Building and Remodeling 
Contractor Tips

Your online guide to avoiding building,
remodeling and home equity loan pitfalls
 
www.RemodelingContractorTips.com

 

 

 How to Avoid
" Roofing Contractor " Scams

Be careful when hiring a roofing contractorIt's a sad but true fact that construction scammers exist. This is particularly so in the area of roofing. No matter what part of the country a person is in, if they own a home, they're likely to run into a roofing contractor scammer at one point or another.

Here's where you can locate some reputable roofing contractors: Find Roofing Contractors

Roofing contractor scammers tend to target the elderly, but no one is immune. In Florida, for example, these bad guys go door-to-door offering their services before or during hurricane season - right when homeowners are particularly paranoid about the integrity of their roofs. The "roofing contractor" offers to do a free inspection, reports trouble (sometimes creating that trouble themselves) and then offers to repair or replace it for a certain amount. Once the homeowner pays the advance fee, the  so called roofing contractor is never seen or heard from again. It's a sad tale that's heard the country over.

Avoiding a roofing contractor's scam isn't difficult if homeowners arm themselves with facts and take steps to only deal with only reputable companies. A good rule of thumb is to never let anyone do a "free inspection" on your home unless their credentials have been checked out. If you didn't solicit them, be very, very wary. Absolutely, do not let someone on your roof to "inspect it" if you didn't call them in the first place.

Here are other things to avoid when dealing with roofing contractors to ensure a legitimate company is hired:

Firstly, only employ a licensed roofing contractor. Check out their licensing with state or county agencies before even allowing an inspection and then:

  • Insist on a written contract before work is performed and request a detailed, written estimate as well.
  • Do not, ever, pay in cash.
  • Don't pay more than 10 percent of the job's total as a down payment or more than $1,000. Roofing scammers take the money and run.
  • Be extremely wary of contractors who go door-to-door.
  • Don't deal with a roofing contractor who require cash only payments.
  • Don't deal with a roofing contractor who requires that customers allow the use of "left-over" materials. These can possibly be stolen.
  • Check to see if there's a professional roofers association in your area.

There are literally thousands of reputable and conscientious roofing contractors in the country. Sadly, there are some who are scammers and even those who present themselves as roofers who wouldn't know a shingle from a piece of plywood. Protect yourself and your home from these people by proceeding with any major repair or replacement job with extreme caution.

A good roofing contractor will expect to be checked out and will understand and respect the wariness.

 

© Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved - How to avoid roofing contractor scams.

 

HONESTe Online Member Seal
     Click to verify - Before you buy!

Search this site

Avoid Building & Remodeling Pitfalls !
Building and Remodeling Contractor Home
Having a House Remodeling Plan Pays
Right General Contractor For Your Job
Find the Best Remodeling Contractor
When To Call in a Remodeling Contractor
Personalities Matter when Remodeling
Hiring a Repairing Building Contractor
Past Work of Repairing Building Contractor
What's expected from the Contractor ?
Avoiding Bad Building Contractors
Equity Loans
Home Equity Loan for Remodeling Home
Avoid Home Equity Loan Scams
The Residential Building Contractor
The Residential General Contractor
Hire Building Contractor Before Buying Lot
The Contract
Get details in Writing Before Signing
The Remodeling Contract - A Guide
Construction Contract Disputes
Handling a Construction Dispute
Prepare Your Own Home Design
Innovative House Design Software
The Architect and Building your Home
Finding a Building Contractor
Hiring General Contractors | Subcontractors
Working with your Residential Architect
No worries with a Good Building Contractor
An Energy Efficient Home
An Emergency ! - Hiring a Contractor
Hiring a Contractor In An Emergency
Electrical
Electrical Wiring Contractor Know How
Plumbing
Picking a Plumbing Contractor
Roofing Contractor
Tips For Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Avoid Roofing Contractor Scams
Other Tips and Tricks
General Contractor - How NOT to Behave
Checklist - Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Snow removal service contractor advice
Home Improvement Articles
Interesting Articles
Create the Perfect Home Remodeling List
Contact Us
Site Directory

ServiceMagic, Inc.