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Every year, summer storms cause hail and wind damage to roofs in Missouri. Once the clouds part, a new threat emerges and arrives at the door. Storm season is the peak time for roofing scams and fraudsters who want to drain the finances of unsuspecting homeowners.
Don't be a victim of roofing scams. Use our Roofing Scam 101 guide to identify common elements of popular scams and schemes! Learn the tricks of the fraudsters who seek to drain finances, leaving a messy roof behind.
Key Takeaways:
Beware of door-to-door solicitations, confusing contracts, requests for full payment up-front, and ever-changing costs. Reputable roofing companies always encourage questions, explain all the damage issues and concerns, and work with customers to provide payment plans and options.
Table of Contents:
Types of Roofing Scams
According to the Inspection Support Network, around 15 percent of home improvement scams reported to the Better Business Bureau since 2015 involved a roof-related scam. Roofing scams were so prevalent in Florida that fraudsters thrust the state's already beleaguered insurance market into a tailspin.
As severe thunderstorms rattle the Eureka community and surrounding areas more frequently, residents may be targeted by scammers posing as legitimate roofers who promise to make necessary repairs or even offer a free roof. Fraudsters utilize numerous tactics and scam modalities to swindle unsuspecting homeowners. Roof inspection scams and roof insurance scams are the most popular after any type of storm.
Roof Inspection Scams
Inspection scams typically begin with a knock on the door. Scammers pose as legitimate roofers and inform homeowners that storms may have severely damaged the roof. The "roofers" offer a free inspection to survey the damage. These scams are incredibly popular after thunderstorms that produce hail.
Every inspection yields severe damage, whether it exists or not. Repair estimates always include inflated costs, and the scam progresses differently depending on the scammer’s motives.
How to Avoid Roofing Scams
Roofing scams lead to financial damage to homeowners and serious liabilities for insurance companies. How can homeowners avoid falling victim to these schemes? Many roofing scams share common warning signs. Eureka Contracting & Roofing offers these tips to avoid scammers chasing money after a major storm:
Be cautious before you sign a contract! Read all contracts before signing, and never sign a contract you do not understand. If it’s too jargony, it’s a red-flag contract!
Ask contractors to provide you with a COI (certificate of insurance). If a “roofer” scoffs at the request, show them the door!
Look at the license plates on all vehicles and trucks. “Storm chasers”--fraudulent roofing companies who chase business after storms–typically arrive from out of state. Look at the state on the plates!
Ask how long the company has been located in the St. Louis area. Storm chasers often rent out a storefront so they have a local address, then get local prepaid phones to show a 314 area code. Ask for referrals, research the company online, and even ask if you can check out a current roofing site.
Know your legal rights! You have 72 hours to cancel a contract in Missouri.
Fraudsters may offer to waive your insurance deductible–this is an illegal practice! Senate Bill 101 (passed in 2012) says it is against the law to negotiate or waive the deductible in Missouri.
One of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a roofing scammer's next victim is to simply say "no thank you" when they knock on the door. If homeowners are concerned about storm damage, contact Eureka Contracting and Roofing to request an inspection and an estimate. If there's damage, we will let you know. In some cases, there may be minor issues that don't require any work.
How to Choose a Roofer to Repair Storm Damage
Unfortunately, violent thunderstorms with heavy wind and large hail can cause roof damage. When homeowners need to find a reputable contractor to repair their roof or assess potential damage, research is crucial to finding the best contractor for the job.
Remember that most reputable roofing contractors won't knock on your door to solicit business. They will never demand full payment upfront or approach a homeowner with additional massive costs after work begins. Never sign a contract under pressure, and always read everything before signing.
For homeowners in Eureka and surrounding areas whose homes were battered by recent storms, contact the team at Eureka Contracting & Roofing for your comprehensive roof assessment. Feel free to ask our team any questions during the process. We encourage homeowners to read our reviews; we're proud of every five-star rating we've received!
Eureka Contracting & Roofing has over 30 years of experience in the construction and insurance industry. We offer free one-on-one consultations to discuss your goals, concerns, and ideas and will provide a free roof evaluation with your best interest in mind. Call 636-938-ROOF or click www.eurekacontracting.com to learn more and schedule your free roof inspection.
About the Author:
Eureka Contracting & Roofing is a top-rated, Veteran-owned, fully licensed, and insured roofing business in Eureka, Missouri. By putting 30 years of experience to work, we ensure that our residential and commercial customer's roofs, gutters, shingles, soffits, and siding are expertly installed, maintained, repaired, or replaced. We make properties better– the proof is in the roof!
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