Major weather events often drive people to commercial and residential roofing contractors to fix any roofing damage they may have obtained. Unfortunately, there are many less-than-reputable roofing contractors that chase storms and prey on vulnerable people.
To protect yourself after a major weather event, it’s crucial to choose your roof repair contractor carefully. Here are some ways to look for roofing scams during storm season so you can avoid them:
- Research each roofer thoroughly. You can check companies with your insurance company, the Better Business Bureau, and online listings. Most reputable roofing contractors will have websites where you can read testimonials and get an idea of their service. If you need urgent repairs and have to choose a contractor without investigating them, make sure you save all receipts.
- Make sure to remain calm. The period of time after a major storm can be extremely stressful, especially if your repairs are urgent. But roofing scams prey on that fear and use it against homeowners. Don’t rush into anything even if it feels like you have to, and be very wary of contractors who try to pressure you into a sale. You can avoid this problem altogether by having a reputable roofing contractor in mind before a major storm hits.
- Be wary of door-to-door contractors. Many of the roofing contractors who drive around after major weather events may not even be based in your state. Out-of-state contractors pose a problem since they can blow town and leave you high and dry if you experience any roofing complications. If a contractor comes by with a truck, check their license plates to see if they’re local. They can fake business cards and signs but it’s much harder to get license plates on short notice.
- No matter what contractor you decide to go with, make sure you get everything in writing in case of complications down the line. Serious proposals from reputable contractors will have thorough breakdowns of costs and services.
