Because roofing can be so expensive, it is not uncommon to come across scams in the industry, whether from those who claim to be roofers but do not actually have any qualifications or companies that take shortcuts so they can offer lower rates. Scams are particularly common following severe storms when scammers will knock on doors and offer repairs that seem too good to be true and are. Get some general tips to spot scams and learn about the most common ones so you can protect your roof and your pocket book.

Always Research The Roofing Company

A simple step that can help you avoid the vast majority of roofing scams is to do a bit of research. In today’s world with smartphones, you can confirm a company’s reputation in a matter of seconds via your favorite search engine. Look for reviews of the company, whether they have a rating (or complaints) with the Better Business Bureau, and even consider doing a search for the company with the word “scam” if you suspect they have bad intentions. Also take the time to confirm that the roofers in question have licenses and insurance before hiring anyone.

Taking the time to always research a roofing company or contractor in Austin will help you avoid a long list of scams, such as mysterious and pushy door-to-door salesmen that show up promising a free roofing inspection. In this case, they may cause damage while doing their inspection, such as tearing off a few shingles so you think there is wind damage that requires extensive repairs. This can also help you avoid storm chasers who just do the bare minimum and leave you with a still-damaged roof.

Scam To Avoid: Unnecessary Roof Repairs

One of the more common scams you will get from less reputable roofing companies is recommending repairs that are not necessary. They know that the repairs will be easy, especially if there are none needed, so they can make a nice profit. These unscrupulous roofing companies will take advantage of the fact that roofs can be complicated and the average homeowner does not understand how minor problems can be caused by other issues. Avoid the scam by always getting more than one estimate for a project. Any reputable company will tell you flat out that the service you think you need isn’t necessary. They will hope that since they were honest with you, you will recommend them to others and use their services in the future so good companies prioritize customer service.

Scam To Avoid: Low Bids That Rise

Another common scam to be on the lookout for is offering a very low bid for the project, then adding in “unforeseen” costs as the project goes along. They will claim to find new damage they hadn’t seen before, discover materials cost more than they think, or other similar things. While material prices do fluctuate, the difference should not be too significant and most roofers account for the possible fluctuations. To protect your pocketbook, be wary of bids that are much lower than the others. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Instead, stick to a reputable company with strong reviews online and you should not have any issues with scams.

Source:

https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/common-roofer-scams/