working on your roof, they cannot turn around and blame you for the incident.
How to Avoid a Scam Roofing Contractor
Scam businesses are readily available when you are in desperate need of services. These companies take advantage of your need and convince you they are the best to get the work done quickly. Here are some tips on how to avoid scams from roofing companies:
Scam companies will be very agreeable in conversations about the work that needs to be done. They will seem to fully understand your needs and act like they will do a great job. A contract will be provided that does not include all the small details you discussed, and their contractors will try to convince you to take their word for it. Never sign a contract that does not include all of the details. Instead, take this as a sign you should look for a higher quality roofing company.
A common practice in the roofing industry is to solicit customers after a big storm hits. Oftentimes homeowners will sustain damage to their roofs due to hail or wind that does indeed warrant a roof replacement. However, areas hit by big storms are common knowledge, not just to professional roofers, but to everyone and anyone that watches the news or is able to do a quick Google search. Because of this, homeowners in these areas become a prime target for scammers who descend on them like a pack of wolves on an injured deer.
Some types of roofing scams are not only shady, but they are also actually illegal! As aforementioned, offering waived or reimbursed deductibles is illegal and makes the scammer guilty of insurance fraud and you as the homeowner guilty of a misdemeanor criminal charge.
The last type of roofing scam is the hardest one to identify because it is often not noticed until the job is underway or months later when your new roof starts to fail. As a homeowner, it can be difficult to tell if the roofing company you hired is using the correct materials and application processes and performing all the work that needs to be done correctly. Without being a roofing expert there are a few things you can look for that can help you determine this before it is too late.
Every jurisdiction has codes for minimum R- Values. In Colorado, existing roofs without insulation in the cavity and where the sheathing or insulation is exposed during reroofing shall be insulated either above (R-30ci) or below (R-38 Flat/R-49 Attic) the sheathing. If your roofing contractor is not familiar with these requirements, it should be a red flag.
At Kapella Roofing, we always request mid-roof inspections, even though they are not required. This allows us to ensure the best possible quality for our clients and gives them peace of mind, knowing that they have chosen a professional roofing contractor. If your roofer does not request this, it might be a sign that they are looking to scam you.
Many people are being duped into paying top dollar for roof repairs and the best way to avoid falling victim to these unscrupulous businesses is to learn some of the most common, top roofing scams. These schemes are a lot like the other scam businesses and will not only cost you money, but it could potentially cost your health as well. Let us take a closer look at what these scams are about, as well as the best way to protect yourself from them. If you do decide to take the risk of hiring a professional contractor to repair your roof, then you should make sure you are well aware of the many types of scams out there, so that you can avoid them and save yourself the headache of going through the frustration of trying to figure out if they are legitimate.
It is common for roofers and contractors to charge an outrageous amount for services and repairs, but one way to avoid them is to find a contractor who offers affordable roofing solutions. Unfortunately, there are also some more than a handful of roofing scams that many consumers have fallen victim to.
Overcharging can happen in a variety of ways, including not having enough in stock to cover your existing needs and making unnecessary repairs after work has begun on a roof. Fortunately, knowing how to spot a roofer and contractor who overcharges is something all homeowners can take advantage of. Here are some common roofing scams to watch out for.
Another way that a contractor or company can charge you extra for necessary repairs is by suggesting they should be done by an unlicensed roofer rather than someone with skills and knowledge in the areas necessary. This is also a scam, as the repairs usually should be done by someone with experience performing jobs like the one to be performed on your roof. Instead of using the word "experienced" to describe their services, ask what training or education they have before they are able to provide this type of service. Also, make sure to verify their license by asking to see a copy. You want to know that the contractor or roofer has received the necessary training in the areas of roof maintenance and repair before they are ready to do this type of work.
Sometimes, a company will suggest a roof repair when they have a problem that requires a larger repair. While this is usually a legitimate repair, it is important to know the repair may be more complicated than what you initially thought. This can be a scam and can often lead to additional costs that you will not be aware of. If you suspect you may need a repair that is more complicated than the original one you were told about, it may be time to seek a new roofing company.
In densely populated areas, foreign roofing contractors will oftentimes show up at your door, offering unsolicited services to repair roofs that are in some cases, not damaged. This is a big red flag and you should watch out for it.
If the roofing contractor does not have a list of references for past clients, it is a good idea to call around before committing to hiring them. You can ask local homeowners for help. Sometimes they can point you in the direction of someone who can provide references for their roofing contractor services.
When choosing a roofing company to perform your roof repair, choose one that provides excellent customer service, works professionally, and offers quality work at an affordable price. These tips can help you avoid a roofing scam.
Choosing the right company is easy. Just make sure you find a roofing contractor that has a solid track record. It is always a good idea to choose a company that offers a guarantee on all of their work and works hard to satisfy their customers.
Most reputable Cincinnati roofing companies are not soliciting by ringing doorbells and walking door-to-door. Such sales tactics are acceptable for selling Girl Scout cookies or newspaper subscriptions, but are not appropriate for a job that may cost thousands of dollars. If some scammer is just wandering nice neighborhoods looking for some gullible homeowner to take the bait, it is best to politely decline.
You don't need any kind of license or registration or classes to be a builder, roofer or contractor in Texas. We're the only Gulf state that doesn't regulate these guys. So when there's a disaster like this, you not only get the really good competent builders, roofers and contractors, but you also get the scammers.
These are just a few examples of insurance scams. Unfortunately, there are many more. To safeguard yourself it is best that you contact a reliable, local and certified roofing contractor who is experienced in storm damage to help guide you through the red tape of the insurance claim process. Many contractors will have certified insurance experts who will handle the entire process for you.
Every year, thousands of innocent homeowners fall victim to roofing scams. Thanks to the existence of shady construction companies looking to take advantage of people and make a quick profit, many are left with holes in their pockets and improper work done on their homes. Learning how to identify a roofing scammer will help you avoid having this happen to you.
A roofing scammer is an individual or a company looking to take advantage of budget-conscious homeowners by selling goods and services that are not needed. Con-artist companies like these usually target neighborhoods with a large number of senior citizens, or first-time homeowners who have no idea how to maintain and protect their homes.
Refuse to deal with any roofing company insisting to deal directly with your insurance company. Inform these scam artists that you are aware of this type of scam, and you will report them if they attempt to do business in your area.
Storm chasers are roofers who target neighborhoods recently affected by a storm and its damage, whether from wind, hail, or rain. After a damaging storm, these contractors will go door to door and sell roof repair services. These contractors know that local roofing companies are overwhelmed after a storm, so they use computer programs and their knowledge of insurance companies to estimate the repair cost before bidding on projects to unsuspecting homeowners. Typically, these contractors start the sales process by offering potential customers a free roof inspection.
On and after July 1, 2013, every "roofing contractor" must obtain a roofing contractor registration certificate from the Kansas Attorney General in order to legally provide commercial or residential roofing services for a fee in Kansas.
You can go to jail, lose your coverage, get scammed out of the insurance check, or get sued by your insurance company for reimbursement of the claim (which could be double of the actual cost, remember they jack up the price to cover your deductible). Roofing scams are illegal. Not only can the contractor go to jail, but so can you. What can you do to avoid roofing scams? Here are some red flags:
Although storm chaser roofing scams are well-known, these types of scams are still common, especially among vulnerable groups. Storm chasers are known for showing up in towns that have been hit by tornadoes, hurricanes, and damaging winds. They pitch their scam to distraught homeowners whose roofs have been damaged by the storm. Not only do storm chasers take advantage of the misfortune of others, but they are often unlicensed and produce very poor work. 2ff7e9595c
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