It won’t be long before the spring storms begin to roll through here in the Midwest. Before they hit, we wanted to highlight some ways you could be scammed by shady roofers, especially those dishonest contractors that come knocking at your door.
Unfortunately, there are too many less-than-honorable contractors who will try any means possible to make some money off you and your insurance company. Each year, homeowners fall victim to roofing scams. These shady tactics leave trusting people like yourself with an inferior roof and short on money. Take a look at these four ways you could be scammed by an unethical roofer.
The 4 Ways You Could Be Scammed by Shady Roofers
1. Too low of a starting bid
If a bid seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Some roofers will provide a price unbelievably lower than the competitors. But after they begin working the price might increase due to “unforeseen problems” they encounter or inflated material costs. This leaves you stuck in a contract watching the cost of your new roof grow higher and higher.
Avoid this scam: Do your research before you hire a contractor providing a bid that seems unreasonably low. Talk with other roofing companies in the area to understand pricing and what you should expect to pay for replacing your roof.
2. Storm chasers
Opportunistic scammers like to take advantage of homeowners after large storms roll through. Sometimes they’ll leave a brochure on your door or go door-to-door in your neighborhood offering to repair or replace roofs that appear damaged. Sometimes they’ll exaggerate the extent of your roof’s damage and in some cases, they’ll try to convince you to replace your roof even when it isn’t damaged.
Avoid this scam: First, take your time. As a homeowner, it’s understandable to want to repair any damage after a storm. But dishonest roofers will try to take advantage of your anxiety and pressure into replacing your roof as quickly as possible.
Instead of making a hasty decision, ask to see insurance and references in your area, check the status of their roofer’s license, and read their reviews from past customers.
3. Insurance fraud
There are several ways a fraudulent contractor might try to commit insurance fraud. One way they might attempt this is by submitting two separate invoices: a lower one to you, the homeowner, and a more substantial invoice to your insurance company.
Avoid this scam: Listen to what the roofer is offering. Be alert if they offer to pay your insurance deductible or offers other no-cost incentives because these can be signs of fraud.
4. Mystery damage
As a homeowner, it’s not uncommon to do a little self-inspection of your roof after a large Midwest thunderstorm rolls through.
You’re relieved when everything appears to be okay. But soon after one of these shady roofing companies comes knocking at your door trying to convince you of vague damage that needs to be repaired. Too many unsuspecting homeowners have fallen prey to these dishonest tactics.
Avoid this scam: Don’t trust a contractor who just happens to find damage on your roof while driving by. They might offer to crawl up onto your roof to get a closer inspection of the damage. But before you agree to anything, get a second opinion if you run into this situation.
A Midwest residential roofer you can trust
At JB Roofing & Gutters, we take pride in our reputation and service, and we know the ways you could be scammed by shady roofers. If you feel like someone is trying to scam you, then give us a call at 515-964-1964. We’re always happy to provide an honest, up-front assessment of your home’s roof.
About the Author
Joe Burkhart, the driving force behind JB Roofing, has been a trusted roofing expert in Ankeny, IA, since 2006. Joe’s passion for quality craftsmanship and personalized service comes from over 20 years of hands-on experience, starting his journey in the roofing industry back in the early 1990s. JB Roofing is more than just a business to Joe—it’s a reflection of his commitment to providing reliable, long-lasting roofs that protect homes and families across Iowa.
