Finding a good roofer can be tough, especially when there are so many scammers out there. When it’s not scammers, it’s less than reputable roofers using questionable tactics to squeeze money out of unsuspecting victims. Roofing scams usually fall under the same categories and, by knowing what the most common tricks are being used by scammers, you’ll be better at sniffing them out. Here are some of the most common roofing scams, and how to avoid them.
Cheap Materials
Another thing you have to watch out for is shoddy materials. Some contractors will use materials so bad that the work will have to be patched soon after. The issues can also be deep-rooted and require you to replace the entire roof again. The only thing that can save you is research and making sure that the type of materials that will be used is down on paper.
Storm Chasing
There are actually roofers who will go door to door to hand out leaflets or ring at people’s doors after violent weather. The worst part is when they try to make people think that they could get away with filing an insurance claim after a storm and get a roof practically for free. However, the work of these “contractors” is often sub-par and could last half as long as it should. Not only that but they might actually skip town once they’ve swindled enough people. Also, beware of roofers who come to your door claiming that they just finished a job down the street and are willing to give you a discount to dispose of some of the extra material they may have.
If you want to avoid this issue, go with someone who is well established in your community and has a good reputation. If you live in Detroit, go for the best roofing company in Michigan or one that’s close to it. If you want an example, Rock Solid Exterior has been cited as the best roofing company in Michigan by many. They have a lot of history and are ready to back their work, so you won’t have to worry about them leaving town anytime soon.
Mystery Damage
Another similar scam is roofers claiming that there is some mysterious damage to your roof that only they can see. They might come after storms but they can appear at any given time. They might point out something you have never heard about and even offer a free inspection. This is when they will come down with a concerned expression on their face stating that you absolutely have to do something before it’s too late. Some have even been caught causing damage themselves.
If you’re ever concerned about damage, there are some ways that you can inspect the roof visually. Only if you spot issues or after a particularly violent incident should you contact a roofing company. These are some of the top roofing scams you have to watch out for. As long as you do your homework and you’re the one who went to them and not the opposite, you should be fine.