Published: 11/24/2020

1. The Storm Chaser

While people generally know about this scheme, many still find themselves falling for it. A storm chaser is an individual or organization that follows bad weather. Upon learning of a bad storm, wind or hail, they will head to the towns that were affected, knocking on doors to solicit roofing contracts from homeowners. Typically, roofers who operate this way breeze into town and leave just as quickly. If they manage to complete the work, it’s usually subpar and a total waste of your money.

To spot a storm chaser, be wary of anyone who comes to your door with a cold (unsolicited) pitch. They may try to convince you that your roof needs to be replaced right away, hoping to elicit a panic buy. If you find yourself tempted to buy, ask to see their roofing license and proof of insurance. If they hedge on producing those items, or if anything else feels “off” there is a good chance you’ve got a storm chaser at your door.

9. The ‘Too Good To Be True’ Low Estimate

A common roofing scam involves a roofer giving you a ridiculously low estimate. This will be substantially lower than any other roofer’s quote and should be approached with extreme caution. This is often a scammer’s method of locking you into a contract with vague language that allows them to add additional fees and costs later (such as those needed for “unforeseen circumstances” or “materials price increase”). In this same vein, always be wary of roofers that provide you with a quote that is far higher than what other companies estimate.

Who is Vulnerable to Roofing Scams?

While roofing scams can happen to anyone, anywhere, there are some geographical locations that are more susceptible targets. For example, a well-populated coastal city or a city that happens to experience more severe weather occurrences (wind, rain, hail, snow, etc.) is a more likely target than others. Dishonest roofers consider homeowners in these areas to be low-hanging fruit, as it’s typically easier to disappear in a large, densly populated area that keeps legitimate roofers busy.

Another vulnerable group is the elderly. Elderly homeowners, especially those who live alone, are prime targets for scammers of all types. Along the same line, owners of older homes who aren’t home improvement-savvy are also likely to land in the sights of scammers.

Avoid Being Scammed

Your best defense is to be informed. Always check out the company’s website, read online reviews, check for complaints on bbb.org and also the county clerk’s records for any past or pending lawsuits. All of this research can be done online in minutes. Furthermore, the company should be happy to provide references to back up their workmanship and work ethic.

Always ask for their roofing license and insurance details. You can verify their licensing on your state’s licensing board website. A list of licensing board websites for the US states can be found here LINK TO https://roofonline.com/roofing-contractor-license-verification. A legitimate roofing company will be glad to provide this information to you.

Don’t rush into anything. If you suspect a problem with your roof, begin gathering information and quotes from different companies to make sure you’re not only getting the best deal but also the best fit for you. Don’t wait until you have a roofing emergency to start looking for a roofer.

Take the lead with your insurance company. When you insist on speaking directly with your insurance agent, it’s much less likely that insurance fraud can occur by the roofer. Don’t sign anything before speaking to your insurance agent first.

Read the fine print. Never sign any documents that you have not fully read and thoroughly understand. Scammers will often present you with a contract, pressuring you to sign it before reading it carefully. Sometimes, they’ll give you a “summary” of what is (supposedly) contained in the document to get you to sign faster. They may also urge you to forgo research and sign quickly by overplaying the urgency to get your roof fixed ASAP.

A Roofing Company You Can Trust

Armed with these tips and your own research, your search for a roofer should go quite smoothly, with all parties happy with the outcome of the job. As Sarasota and Bradenton’s trusted residential and commercial roofer, AKVM is happy to provide you with our licensing, insurance, references and honest answers to any questions you may have. We’ll always remain worthy of your trust and will do the job properly, on time and on budget. When you need a roof replacement from an honest, reputable roofing company, contact AKVM today.

Residential Roofing Services

Commercial Roofing Services