Did you know there are scammers out there who attract victims by their roofs? We are talking about roofing scams. Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. has professional roofing contractors to let you know of these malicious tactics that are hurting the wallets of innocent people. You can trust the best roofers in Brandon FL. There is a reason why Lithia trusts our company so much!
What is a Roof Scam?
It seems like every year, homeowners fall victim to roofing scams. These schemes leave trusting families short on money and stuck with a shoddy roof on their home.
Scammers typically target budget-conscious homeowners trying to manage home repairs without breaking the bank. These con-artists will often seek out neighborhoods with a high percentage of senior citizens; areas with older housing stock; and places that are prone to, or were recently hit by, major storms. They prey on people’s fears that their homes are in danger or that reputable home improvement companies are too expensive. A scammer often does fast work with low-quality materials, or — sometimes — simply takes the money and runs.
Our Roofing Contractors Say Keep an Eye Out
Unethical roofers in Brandon FL, can be hard to spot, but there are some clear warning signs that should set off alarms in your head. Keep an eye out for these four types of common roofing scams.
Storm Chasers
Worried homeowners can be easy prey for opportunistic scammers after a big storm. Some roofers, called “storm chasers,” follow bad weather events in search of damaged roofs. They often travel door-to-door, passing out leaflets and offering to repair or replace roofs that appear damaged or, in some cases, roofs that are not damaged at all. The contractor convinces homeowners that they can get a new roof for a huge discount by filing an insurance claim after a big storm. The roofer gets paid, the homeowner gets a new roof and the massive insurance company with billions of dollars cuts a check without blinking. Everyone wins, right?
How to avoid this scam: First, don’t rush into anything: storm chasers will try to take advantage of your anxiety in the aftermath of a storm, insisting that work must be done quickly. Instead, take your time, ask to see insurance and references in your area, check the status of their roofer’s license, and visit the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints filed against them.
The Low Starting Bid
Some contractors offer you a tantalizingly low price, one that’s often far lower than any other competitor in your area. But once work begins, that price could creep up due to “unforeseen problems” and inflated material costs. The costs of roofing materials do fluctuate, but a contractor shouldn’t attempt to increase the price for materials in the middle of your project.
How to avoid this scam: Make sure you do your research first; talk to various companies about their pricing schemes. Discuss everything with your contractor beforehand and include any possible curveballs in your contract. At Long Roofing, we give one price that includes labor and material.
Mystery Damage
Your roof seems like it’s in fine shape, even after a big storm. Then, one day, you have a roofer knocking at your door, claiming he just couldn’t help but notice the damage on your roof. He points out some vague damage that you can’t really see, but he claims is a big red flag; maybe he’ll even offer to take a closer look and then comes down, grim-faced, claiming it’s a real mess up there.
How to avoid this scam: Don’t trust the Good Samaritan who just so happens to be driving by and spots serious damage to your roof from a moving vehicle. If you think there is something to the claim, then get a second opinion. Under no circumstances should you let a stranger on your roof, or should you sign a contract based on an out-of-the-blue, high-pressure sales approach.
Insurance Fraud
There are a few ways that a contractor can attempt to commit insurance fraud. One of these is by submitting two separate invoices: a lower one to the homeowner, and a more substantial invoice to the insurance company. This is fraud and could be prosecuted, which means trouble for you. Sometimes, a contractor will even claim that they’ll get enough money back from over-billing your insurance company to reimburse your deductible.
How to avoid this scam: Listen carefully to what they’re offering. If a contractor offers to pay your insurance deductible or offers other no-cost incentives, these can be signs of fraud.
Contact Us Today
We are roofing contractors you can trust. The citizens in Lithia depend on us to provide the best and most trustworthy service. Certified Roofer & General Contractors, Inc. are the best roofers in Brandon FL. Call us today for more information.