Sad to say, stories about crooked roofers are all too common. Have you ever fallen into their trap? Usually, companies like this drive around after big storms to take advantage of people who don’t know what their actual motive is.
They may point to bona fide damage such as missing tiles or shingles or branches up on the roof because of a storm. They would do that to fuel their con, but the outcomes are usually not effective. Money is given for a deposit or up-front “discounts” for repairs that are not done competently and a roofer that disappears altogether.
Protect Yourself against Roofing Scams and Con-Artists:
After a storm, it’s essential to preserve the roof from further damage because the roof is the most essential part of your house that provides safety from harsh weather conditions to your family and valuables and helps in holding the whole structure of your home. However, it is also important to prevent yourself from falling victim to roofing scams. The only thing you must do in that case is if you want to know if your roof needs fixing, should call a qualified roofer and set up an inspection. In the following ways, you can be protected from roofing scams.
- Call a professional roofer:
If it has been a while since you had your roof inspected, call a few professionals, and set up an appointment. First, ask around and see who your friends and neighbour’s use. Also, referrals from satisfied customers are sometimes the most fruitful source of new business. You can also do an Internet search to locate one in your area.
That way, you can rest easy knowing your roof is in excellent hands before and during storm season with the help of a yearly or biannual inspection.
- Don’t trust roofers who knock on your door to sell you their services:
To provide the benefit of the doubt, even a newer roofer who may be trying to drum up business will appear and dress professionally, have a website you can visit, and will have evaluations from prior customers online.
- Verify license, insurance, bonding, and other relevant listings:
In addition to checking the contractor’s license, it’s a good idea to research his reputation on online sites to see what other people have to say about the quality of his work.
The most effective method for avoiding roofing scams is to check the authenticity and verify the roofer as a reputable roofing contractor who carries the appropriate licensing.
- Get in touch with your house’s insurance provider:
In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance provider will have a list of all the reliable roofers in your area that you may call for help. Get in touch with your insurer once a contractor approaches you about a repair to verify the contractor’s legitimacy.
On the other hand, you might have coverage for any repair for the duration along with your insurance policy so, to avail of it you should contact the claims representative first.
- Get quotes from different roofing companies:
Always get at least three quotes for any significant roofing work from different roofing companies. These inspections and estimates not only provide you with the opportunity to talk to many roofing professionals, but they also allow you to compare prices and the materials/labor listed for the work.
Those who charge somewhat more may appear more qualified, experienced, and reliable in the long run, making the additional cost justified. Don’t settle for the cheapest option. In a similar vein, be wary of the lowest bidder.
Some roofing companies deliberately overestimate a job’s cost to attract more business. Remember that you always get what you pay for with any contractor or professional and that the lowest bidder is usually a con artist or a less qualified contractor.
- Keep in mind the following as you prepare your estimates:
If you’re going to get quotes from roofers, you should insist that they be precise and include rates broken down by both supplies and labour. You need to ensure that you are comparing like with like.
The greater the level of specificity in the estimations, the clearer the picture of price differences amongst providers of a particular commodity or service will be.
Conclusion:
These cautions will help you prevent roofing scams. Always remember, a reliable roofer can only provide efficient service that will be worth of money paid.
