If you notice any of the following signs, it's best to look elsewhere for your roofing needs.
Home Repair Scams Happen Every Day
Home improvement and home repair scams are more common than you might think. In fact, home improvement scams are so prevalent in the U.S. that they were 2nd top consumer complaint in 2020, according to the Consumer Federation of America.
These scams may include shoddy craftsmanship, failing to start or complete a project, or failing to have the right licensing or registration. In turn, homeowners can incur significant financial losses which can have ripple effects on your entire livelihood.
It just goes to show that any homeowner can fall victim to contractor fraud if they fail to recognize the red flags.
5 Concerning Signs To Look For In Lakewood Roofing Contractors
We recommend you spend at least an hour or two researching various roofing contractors in Lakewood. Be sure to look out for these red flags during your search.
1. They Lack The Right License
First and foremost, make sure that a given roofer is licensed to work in your area. It's important to note that there is no statewide roofing license or registration requirement for roofing contractors in Colorado.
Instead, roofing contractors must be licensed within the local city or county to do any roofing work. As such, your roofer needs to hold a general contractor's license within the city of Lakewood.
As you compare roofing contractors, ask to see a copy of their contractor license or ask for their license number to look it up.
2. They Demand Payment In Advance
Never work with a contractor who asks for the entire payment upfront and/or only accepts cash. If you hire them, there's no guarantee they'll complete the project.
They might not even do any home repairs for you at all! Instead, they may just take your cash and disappear. Doesn't that sound like an absolute nightmare?
3. Their Estimate Is Lower Than Others
As a good rule of thumb, you should obtain at least 3 written estimates before signing a contract. This will help you accurately compare pricing and find the right roofer for your needs.
However, be wary of any estimates that are shockingly lower than others. Lowball bids are a common selling point for roofing scams. Don't be fooled by those low prices.
Some unethical roofers may even tack on hidden fees or increase some costs once the job has started. That means you may even end up spending more on your roof than needed.
4. They Exaggerate The Roofing Damage
This is another reason to acquire multiple estimates from different contractors.
As you compare the estimates, remember to look at what damage they found during their inspections. The identified roof damage should be relatively consistent across all of your estimates.
However, if one roofer reported a larger scope of damage than the others, they're likely trying to get a larger payday.
5. They Knock On Your Door
Once a storm rolls through town, contractors (or those who claim to be one) may come knocking on your door. These contractors are called "storm chasers" and, as the name implies, they follow the wake of severe storms in the hopes of scoring quick roof repair projects.
Storm chasers will solicit business by going door to door, telling homeowners they have storm damage, and offer a new roof for an extremely low cost. They'll use high-pressure sales tactics to convince you of the roof damage and to sign a contract on the spot.
This behavior is problematic, predatory, and puts homeowners in an unfortunate position. Storm chaser contractors tend to use the lowest quality products and will cut corners on their work. Their repairs may even void your roof's current warranty and, since they're from out of town, you won't be able to reach them after they've disappeared.
For those reasons (and many others), it's always a good idea to shut the door on storm chaser contractors.
How To Avoid Contractor Fraud
Here are a few tips to help you avoid roofing scams:
- Ask for referrals from friends and family
- Do your research on each company
- Vet your options through third-party resources like the Better Business Bureau
- Gather multiple estimates to accurately compare your options
- Ask for copies of the contractors' licenses and insurance policies
- And always read the contract carefully
Book Your Inspection With Our Reputable Lakewood Roofing Contractors
If you're looking for a trustworthy roofing company, look no further than Ethos Roofing & Restoration.
As our name implies, we train our licensed roofers to adhere to ethical business practices at every turn. We never solicit business door-to-door, we never use high-pressure sales tactics, and we never exaggerate on our roofing estimates. Our roofing contractors are properly licensed, highly experienced, and always honest.
Contact Ethos today to schedule your FREE property inspection with our trusted Lakewood roofing contractors.