5 Tips for Avoiding Roof Repair Scams
Posted by Chester Butler, CIC, CPIA on Thu, Feb 09, 2012 @ 05:00 AM
Damage to the roof of your home is nothing to be taken lightly, and neither should be choosing the right people to repair it. Unfortunately, roof repair scams are very common in today's world. That means it's more important than ever to be careful. After all, you are entrusting the safety of your home to them. Fortunately, there are a few simple precautions you can take to ensure that you're never the victim of one of these scams.
- Be wary of any company that asks to be paid up front. It's unusual for a roof repair company to demand their money prior to doing any work, so one that does may be planning to take your cash and run.
- Watch out for companies that contact you out of nowhere. If you haven't reached out to a company about roof repair, then roof repair companies shouldn't be calling you out of the blue. Many of these companies offer to inspect your home, and then make up damage that needs to be fixed. If you get one of these seemingly random offers, it could be one of such roof repair scams.
- If you have roof damage that needs repairing, get estimates from multiple companies. It's always smart to get different opinions. Also, don't automatically go for the lowest estimate. A company that offers its services for extra-cheap isn't necessarily bogus, but many of these roof repair scams use this tactic to ensure themselves customers.
- Do your research! Before hiring a company to repair your roof, take the time to verify their legitimacy. A simple Google search on the company's name should yield results, and it's a necessity that you follow up with all of their provided references.
- Use your insurance company to evaluate your roof damage. Most insurance companies have trained claims personnel who can advise you if your roof is damaged and to what extent. After all they have a financial interest in preventing further damage to your home.
It's unfortunate that we have to worry about things such as roof repair scams, but there is good news. If you simply use common sense, and take a little time to explore your options, you should be safe from falling prey to these types of scams. And remember that just because your neighbor’s roof is damaged does not mean your roof is damaged. For example, your roof may be newer and less likely to suffer damage from hail.
If you need help determining if your home’s roof is damaged from a hail or windstorm, just call us. We’ll arrange an appointment with your insurance company’s claim specialist. Just call Stefanie at 615-690-8859 or drop her an email at stefanie@insurancebutler.com.
Full disclosure: Not all insurance companies offer this as a free service. So call us before you call your insurance company.