The state of Texas ranks top in the nation for hail damage claims, and unfortunately, it also ranks pretty high on the list for roofing scams. That’s because shameless people will come in after a storm and pose as legitimate hail damage roofing companies – but they either never intend to complete any work or they complete subpar work that ends up costing homeowners even more money.
So how can you avoid roofing scams after a hailstorm? This guide gives you the details on how to spot a scam a mile away and how to avoid being taken in by a “roofing company” that appears legitimate but isn’t.
Con Artist Hail Damage Roofing Companies And Scams After Hailstorms
There are myriad types of roof repair scams out there today, but they’re all designed to separate you from your hard-earned money. Whether people leave flyers on your vehicle, or, or in your mailbox, or you receive a phone call or email about affordable roof repair services after a hailstorm, you have to be cautious.
How Does a Standard Roof Scam Work from Fraudulent Hail Damage Roofing Companies?
A standard roof repair scam goes like this: An unscrupulous person gets in touch with a homeowner or business owner whose roof may have been damaged during a recent storm. The person claims that they represent a roofing company, and they use a significant amount of pressure to get you to sign a contract on the spot or pay for roof repair services.
They may also seem to offer very cheap services, a “once in a lifetime deal” or to pay your insurance’s deductible for you, which is illegal in the state of Texas.
Sometimes, these people often perform a “roof inspection” right then and there (and unfortunately, in many cases, they end up doing more damage while they are on the roof to inflate insurance claims).
Often, these people take your money and run. They don’t even bother to come back and pretend to work. However, in some cases, they do come back and perform substandard work that could end up costing you more money in the long run.
Related: What to do after a North Texas storm
7 Tips for Avoiding Roof Repair Scams by Dishonest Hail Damage Roofing Companies After Hailstorms
You may think it’s easy to spot a roof repair scam a mile away, but many people end up being swindled. Use these seven tips to avoid post-hailstorm roof repair scams:
- Use phone numbers and license plates as a guide
- Check how long any hail damage roofing companies you’re considering have been in business
- Coordinate with your insurance company
- Ask for references from any hail damage roofing companies you’re considering
- Get multiple estimates from hail damage roofing companies
- Work only with licensed and insured hail damage roofing companies
- Pay any hail damage roofing companies with a check or credit card – including deposits
Here’s a closer look at each.
Use Phone Numbers and License Plates as a Guide
If a person claims to be a local roof repair expert but has an out-of-town number out-of-state license plate, you’ll need to do some extra checking before you commit to anything. That’s because many scammers come from across the country just to take advantage of Texas homeowners. If you don’t recognize the area code, there’s a good chance you’re not dealing with someone local.
Check How Long Any Hail Damage Roofing Companies You’re Considering Have Been in Business
If one of these people gives you a business name, do some checking. See if you can find any records of the company doing business. If you can’t, there’s a good chance that the company just sprouted up for the express purpose of ripping off people in the area.
You should also look for a company’s website to determine how professional it is in providing services in the local area.
Coordinate With Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company will be able to tell you whether a company is likely legitimate, and when it comes to roof repairs after a hailstorm, you should be working with your insurance company anyway.
Related: What can you expect to happen during a free roof inspection?
Ask for References From Any Hail Damage Roofing Companies You’re Considering
You should always ask for references from all hail damage roofing companies. A good roof repair company won’t have any problem letting you talk to past clients to learn about their experiences because they have nothing to hide. However, if a company refuses to give you past references, or if you can’t find any on your own, it’s a sign that you’re not dealing with someone ethical.
You can also take the opportunity to look for online reviews about any roofing company you’d like. Usually, these reviews aren’t hard to find; there are even national websites that have hundreds of local listings all over Texas.
Get Multiple Estimates from Hail Damage Roofing Companies
Often, roof repair scammers offer incredibly cheap roof repairs after a hailstorm. Although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to get the best possible deal, you should make sure that a deal isn’t too good to be true.
You can do that by getting multiple estimates from other companies before deciding which one to go with. If other hail damage roofing companies are telling you that your roof repairs will cost a significantly higher amount than what the original company is telling you, it’s a sign that someone just wants to take your cash and run.
These fraudulent hail damage roofing companies will claim that they are already in the neighborhood and that they have extra supplies on hand after finishing a neighbor’s roof repair. They will claim that the incredible discount they can give you is because they don’t want to have to haul the material back. They may even say they are trying to help because they feel bad that your neighborhood was hit so hard by the hailstorm.
These fraudulent hail damage roofing companies say these things because they sound believable, and they are effective tactics. Don’t fall for their lies.
Related: What should your roofing estimate include?
Work Only with Licensed and Insured Hail Damage Roofing Companies
Never, ever have worked performed by a contractor that isn’t licensed and insured. That’s because a license shows that the contractor has no problem keeping up with local laws and regulations, and insurance gives you the peace of mind you need if something goes wrong. A reputable roofing company won’t have any problem providing you with license and insurance information.
When you have license information, you can check your state’s licensing board’s website. Search for the licenses of any hail damage roofing companies you are considering to make sure that they are authentic.
When you have copies of certificates of insurance from all hail damage roofing companies that you’re considering, you can do your due diligence by contacting the insurance company on your own to verify that their insurance policy is still active.
Pay Any Hail Damage Roofing Companies With a Check or Credit Card
Pay for your roofing services using a check or credit card, which you can cancel if you’ve been scammed. Never pay cash, because it’s all too easy for an unscrupulous person to walk away with your money and never come back. You can’t trace cash, either, so once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Of course, this goes for deposits too. Remember, fraudulent hail damage roofing companies often are successful because they offer discounts for large cash deposits. No receipt or contract they provide you can protect you from them skipping town with your cash in their pocket once you’ve handed it over to them. If you pay by check, you can call your bank and stop payment on your checks when hail damage roofing companies have scammed you out of your money. If you pay with a credit card, you can call your credit card company and report fraud when hail damage roofing companies have scammed you out of your money.
What Else Can You Do to Ensure You’re Not Working with a Scammer After a Hailstorm?
You should take a proactive approach to your roof repairs by contacting one of the reputable hail damage roofing companies in your area that you can trust when you suspect hail damage. Make sure you read reviews, talk to your neighbors about companies they’ve worked with, and do your due diligence to make sure you’re not about to get scammed by one of the many fraudulent hail damage roofing companies out there.
Additionally, regardless of who you work with, you should always get a signed contract before any work begins on your home by any hail damage roofing companies or contractors of any kind– and certainly before you pay them any money.
Related: How to choose a trustworthy roofing company
Do You Need Roofing Help After a Hailstorm?
If your roof has been damaged during a hailstorm, or if you suspect that it’s been damaged, we may be able to help you. Call our office now to schedule a free roof inspection with a company you can trust so you don’t accidentally fall prey to one of the many roofing scams out there today.
We’ll inspect your roof for free, and we’ll give you a detailed report of all the issues our inspector finds. We’ll also provide you with a no-obligation estimate so you can make the right decision for your budget and your family.
