Roofing contractors have experienced an increase in sales since 2014, going from a 3.9% increase to 14.2%.
As the population continues to grow, the demand for housing will continue to increase. Between repairing roofs on old homes and building new roofs for freshly constructed houses, there is a rising need for roofing contractors. Unfortunately, that also means an increased risk for roofing fraudsters.
This article will cover how to avoid roofing scams, so keep reading to learn more!
The Most Common Complaints
The roofing industry is one of the top 10 industries for receiving BBB complaints. You can probably attribute many of these complaints to roofing scams carried out by unqualified practitioners.
Among the complaints, the top three are unsatisfactory workmanship, inability to contact the company, and failure to start or finish the roof work.
If you’re in search of a reliable roofing contractor in the Washington, Missouri area, Shingle Tech might be the experts you’re in need of. Shingle Tech is licensed, insured, and certified. When you use our services, you can rest assured that you aren’t being scammed.
How to Avoid Roofing Scams
Shingle Tech in Washington wants to help ensure people avoid roofing fraudsters. There are several tips you can follow to help increase your chances of weeding out an inexperienced roofer or scammer.
Do Your Research
Google is your friend when it comes to searching for information on a contractor. Don’t hire a contractor because they approached you first. This is often an indicator that the contractor is still too inexperienced or is not certified and fraudulent.
A good rule to remember is that experienced, certified roofers are too busy to go knocking door-to-door in search of work. Most often, you’ll get “storm chaser” roofers. These people show up ahead of a severe storm system and often cite having seen damage on your roof (which isn’t actually there) to prey on your insecurities.
This is especially important in Washington and other areas of Missouri prone to storm and hurricane damage.
Before you hire any contractor, check out their company website and look for online reviews. Failing that, ask for references from past clients so you can get a feel for the quality of work the contractor does.
Ask for Paperwork
Any legitimate roofing contractor will be licensed, insured, and certified. While you are searching for who to hire for residential roofing, you’ll want to choose someone who is qualified and licensed. An honest company won’t have an issue providing you with paperwork if you request it. Take the time to do your research and even read roofing guides.
Insurance Fraud
If a contractor offers to cover your insurance deductible, this should raise a red flag for you. Scam artists often send a homeowner a smaller bill, then bill your insurance company a hefty sum. The scam artist then takes the surplus and puts it directly into their pocket.
Pay at the Appropriate Time
A legitimate roofing contractor won’t ask for a down payment of more than 15%, much less demand the full payment upfront. If a roofer asks for either of these, be wary.
It’s typical to pay a deposit, but you should never hand over the full payment until the job is complete and to your satisfaction. Roofing contractors that demand a full payment upfront are scam artists who generally disappear right after without the work ever even being started.
Hire a Professional You Trust
We hope this article helped provide some insight into how to avoid roofing scams. If you’re in search of a roofing contractor in Washington, then Shingle Tech can help.
Shingle Tech always follows industry-standard best practices. We are licensed and experienced at being both a general contractor and roofer.
If you need your roof repaired, contact us today.
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