If You Hear Any of these 10 Phrases from a Roofing Contractor, Run

Unscrupulous storm chasers and other bad actors often swoop into neighborhoods looking for hard-working homeowners to scam. Whether you need to know the age of an existing roof, or the roof needs replacing because of natural disaster damage, replacing or repairing a roof is a major financial decision. Only a qualified roofing contractor can give you accurate, legal information. To avoid getting ripped off in the search to repair your roof, steer clear of any contractor who uses any of these 8 phrases.

Watch Out for Door-to-Door Quick Talkers

There are always shady door-to-door contractors who routinely canvas communities. If you hear an unexpected knock on the door and see someone with a clipboard who says, “Excuse me, I see you have a damaged roof. My company is offering great deals on repairing and replacing roofs. Maybe I can help. Can I get a minute of your time?” Be very wary! This could be the beginning of a costly scam. 

Here are 4 things to know about the more shady operators:

1. They often walk through neighborhoods “spotting” damage on roofs. This might feel helpful and friendly…but that damage may or may not exist. Be wary. 
2. They may not have the correct licensing to work in a particular city or state. 
3. They offer to work “fast” as a lure to desperate homeowners.
4. Most of them are trying to make a quick buck by finding homeowners with major damage—say, after a storm—and taking advantage of their desperation and panic. 

Increasingly, state and local governments impacted by natural disasters are getting the word out to vulnerable consumers to be more watchful. Learn more by checking the websites of your local state insurance office or office of your attorney general. Bad weather and storm chasers are just part of the reasons why homeowners need to stay vigilant. There are always people looking for ways to take advantage of homeowners with roofing needs.  

10 Phrases That Make a Roofing Contractor Sound Suspicious

#1 "Hey, I noticed you have storm damage." 

If anyone tells you this before even getting on your roof, they are probably not an honest contractor. Maybe they can see missing shingles, but some signs of hail damage like missing granules, soft spots, and damage to flashing can only be seen up close. They are probably just trying to make a buck because they are aware of a recent storm in your area.  

#2 “This is the lowest bid you’ll find anywhere.”

Don’t fall for this one no matter how dire your situation seems to be. You’ve heard the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” A credible roofing bid should do several things:  

• Set realistic expectations on price and a work timeline. 
• Contain the contractor’s license number.
• Highlight an item-by-item breakdown of all required roofing work. 

Be sure to get a minimum of three bids. If the contractor’s bid doesn’t have at least these items, look elsewhere—the contractor is shady. 

#3 “We are new to the area so we don't have local references for you to check yet.”

Unlike this suspicious sounding contractor, Honest Abe Roofing has been in the business of assisting customers with installing or repairing roofs for 17 years. All of our roofing professionals are licensed and highly qualified. We have many happy customers because of the trust we’ve built with our brand, known for excellent products and outstanding customer service. We are proud of the many positive customer referrals and endorsements we have on our website. 

#4 “I can get you a low price on this work if YOU get the permits.”

This is a dead giveaway that you’re working with a crook. Part of what you’re paying the contractor for is to secure all necessary permits. Granted, getting permits can be time-consuming, but that’s part of the job. If you’re detecting any reluctance here, perhaps your contractor doesn’t have the licensing to do the job. 

#5 “I’ll only be in your area for a short time so take advantage and sign on the dotted line right now!” 

This sounds like a high pressure tactic. Don’t go for it! All scam artists attempt to convey that high sense of urgency that if the target doesn’t “sign right now,” they’re losing out on a great deal. Legitimate companies are accustomed to waiting until the prospective client has gotten at least three bids before signing on the dotted line. For your own protection, only do business with roofers who are based in the city or town in which you live. Local roofing companies know the lay of the land. These companies have a local network where they can get price breaks on materials and services that can benefit local customers. Take your time and compare costs when you have big jobs. Don’t feel pressured into making a costly mistake. 

#6 “Just sign over your insurance check and we’ll pay your deductible, easy-peasy.”

This should set off very loud alarm bells when any roofing contractor says this. On the front end, you might be paying less to the “contractor” who wants to replace or repair your roof. But by signing over your insurance check, you leave yourself vulnerable. On the back end, the contractor helps themselves to a bigger cut from the insurance company. Insurance fraud is a felony in all 50 states, falling under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. At the end of the day, ripped off consumers end up paying more for their insurance premiums due to fraudulent activity. 

#7 “Can you pay in cash?” 

This is another red flag warning about someone who offers to give you a deal with a cash transaction. In reality, these fraudsters bag your cash and skip town without performing the work.  It’s a very bad deal. By contrast, reputable roofing companies want to establish a relationship with their customers by providing financing opportunities. Unlike shaky con artists, upstanding roofing companies want to build a connection with their customers that endures over time.  

#8 “I don’t have a website because I’m always in the field.”

Most legitimate roofing companies have a website. If someone doesn’t have one listed, get nosy. Do an online search. Sometimes, the contractor has terrible reviews with a reputation for ripping off customers. Another reason for not giving up the information may be that the contractor isn’t licensed at all or they may be hiding something else. Conducting a localized search on the Better Business Bureau can yield great information on so-called contractors out looking to make a fast buck. 

#9 “To lower your costs, I have some leftover materials from another job. What do you say?”

This is a big, fat, no-no! The materials may not be durable for a month, let alone “a lifetime.” The materials might even have been stolen. Do you really want your roofing repair or replacement done with fenced goods? Remember the rule of thumb, get three estimates on the cost of materials that will be used to patch up or replace your roof. 

#10 “I can give you this price because I’m a free agent. Who needs a license?” 

Wait, what? Anyone posing as a roofing contractor who utters these words is most certainly a grifter, con artist, or scammer.  Still, licensing varies in the United States. There are many states that don’t require a license but they may still have other regulations qualifying roofers and other contractors in that state. For your own protection, do the research to ensure that you have a qualified roofer. 

What Qualified Roofers Do Right

With all the scamming going on, sometimes it seems like too much work to find a qualified roofing company. The truth is that by doing the research now you don’t have to pay later in jacked up fees, inferior materials, or a contractor who turns into a disappearing act. Don’t give up! Consider the services that qualified roofers provide:

• They have the expertise to accurately determine a roof’s age. 
• They allow customers to get other bids without applying extra pressure.
• They willingly share their legal contractor’s license number.
• They maintain a company website with detailed information and a place to respond to customer questions. 
• They have plenty of testimonials from happy homeowners.

Roofing customers shouldn’t become victims of con artists and scammers. Contact Honest Abe Roofing for all your roofing needs. We can direct you to a local office in your area that you can trust.