Getting scammed is never a good thing—and that goes double for something as important as your roof. A ton of scammers will start coming out of the woodwork after major storms, claiming they’ll be able to fix your roof quickly and cheaply. All will offer deals too good to be true. Most of them will be unlicensed, and you’ll need to call a certified roofing contractor in central Florida like Winter Springs Roofing & Repair to make things right.
Scam damage
A common roofing scam is for door-to-door salesmen to go into neighborhoods. These salesmen go from house to house, claiming to provide free roof inspections. However, once they’re up there, they create real damage to your roof to mimic storm damage. This is usually done so the scammer can make sure the damage is enough to get covered by insurance. That can lead to negative effects on future insurance claims or increase the cost of coverage. The simplest way to stop them is to ask for proof that they’re who they say they are, and that they’re qualified to work on your roof. Don’t sign any paperwork until your insurance company has inspected the roof.
Look out for storm chasers
When storms come, so do the scammers. Sometimes they show up unannounced, promising a free roof, or claim they see some serious damage. Other times they’ll come through claiming to work for a local company. Many of these storm chasers don’t have a valid license, don’t hold insurance or will lie about it. A certified roofing contractor in central Florida will be happy to show their credentials.
Do your homework
The best way to avoid scammers, especially storm chasers, is to do some research. On top of asking for proof of insurance, check the roofer’s license status. You can do this at your local building department or licensing agency. Also, visit the roofer’s office. If it’s just a P.O. box, that’s a big red flag. Finally, ask for references, like a list of past and current customers in the area. Then go visit those customers to make sure the references are legitimate.
Follow proper business practices
Whether you have storm damage that needs repairing, or are thinking about replacing your roof, be patient. Don’t rush into a contract. Take time to shop around and receive bids from different companies. Most certified roofing contractors have similar prices for materials and labor, so if someone is much lower—or much higher—working with them could be risky. Get a detailed contract in advance. This will prevent any surprise charges for extra work or changes to the work being done.
Keep calm and call us
For more than 30 years, Winter Springs Roofing & Repair has provided quality roofing services. We have numerous references from satisfied customers if you have any questions. We also pride ourselves on our excellent communication with our customers from start to finish. If you’re looking for roofing work or are confronted by suspicious roofing salesmen after a storm, give us a call and we’ll have a certified roofing contractor in central Florida ready to help you out.