How to Avoid Storm Chasers by Picking a Reliable Roofing Contractor

How to Avoid Storm Chasers by Picking a Reliable Roofing Contractor

You’ve heard of them, the roofing contractors who travel to suburban neighborhoods and knock on doors, promising to save you thousands of dollars by reroofing your home. Like most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Too often these “roofers” take your money, start the job, and then leave town with nothing but a pile of shingles as evidence their presence. Should anything go wrong with the roof, warranty information can be very difficult to gather.

Roofing scams are popular more popular than you may think and impact communities throughout the nation each year. Most “roofers” go to neighborhoods after they have been hit by a hurricane or a storm. These storm chasers target elderly people and claim that they can fix a roof for $2,000-$3,000 dollars.

Avoiding Scams:

To avoid a roofing scam from happening to you, NEVER accept any unsolicited offer for roofing work. Legitimate contractors are busy doing roofing work for their clients, not going around the local neighborhood in search of work. Also, legitimate roofers will be able to provide references, identification, and roofing credentials. To avoid being a victim of a potential scam, always remember, a legitimate roofer should never ask you to pay for the work up front.

Researching a Roofer:

To choose the best roofer to repair or install your roof–research! A good and easy place to start is by asking your friends and neighbors for the names of reliable roofing contractors they have used. Or look in your phone book’s yellow pages for local roofers, and then look for customer reviews of roofers online in addition to personally asking the roofer for references. When you contact roofers and get bids, make sure the bid price is reasonable and pay attention to the roofer’s professionalism. Often, you get what you pay for.

What to look for in a Roofer:

- Repeat business with a long term record of roofing in the nearby area
- Number of years in the business locally
- Professionalism
- Membership in local professional associations
- Knowledge of roofing materials and procedures

Evidence that your Roofer is Legitimate:

A professional roofer should be able to provide you with an up-to-date copy of their references. Your roofer should also be able to show you a copy of his insurance coverage. Look for a roofing contractor with sufficient liability insurance, such as a policy with at least a $1,000,000 of coverage.

Indicators that a Roofer is Legitimate:

- Local references (jobs completed in the last 30 days and 1+ years ago)
- Business license
- Credentials
- Workers compensation insurance
- General liability insurance

The Contract and Costs of the Job:

Before any work is started, get a written contract. The contract should include roofing estimate details such as hauling away the old roof, warranties, roof type, roof brand, and a schedule for when the work is to be completed. Also, make sure the price covers all materials, ventilation, and cleanup.

When choosing a roofing contractor, don’t fall for a scam. The tips provided should help better prepare you to spot potential red flags infamous of “storm chasers” and other deceptive roofers. Remember the importance of making sure your roofer’s background is well documented and has experience with roofing that you can review. Also, make sure you fully understand the contract before work begins so that everything goes according to plan. By following these basic pieces of advice, you are more likely to end up with a roof that you are happy with.

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About Author


Tim McLoughlin is a reliable Atlanta roofing contractor and expert on roofing proposals. His company, KTM roofing is a renowned among roofing companies in Atlanta.




Related How to Avoid Storm Chasers by Picking a Reliable Roofing Contractor:
April 2nd, 2011 | by roofing contractor |

14 Responses to “How to Avoid Storm Chasers by Picking a Reliable Roofing Contractor”

  1. By adam0149 on Feb 19, 2010

    Yes. Go to http://www.cslb.ca.gov/

  2. By DJ Ksar on Feb 19, 2010

    It could be several reasons and the state in which they are licensed, but here are two possibilities.

    License is under Contractors Bond Suspension. A contractor's bond may have been received by the Board but not yet processed. Once the bond is processed the suspension will be lifted retroactively to the effective date of the bond. Ask the contractor for proof of a contractor's bond and contact the bonding company to verify bond status.

    License is under suspension for failure to comply with Workers Comp. A workers´ compensation certificate or exemption statement may have been received by the Board but not yet processed. Once the certificate or exemption statement is processed the suspension will be lifted retroactively to the effective date of the certificate or exemption statement. Ask the contractor for proof of worker's compensation and contact the insurance company to verify coverage.

  3. By dacstek on Feb 20, 2010

    If your wanting reputable contractors you should go to your Better Business Bureau to check on contractors. Ask each for licenses, bond, list of jobs they have done and your contract of being satisfied with the job. Have a bank hold funds for release when done and they will need no advancement on materials.

  4. By Auto Loan Finance on Feb 19, 2010

    Hi Renee,
    Looks like you’ve had some quality issues and a little bad luck down there in Georgia. Sorry . . .

    Can you tell me a little more about your roof situation? What’s on there now, what the insurance company said, etc.

    Thanks, maybe I can help out . . .

    -Bill T-

  5. By Business Loan Rates on Feb 19, 2010

    I had an ice storm in 2005, which my shingles need replacing, but I also have framing issues. What would you suggest? Watch My Money Pit, parts 1-3.

  6. By Small Business Investment on Feb 19, 2010

    Yeah, it’s that roofer “trust issue” again which is why there are so many horror stories all over the news.

    I like the before-during-after photo suggestion but it seems like a lot of work. I’d hire a roofer that used photos if I could find one.

  7. By All Finance Direct on Feb 20, 2010

    i have never seen such a horrible job. iam also a roofer and i cant believe this person shingling work.What a disgrace

  8. By Secure Finance Business on Feb 20, 2010

    Thanks, RM. I think we’re the only ones in the Maryland/DC area doing before, during, and after pictures of jobs. Video too. I’m really surprised that our competition hasn’t “wised up” — it’s a great way to instill trust and confidence.

    . . . but there may be other reasons why they don’t . . .

    -Bill T-

  9. By renebkris on Feb 21, 2010

    Yes you do. They are available at City Hall.

  10. By johnnastevens on Feb 21, 2010

    This site should help you out.
    http://www.needcontractor.com/roofing/south%2dcarolina/

  11. By Douglas E on Feb 22, 2010

  12. By Construction Loan Finance on Feb 22, 2010

    This work IS pretty rough. Sevan, I see stuff like this all the time and an pretty amazed when I see it.

    Yes, it’s a disgrace . . . epecially since the homeowner trusted them to work on his roof.

    -Bill T-

  13. By Loan Mortgage on Feb 22, 2010

    Yeah, it’s pretty rough roofing work, even for a butcher . . .

    -Bill T-

  14. By Business Loan Rates on Feb 23, 2010

    wow what a reatard., who ever did that should have fell off anf died,

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