Winter storms can cause some of the worst damage to a home. Repairs have to be made even when the temperatures are low. Keeping the roof in good repair is important since it takes the brunt of the external forces. Wind, rain, hail, all hit the room first.
Anytime a roof is damaged, the homeowner wants to get it repaired quickly to minimize and prevent further damages. Unfortunately, there are many homeowners who have little experience is roofing. That lack of knowledge and the desire to get repairs down quickly can cause one to make a too quick decision and result in their falling prey to some less than honest handyman or contractor.
The best policy is to keep your ears and eyes open and realize there are people who try to take advantage with roofing scams.
Here are five roofing scams to be aware of:
- The disappearing down payment – this is when an individual or company requires a down payment to get started on a job and once the check has cleared the bank they never return to finish the job.
- The door-to-door salesman – someone shows up offering to do a free roof inspection after a storm. They may actually cause damage to the roof in order to get the “insurance” job.
- Storm Chaser – reports of damage to areas or regions bring in roofers that know how insurance companies work, these people do the bare minimum of work – often leaving a partially damaged roof.
- High Pressure Salesman – a contractor will show up in a neighborhood where some roofing and home improvements are being done, and offer “special” deals if you’ll sign a contract on the spot.
- The fluctuating bid – a contractor offers a low bid to get the job then, once the job begins unexpected costs and problems arise that cause the job to cost more and more.
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