When it’s time to repair or replace your roof, it’s important to find an honest and reputable roofing company. And, unfortunately, there are some not-so-honest ones out there. Some contractors are looking to make a quick buck off unsuspecting homeowners with a few common roofing scams. It’s important to know what to look for and to vet your local roofer, so your project turns out flawless.
The Top 5 Roofing Scams
1. Storm Chasers
Severe weather brings more than just rain, wind, and dark clouds. It brings roofers from across the Southeast looking to swindle homeowners after a big storm rolls through your area. They’ll appear on your doorstep claiming your roof has damage from the storm. They’ll even offer to fix it for a discount. But, what’s wrong with that?
An out-of-town roofing company may not know what’s best for your home. Chances are, these contractors rolled into town after the storm and will roll back out quickly after. Leaving you with a roof that’s poorly done and no one to be held accountable. Not to mention, a poorly done job can cause more roof damage later down the road. You can avoid this roofing scam by thoroughly vetting your roofer. In the wake of a storm, you’ll want a local, reputable roofing company. Stanley’s team of storm damage experts work with you.
2. Low Upfront Cost
We get it, there are plenty of other uses for your money besides a new roof. So, you might go looking for a budget roofer to try and save your hard-earned money. The problem is, many low-cost roofers usually come with low-quality work. Or, they start with a low bid and raise the price halfway through the project.
This is a common roofing repair scam that will have you stuck with more charges than you anticipated. Find a roofer that is transparent about their costs, taxes, and labor charges. If their estimate seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3. High Pressure Sales
If you don’t want to spend money on a new roof or luxury roofing materials, you don’t have to. You might run into a pushy roofing company, really wanting to make some money. This can be uncomfortable, especially if your roof isn’t in bad condition or you’re just looking for a minor repair. If a roofing salesperson is pushing hard, it’s a sign their business might be struggling.
Repairing or replacing your roof is an important decision, and you don’t need to be pressured or rushed into it. So, trust your gut if a company feels too pushy and, as always, be sure to ask lots of questions to protect yourself from roofing scams.
4. Cheap Materials
When a roofer uses subpar materials, your roof is not going to last you as long as it should. So, although it may cost less upfront, you’ll end up paying to replace it sooner. It’s important to ask what types of materials your roofing contractor uses and if they have any material certifications. For instance, Stanley’s is certified by Certainteed, Tamko, and Owens Corning to provide high-quality and eco-friendly shingle options.
5. Mystery Damage
We’ve seen this time and time again. Your roof is in fine condition, it isn’t leaking, and it isn’t very old. Yet, many roofers will try to convince you there’s damage needing to be fixed. This could indicate a roofing scam, or a roofer trying to get more money for work that doesn’t need to be done. Be sure to get proof of any damages and ask a reputable roofing company for a second opinion.
Get an estimate from Stanley’s Roofing, Inc.
We’ve been trusted by Central Florida home and business owners for 35+ years and will continue to earn that trust from every customer we work with. And, while it’s good to look out for these roofing scams, you don’t need to worry about them when working with us. Give us a call today at (407) 714-8623 to get started on your roofing project today.