You know the old adage: if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This can be said for many of the roofing scams out there today.
Your home’s roof is one of its most important systems. It can also be one of its biggest expenses should you need to replace or repair it. That is what makes roof scams so unfortunate. In your quest to spend less on your roof, you end up being taken advantage of by unscrupulous scammers. Don’t let this happen to you.
“Free Roof” Scam
Each year, homeowners are targeted by roofing scams that offer a “free roof”. These scammers typically look for an older neighborhood or one that may have been hit by a big storm. Of course, a “free roof” sounds too good to be true but scammers have a narrative that can make it sound completely feasible.
In essence, the roof scammer will assure the homeowner that insurance will pay for the new roof. They will then go on to offer some options for the homeowner to save money. They may offer to pay or reimburse the insurance deductible. They may go so far as to offer to inflate the invoice to cover the deductible.
Unfortunately, this is called insurance fraud and is in violation of state law. Roofing scammers who have no problem with fraud also have no problem with leaving you with an incomplete roof or a shoddy one as they happily skip town with your money.
Unsolicited Offers
If you have a roofer come to your door handing out fliers, you want to consider this a red flag. This may happen after a weather event where companies will hit whole neighborhoods offering roof repairs.
Even if you consider the roofer a well-regarded contractor, take a step back if you feel you’re being rushed into a contract. Make sure to do your homework on the company and ask for references that are in your community as well as a copy of their insurance and business license.
Unusually Low Bids
The lowest bid is not always the best one. These companies that will bid low do so to get the job and then find ways to tack on costs. The cost of your job should never go up while they are mid-project. Make sure the contractor has set a price before they start work and compare this with other quotes.
Mystery Damage
If the roofer goes up to the roof and claims there is damage that you can’t see or, worse yet, if the roofer actually goes up and creates damage that wasn’t there before, you have a problem. Beware the roofer that says he was just “driving by” and happened to notice damage to your roof. Always get a second or third opinion.
The best way of avoiding roof scams is to work with a trusted local company. A legitimate roofing contractor in San Jose will be glad to offer references, a copy of a business license and insurance as well as answer any pertinent questions and concerns. For more information about protecting yourself from roof scams or for a professional roof repair quote, call us at Falcon Roofing and we would be happy to answer your questions.
SAN JOSE