IN 2022, NBC News reported on the prevalence and problems of roofing scams here in Florida. Floridians are “easy marks” because of storm damage from tropical storms and hurricanes. It has caused property insurance rates to rise, and Florida homeowners are bearing the brunt of the increase. By becoming aware of common roofing scams, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to them.
The top 5 scams that we will look at in this article are: 1) storm chaser scams, 2) low-ball estimates that balloon later, 3) insurance fraud or false claims, 4) disappearing down payment, and 5) unlicensed or uninsured contractors. Seal Tight Roofing Experts has been providing roofs for East Central Florida for 25 years. We hope you’ll choose us for your roofing needs, but even if you don’t, we want to make sure you don’t get “taken” by any of these common scams.
#1 Storm Chaser Scams
This is a tricky one because there are legitimate roofing companies that only deal with storm-damaged roofs. Before you sign any papers with any roofing company, you need to do your research. Check the Better Business Bureau for the company’s rating, make sure they are licensed, and discover if they have any complaints filed against them. A legitimate company that handles storm damage will be on your side. They will be the liaison between you and the insurance company to try to get your roof repair or replacement covered by your homeowner’s insurance. The roof inspections should be free.
If the company is part of a storm chaser scam, they may have out-of-state license plates signaling that they literally chase down homeowners in a storm-damaged area. They may pressure you to sign paperwork without wanting you to perform your due diligence of looking into the company. They may have no physical address or local references. If they say, “We just did your neighbor’s roof down the street.” Go verify with your neighbor.
How To Avoid
Work with local, licensed contractors. Check the Better Business Bureau and look for online reviews from local residents. Don’t sign any paperwork until you verify the validity of the company.
#2 Low-Ball Estimates That Balloon Later
If the bid seems too low, it probably is. This is a tactic to get you to sign with the company, but they will tack on extra charges once they begin the job. Look for vague or incomplete contracts. This is their way of leaving room for additional charges.
How To Avoid
Get multiple quotes. If one is much lower than the others, that should be a red flag. It likely isn’t a great deal but a scam. Get everything in writing with a breakdown on the invoice for material, labor, etc. Never pay the full amount upfront. Have a payment schedule in writing. For example, ⅓ upfront, ⅓ at the halfway point of completion, and ⅓ when the roof is completed to your satisfaction.
#3 Insurance Fraud or False Claims
Committing insurance fraud is a serious crime, yet people attempt it more often than you might think. Roofers who offer to cover your deductible (which is illegal) or inflate damage for the insurance claim may be doing so in order to make extra money off the job. For example, they may present your roof as needing much more work than necessary, charge you a reasonable amount, then keep the rest of the money for themselves that the insurance company paid. They may even ask you to lie to your insurance company. Never do this. You would then be a part of the fraudulent activity.
How To Avoid
Only work with contractors who follow the law. Choose a contractor who communicates clearly and honestly with your insurance agent. If you suspect they are attempting to commit fraud, report them to your insurance company immediately.
#4 Disappearing Down Payment
This is literal. A contractor takes your deposit and never comes back. This happens in other industries too and has been especially rampant among pool companies in Florida. While this scam isn’t always avoidable, by doing your due diligence about the company, you may be able to save yourself from paying a sketchy company.
How To Avoid
Never pay the full amount upfront. Use a payment schedule that is in writing. Only pay deposits to verified businesses with licenses, insurance, and a legitimate address. Make sure all information matches. If they try to say, “Oh, we recently moved locations,” that is a red flag.
#5 Unlicensed or Uninsured Contractors
A real contractor should be licensed and insured. Some contractors allow these things to lapse to save themselves money, but that is illegal. Additionally, if someone presents themselves as a contractor and is unlicensed, they may not have ever held a license or truly been trained in roofing. They may combine this scam with the disappearing down payment scam. They are just hoping you won’t check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they are a legitimate business.
How To Avoid
Ask to see their license and insurance. If they claim to have it but don’t have it with them, check with the Better Business Bureau or the state licensing board. Most legitimate contractors will put their license number on their vehicle, business cards, or invoices, making it easy to verify.
Summary
Hiring licensed, legitimate, and trusted professionals is the key to a positive, scam-free roofing experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your research. You don’t have to sign paperwork on the spot the first time you speak to a contractor. A good contractor will be fine with coming back in a day or two for you to sign paperwork after you have done your research.
You now have some solid information on how to avoid the 5 most common roofing scams. Seal Tight Roofing Experts, in Merritt Island, FL, is your local roofing company offering free roofing estimates for both residential and commercial roofing jobs. We are here to answer all of your questions and walk you through the best roofing experience possible!