Most roof contractors are honest and well meaning, some are honest but incompetent and still others are out to do one thing, take your money and run. Telling the difference between the them can be daunting, but today, with wealth of information that is the internet, it’s not so bad. Taking the time to research your potential roofer can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
If you do your homework, you can largely avoid these scams and bad roofers but a lot of these people are very clever and convincing. These common scams are common because they are so successful but with a little research you can avoid these crooks and ensure the person you hire to fix your problem doesn’t make matters worse.
The more you know about these scams and bad business practices that may skirt the edge of the law, the better you can protect yourself .The following are the most common questionable practices and outright scams we’ve come across:
1) The Old Bait & Switch
The oldest trick in the book, as they say, is the bait and switch. A common tactic simply because it works so well. It preys upon the human tendency to want to get the best deal as possible.
The way it usually works is: a company sends out flyers, takes an ad out in the newspaper, on websites, or even door to door. They advertise a ridiculously low price for something like a new roof for $500 (even free!). Someone sees they can get something they need at what appears to be a great deal and call the company.
Once the “contractor” arrives, the truth comes out. All of a sudden your home is different than most and needs much more than the “base” advertised price. Next thing you know you have an estimate for hundreds or thousands more. The lesson here? If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
2) Left-Over Or “Extra” Materials
Another common scam is the “I just left another job and have all this extra <insert material here>!” scam. Commonly done by door to door crooks, these guys act as though they have just enough material left over from another job to do exactly what you need. They claim they are going to throw it away or it will go bad overnight and they are willing to do it cheap if you let them do it now.
The problem is, these aren’t extra materials at all, it’s usually substandard (or worse damaging) material that they throw together specifically to get your money. They do the job quickly (and many times, sloppily) and once they are gone, they are gone. The minute they start talking about left-over or extra materials at a discount, cut them loose.
Though they are more common among driveway and driveway sealant contractors, this scam happens all over the country in many different industries including roofing.
3) “Storm Chaser” Scams
They appear in droves just after a major storm preying upon desperate homeowners with storm damage. So called “Storm Chasers” are especially successful after bigger storms when most contractors are busy helping other customers and are backlogged.
As roofs comprise many of the damages from hail, wind, and rain, roof scams are popular with these scoundrels. Do your homework and avoid the door to door “roofers” especially during this time to prevent becoming a victim.
4) Money Up-Front or Large “Deposits”
One of the easier scams (largely because no real work needs to be done) is the type where the “contractor” requires a large sum up-front or the whole total estimate, right now. In most cases, these guys will just take the money and disappear leaving you wondering what happened and your wallet a bit lighter.
Now reputable contractors may ask for a small initial deposit with the rest due upon completion, or if it’s a larger job, deposits in stages until the job is complete. If you did your homework and everything else checks out you’re likely ok, but if you know little to nothing about them or they are requiring a large chunk of the total cost, avoid it like the plague.
5) The Cheapest Guys In The Business
Finally, you have the cheap roof contractors who constantly advertise super low prices for their services. Some carpet cleaning services are notorious for this, offering really cheap rates but providing a sub-par service that could’ve been done with a vacuum and some hot water.
There are plenty of “legitimate” companies like this, that while not scamming you outright, do the bare minimum to stay in business in order to offer the lowest price. You may be getting the cheapest price, but keep in mind you’re only getting the basics with these guys and more often than not, that amounts to cheapest materials and service. Remember you get what you pay for!
Knowledge is power, and knowing the signs of a scam or bad roofer is just the beginning putting them into practice and doing the work takes effort. Arm yourself with information to avoid them and avoid becoming their next victim.
Atlanta Roofing Specialists is a full service residential and commercial roofing contractor serving Metro Atlanta since 1993! For an estimate call 770-419-2222 today!