A new roof installation or roof repair can seem a daunting task to have to tackle.
Because a roof is so important to the structure of your home, these jobs cannot really be ignored. But as many Venice and Englewood homeowners may not really understand what is involved in the process, the situation is prime for scammers to move in. This is especially true when there is an emergency.
If you are staring down a necessary roofing project, how can you identify and avoid roofing scams? We are here to help.
Identifying Common Roofing Scams
- Deposit Scammers: It is common practice to require some deposit money up front, generally to cover the roofing company’s costs and to protect them from non-payment. However, those running roofing scams will often accept your deposit, and never be seen again. One red flag is if they ask for significantly more than the accepted 30% deposit. However, many will abscond with any payment you give them.
- Storm Chasers: If you have lived in South Florida long enough, you’ve heard the horror stories. After a major hurricane, there are blue tarps as far as the eye can see. Roofing contractors are booked solid for months. A desperate homeowner may be thrilled to hear of a roofing company which is available to do the work and may even be willing to forgo some of the formalities. This is where the scam takes place – the fly-by-night company ascertains how much insurance will pay, then they use shoddy materials or install a substandard roof, pocketing the full reimbursement for a quality roof. By the time you realize you have been scammed, they are long gone.
- High Pressure or Door-to-Door Sales: To be sure, there are legitimate companies who employ door to door salesmen. But if the person on your doorstep is pressuring you to sign a high dollar, binding agreement without explaining all the details – step back and reevaluate. Another common doorstep ploy is to offer a free roof inspection in order to provide a free estimate. It all sounds on the up-and-up, but common scams include damaging your roof tiles in order to “prove” you need a new roof, or even show you a photo of a badly damaged roof which is not yours. They are banking on the fact that you are not aware of the condition of your roof (many homeowners are not).
- “Too Good to Be True” Estimates : Every homeowner wants a good deal, and many are looking for ways to cut costs. However, if a roofing contractor presents you with an estimate which is significantly under all others, you should see a red flag. Look carefully at all roofing estimates to determine where the difference lies – in almost all cases, the roofing scam involves getting the contract, beginning the work, and then running into an “unexpected problem”, hiking your rate up unexpectedly to the same (or even higher) as the original bidders.
How to Avoid Roofing Scams
Thankfully, the remedy to all roofing scams is essentially the same. Never do business with a firm unless they have a good reputation in town, a verifiable connection to the community, and are licensed and insured. (Check Florida license status here.)
A legitimate roofing contractor is willing to patiently sit with you to discuss realistic options and price points, and will not pressure you to sign something you do not understand.
Here’s a Tip: Have your roof inspected annually so that you are aware of your roof’s general condition, age, and length of expected remaining life.
Kingdom Roofing is family-owned and has been in the Venice and North Port community for decades. We are not only roofing experts, but we also own and operate a general contracting firm – meaning that you get the reputation, experience, and customer service you deserve. Don’t fall victim to a roofing scam – call us today.
