Because roofing contractors are not required to be licensed by law in Texas, there is a real risk of encountering a less than honest company that could be trying to take advantage of a vulnerable situation to make a quick buck for themselves. Roofing scams are one of the most popular ways to trick people out of their money because of how challenging it can be to follow up on any concerns you have once a transaction has been completed and any work you requested has been supposedly completed.
If your roof has been damaged by a storm or is showing signs of failure such as a leak or missing shingles, then it can be easy to feel confused about what to do next. In some communities, homeowners are likely to encounter door to door roofing contractors who appear friendly and compassionate while offering incredible deals and making big promises about the potential work they can perform on your roofing system.
At Griffith Roofing, our team of skilled professionals has been serving residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area for many years, and we’re committed to making sure that each of our customers gets the high-quality service and outstanding care they deserve. To help everyone in North Texas avoid the danger of being scammed by a less than honest roofing contractor, we wanted to spend a little time exploring some common roofing scams to watch out for.
The “No Deductible” Scam
If a scammer or so-called sales representative tells you that they can take care of your roofing related problems without the need to pay your insurance deductible, then it is best to immediately be on your guard. This approach is an increasingly popular tactic for scammers because of how easily a home or business owner will get excited about the possibility of saving money for the repair work they need.
The reality is that there is always an expectation that you pay a certain amount as a deductible under practically any insurance policy. If a roofing contractor approaches you with the claim that you can have the work done without a deductible, then they’re likely trying to get you to work with them to commit fraud against your own insurance company. The best way to avoid these types of situations is to work with a reputable, fully licensed roofing contractor so you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing the entire process is being handled the right way by a team you can trust.
Never Make Payments Upfront
If you are making a deal with a roofing contractor who suddenly asks for full payment upfront, then this should be a serious red flag. This type of scam is especially dangerous for elderly homeowners, but anyone can be susceptible under the right circumstances so it is always important to be cautious about which company you choose to work with.
The most common tactic scammers use when trying this method is to offer to perform an inspection for free before presenting an estimate for proposed work at a surprisingly low cost compared to other roofers. If a person accepts their proposed work plan, the scammer will then ask for payment first, and may even receive an enthusiastic response because of the low costs involved. The catch though is that once they have been paid, they will likely never return to do any actual work as promised, and the chances of recovering that money are extremely low.
Roofers are Not Insurance Adjusters
Residents in the DFW Metroplex need to be aware that anyone without a public insurance adjuster’s license is not able to act as an insurance adjuster. While some roofers will claim to be insurance adjusters to try and make as much money as possible from customers and insurance companies, the reality is that this practice is entirely illegal. If a roofing contractor claims to be able to provide insurance adjuster services as part of their work with you, then this should be a serious red flag to be aware of.
Keep in mind though, that some major home improvement companies may have a legitimately licensed insurance adjuster on their staff, and that highly experienced roofers may work with these companies to take care of any concerns you have such as storm damage repairs. This type of situation is not illegal, and asking for official licenses is a great way to clear up any confusion you might have.
Do Your Research and Ask for Licenses
As the risk of being scammed by dishonest roofing contractors continues to increase, it is exceedingly important to do enough research to feel confident about who you choose to work with. Instead of trusting a so-called roofing contractor who approaches you at your doorstep after a storm, take the time to research different teams online. Checking past reviews, addresses, and licenses is a great way to see why Griffith Roofing is one of the most trust names in the business throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area!
