Scams are to be found in every business imaginable, the roofing industry being no exception. As a homeowner, knowing how roofing scams operate can help you avoid them when it’s time to have your own roof repaired or replaced. In today’s post, the local roofers at Howard Roofing & Home Improvements share some of the most common roofing scams that you should avoid.
Inadequate Repair Work
Roofs are intricate systems, and some unscrupulous contractors may take advantage of inexperienced homeowners by selling unnecessary upgrades, or perform inadequate repairs. Some even go so far as perform cosmetic changes and claim they’re necessary repair.
This modus operandi is perpetrated by “storm chasers”. These “contractors” follow the aftermath of a storm and offer too-good-to-be-true repair prices to unsuspecting homeowners. Despite being one of the most prevalent types of roofing scams, it is also one of the easiest to protect yourself from. If you’ve already been working with a local roofing contractor, stick with them.
This is doubly important if your roof is still within warranty or if your homeowners’ insurance covers roof repair. Unauthorized repairs done to your roof may invalidate your warranty and/or insurance coverage.
Too Many Repairs
Another reason why you should understand how your roof works is you’re less likely to fall victim to another common roofing scam: too much repairs. After an inspection, a roofer may exaggerate the roof’s condition—maybe even create new problems when the homeowner isn’t looking—then inflate the price in the quotation. While the homeowner would be still within their rights to reject the quote, their roof would be left in worse shape. Legitimate roofers like us encourage our clients to be familiar with their roofs and conduct regular inspections.
Insurance Fraud
A typical roofing insurance fraud works like this: an unscrupulous roofer submits two different quotations for a roof repair or replacement. The homeowner would receive a copy that reflects a lower or the actual repair cost, while another would be sent to the homeowner’s insurance provider, this one with a significantly higher cost.
Once the insurance checks are approved and released, the roofer would pocket the difference. If caught, the same roofer would claim to be doing this so they can reimburse your deductible. The extra money may sound tempting, but it’s not worth the trouble of getting prosecuted for insurance fraud.
Ultimately, working with a legitimate local roofing contractor can give you the peace of mind knowing you’re protected from such scams. For more information, call Howard Roofing & Home Improvements at (636) 296-1057. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in St. Charles, MO, and surrounding communities.