How Can I Protect Myself from Roofing Scams?

Storm can cause roofs to blow off of houses, which makes it ideal for scammers to rip you foo, too.

Make sure you are prepared to protect yourself against roofing scams by watching out for contractors who show up unannounced after a storm hits. It could save you a lot of money, time, and embarrassment.

What are roofing scams and how can I avoid them?

It is a fact that the roofing and contractor scams are a reality and they can cost you a good amount of money for nothing. They will always show up when a storm ends and they would simply come and claim that your roof is damaged and in actuality, it is not damaged.

However, when you actually have a damaged roof after a storm, they would claim that they can repair or fix it and would ask you to pay a good lump sum amount at the start and they would just do the work for show instead of repairing the roof.

Moreover, homeowners should also look out for those roofing contractors who just want to repair their roofs at any cost and are ready to even deal with an insurance company on their own or just want this job badly. These are not the right people for your roof.

Once they get sorted things out with the insurance company, they might even take your money and you might not be seeing them again in your life. It is always best to contact your insurance agents before you assign any kind of benefits to the contractor directly.

In addition to using established local contractors, requesting to see a contractor’s state or local licenses, and not paying with cash in advances, the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud provides several tips to avoid roofing scams.

Steps you can take to choose the right contractor

No matter what time of year it is, if you need roofing repair or installation, make sure you read our article on 10 questions you should ask before choosing a roofing contractor. Here are just a few to get you started:

Is the company properly licensed for the job?

Does the company carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance?

Are there more than three testimonials or references you can check?

Always Be Present

Make sure that you are present when an inspection is conducted to make sure there is no intentional damage.

Don’t Pay Large Down Payments

While down payments are to be expected, a contractor who requires them (especially if they are in cash) before the job is completed is not one you should hire.

Be Wary of Door-to-Door Contractors

Most areas require door-to-door solicitors to have solicitation permits. If you are ever approached by a suspected roofing contractor, ask for their permit and identification. Lastly, find out what a real solicitation permit looks like so you can spot a fake one if you come across one.

Check for Their Contractor’s License

To ensure that no damage is being purposely caused, always be present while an inspection is being carried out.

Ask for Permits

A roofing company should also pull the necessary building permits before they begin any roofing service. Make sure that the name on the permit matches the company’s name.

If you have questions reach out to our vetted contractor LA Roof Crafters or get in touch with us here at Louisiana Landsource. Landsource can help you with expert land for sale in Louisiana like LA Roof Crafters or lean on our decades of real estate experience in Louisiana to prepare for your home improvement project.00