Florida is prone to hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other forms of severe weather. The state also experiences a significant number of rainy and humid days that can wreak havoc on your roof. However, perhaps the biggest hazard that you’ll need to avoid are shady roofing contractors who are looking to take advantage of you. Let’s take a look at some common scams and how you can avoid them.
The Hidden Damage Scam
The scam involves someone posing as a roofing professional claiming that your roof has hail, water or other damage. Although you can’t see it yourself, the scammer insists that there are issues that their trained eye has spotted. In some cases, the shady roofer will even go up onto the roof or look in the attic to supposedly confirm the initial diagnosis.
Of course, you’ll soon get the bad news that the damage is even worse than first expected and needs to be taken care of right away. The goal is to cause you to question your own judgment that something is wrong, and the scammer is trying to create a sense of urgency to get you to take action today.
This means that you won’t get quotes from other professionals or take other action that might expose the scam. To protect yourself, always get additional quotes from licensed professionals. In a worse-case scenario, you’ll have confirmation that your roof really does need to be repaired or replaced. However, it may also turn out that there is nothing wrong with the roof.
When It Sounds Too Good to Be True
There is a common saying that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In other words, if a contractor quotes a price that seems to be well below what other roofers are charging, that should give you pause.
Typically, the price is much lower than the competition because the scammer is using lower quality materials. Therefore, they are unlikely to stand up to even modest wind, rain, or sun exposure. They may also be more likely to succumb to pests or cause other issues in the future.
A scammer may try to justify the low price by claiming that materials to be used on your home were left over from another project. However, you can be almost certain that this is just another lie to get you to pay for a shoddy job.
The best way to avoid such a scam is to trust your instincts and apply common sense when evaluating a quote. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for when it comes to repairing or replacing your roof. While the best contractor isn’t always the one that charges the most, it’s important to be wary of those who seem to charge too little. Of course, this means getting multiple quotes from reputable companies prior to making a hiring decision.
A Contractor Isn’t Licensed or Bonded
Another reason why a company might charge significantly less than the competition is because they aren’t licensed or bonded. This often means that there is significantly less overhead to contend when there is no need to pay licensing fees or insurance premiums.
It’s also possible that an unlicensed contractor simply won’t know how much to charge. Most reputable companies have computer software or other tools that they use to create accurate quotes. Meanwhile, someone who isn’t complying with the law or is just looking for a quick payday will quote a price that gets money into their pocket as quickly as possible.
If you think that something is amiss, you can ask for proof of licensing before signing a contract. You can also ask for testimonials or other forms of social proof that a given individual is qualified to work on your Fort Lauderdale home.
You’re Forced to Make a Large Upfront Payment
It’s not uncommon for a reputable contractor to ask for an upfront payment before work begins. However, you shouldn’t have to pay more than half of the cost upfront. Therefore, if you agree to pay $10,000 to have your roof replaced, you shouldn’t pay more than $5,000 upfront.
The rest of the money is typically due when the project is finished and you’ve had a chance to inspect the quality of the work. In many cases, those who are trying to scam you will ask for most or all the money upfront.
After receiving the money, a shady roofer may simply skip town with your cash never to be heard from again. It’s also possible that some of your payment will be used to start the project before the roofer ultimately gives up.
To avoid this type of scam, simply avoid any company that requires a large upfront payment. In some cases, you may be able to put your money in escrow or place language in your contract regarding how an initial payment may be used to further protect your interests.
A Contractor Wants to Commit Insurance Fraud
If you are quoted a price that seems too low to be true, it may be an attempt to commit insurance fraud. In such a scenario, you’ll be quoted one price while your insurance company will be quoted a much higher price.
Essentially, the contractor will profit the difference between what was actually spent on the project and what the insurance company agreed to pay. It’s possible that you won’t even realize what is happening before you get the paperwork related to your claim after the job is finished.
Regardless, it is a serious offense to commit insurance fraud, and a contractor could face serious civil and criminal penalties. You may be exposed to potential liability if you knew about the plan and failed to alert your insurance provider in a timely manner.
In addition, you’ll face the same risks associated with using a shady contractor, such as the fact that your roof is more likely to fail in the coming months or years. Ultimately, the contractor gets to boost its profit margin while you get the pleasure of explaining to your insurance company why you’re having so many issues with the roof.
To avoid this scam, you’re encouraged to be proactive during the claims process. It may be a good idea to talk to your insurance agent to get more information about the company that wants to work on your home. It’s possible that the scammer has attempted something like this before and is already on your provider’s radar.
A defective roof can result in thousands of dollars in secondary damage or possibly make your home uninhabitable. However, our licensed, bonded, and insured team of professionals can inspect your roof, repair, or replace asphalt, tile, or metal roofs in a timely and affordable manner. If you think that your home’s roof needs service, don’t hesitate to contact Action Roofing today for an estimate or to learn more about what we do.
