Does your heart skip a beat when you get a knock at your door? I'm sure you can hear the sound in your head right now. If you're someone that feels a sense of dread when a "door knocker" comes to your home, you aren't alone. Salespeople make their way into neighborhoods offering all kinds of things, from solar panels to tire cleaners.
Now, just because a door-to-door salesman comes to your home doesn't mean they're trying to scam you out of your money. However, that may be the case sometimes, and one scam we've seen circling around for a really long time is "roofing salesmen." Here at RoofCrafters, we've been repairing and installing roofs in the Southeast for thirty years. We've heard the horror stories from families that have fallen victim to scammers, and we want to help you stay vigilant when it comes to your home!
In this article, we'll discuss why it may be a smart idea to ignore that door-to-door roofing salesperson knock. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look out for to help protect your home and, most importantly, your finances. To begin, let's dive right into the six most common roofing scams we often see today.
Types of Roofing Scams
After a while of getting knocks at your door, you may begin to notice certain habits and pitches of these salespeople. We'll narrow them down to fit the category so you can keep your eyes peeled and your home closed.
1. Storm Chasers
You may have heard of a "storm chaser," but the term has an alternate meaning. Storm chasers are typically people that go out during storms and report back to local citizens, etc. In the roofing world, the name is used in a derogatory fashion for people who scour neighborhoods after storms looking to prey on homeowners. They search for homes with visible damage (or sometimes try every single door) and offer repairs. Unfortunately, this is usually a scam to make money from homeowners that don't know better. These storm chasers often book it before any actual work is done or make bad repairs that aren't worth the true effort.
2. Bait and Switch Schemes
Estimate scams are regrettably prevalent among low-quality roofing contractors, and there are a couple of ways that these scam artists go about their business. Contractors may give you a low bid during your first meeting; however, without your knowledge, they will add additional expenses for undocumented issues. The final cost is then much higher than what the homeowner expected.
3. High Pressure
If a roofing contractor puts immense pressure on you to accept their estimate and sign a contract, you most likely want to take a step back. High pressure tactics are a huge symbol of roofing scams in progress. The company doesn’t want you to think too hard about the offer or hold off to consider a second or third opinion. The more pressure there is to make a decision right now, the quicker you should give them the boot.
4. Hiked Up Damage Reports
Another popular method occurs when contractors provide inaccurate information about how much roof damage has actually happened. The prices may seem doable; however, the contractor will fraudulently conjure up problems to inflate the bid. This method is particularly effective among young homeowners who need to know more about their particular roofing systems. If you need a sign to begin educating yourself about your roof, it's right here!
5. Sketchy Deductible Work
Deductible roofing schemes are, unfortunately, a common problem in the United States. They occur when roofing repairs are covered by insurance, but the roofing contractor opts to waive the deductible fee, leaving you with little or zero payments. To some, that might sound great, but- behind this suspicious offer is a bad case of insurance fraud. The contractor basically convinces the homeowner to give fake reports to their insurance company or decreases the price of the roof after the claim was already sent. Both options are unacceptable and often illegal.
6. Down Payments
There are sporadic cases where a down payment is an option for a vast roofing project. In some situations, though, be wary of agreeing to a down payment or prepayment of any sort. This is an ultra-easy scam where the roofer simply takes your money and runs with it. A signed contract doesn't mean anything if the "company" you signed it with doesn't even operate or exist, so be sure to say a big NO to down payment scams.
Be Aware of the Signs
If a questionable roofing salesperson comes knocking on your door, be on the lookout for the indications that you may be asked to sign up for much more than you bargained for. Here are a few other ways scammy salespeople may try to run with your money.
They Ask About Your Insurance
If one of the first questions they ask you is about the extent of your roofing insurance and the last time you made a homeowner’s insurance claim, know that they're trying to see if you'll be profitable to them.
They Offer a Free Roofing Inspection
Your inspection should always be free if you're working with a reputable and trustworthy roofing contractor. The salesperson putting emphasis on offering a free roofing inspection is trying to make you feel like you're getting a great deal, which helps them reel you into the sales pitch. Once you're in, they start working their puppet strings to try and take your hard-earned money.
They're On Your Roof for A Long Time
It usually takes just a few minutes for a highly experienced roofing contractor to spot the potential need for repairs and other issues. If it seems like they've been up there for too long, it could be because they’re on the hunt for a "needle in a haystack." When this happens, they're looking for any small thing they can find to inflate the issue and create a sense of alarm to help seal their deal.
As a homeowner, you may have questions and concerns regarding your roof. If you're looking for a starting point to help you out, take a look at our Homeowners Guide to Roof Replacement. It contains everything you need to know about replacing your roof, which will definitely come in handy when it's time for a new one.
Can You Spot Suspicious Roofing Services?
We hope you can after reading this! The truth is- even though there are people who will do practically anything to make a quick buck, there are just as many people who care about you and your safety. Even though keeping your home safe and hard-earned money away from scam artists is an act of vigilance, know that there are companies that would never take advantage of you.
Now that you're officially informed of the door-to-door roofing salesman agenda, you may be wondering where you can find a trustworthy roofing contractor. If you have any questions or are ready to get connected with an expert, we're eager to assist you. We recommend taking a look through our learning center to give you a glimpse into our family mission.
Here at RoofCrafters, we get those roofing decisions can have you lost in a sea of options, decisions, and potential plans. That's why it's essential to understand that there are dedicated professionals who can help make the process a breeze! If you want to get in touch with our friendly representatives, feel free to make your way over to our contact page. No matter your roofing situation, we want you to know that we're here for you!
