Roofing Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them

You are bound to get scammed for something at some point in your life. The thing about scams is that they creep up on you when you least expect it, so even if you are well informed, you can’t completely escape it. Roofing scams, as ridiculous as they might sound, are quite common. Hundreds of families each year fall prey to such scams, which is truly unfortunate as roofing isn’t forgiving when it comes to price. 

Furthermore, scammers have a very specific group of people that they like to target—ones who are always looking for a bargain or those who are in desperate need of a particular service but aren’t able to find a reliable contractor.

It’s truly disappointing that scammers try to take advantage of those who are vulnerable; it’s even more frustrating to be scammed for something as simple as getting your roof fixed. 

Are you afraid that you, too, might be in danger of being caught up in a roofing scam? Here are ways to detect such scammers and some tactful tips on how to avoid them. 

Roofing in Alpharetta: Find People You Can Trust

No place is safe from the schemes of roofing scammers—not even Alpharetta. If you want to make sure you get your roof fixed or installed flawlessly, then you might want to consider finding an Alpharetta roofing company that you can trust.  

Types of Roofing Scams to Watch Out For

Now scammers who pose as contractors will try to approach you in many ways; hence there are many types of scams that you need to be mindful of. Some are more common than others while others appear at strangely convenient times. Let’s look at some of these scams. 

Offering Materials Which Are Miraculously Cheaper

This isn’t to say that affordable materials are always fake. There are many cheap yet high-quality materials in the market that are excellent for your roofing. With that being said, this isn’t always the case. If you have personally inspected said materials for their quality, then it will probably be okay—but not when the contractors themselves offer it. 

This is when you need to step in. Oftentimes, scammers will use poor quality materials to temporarily solve the roofing issue. This means that it will eventually recur, and you will need to call them back regularly to have it repaired again. You might be thinking that it’s a cheaper option, but in reality, this ends up costing you a lot more in the long run. 

In another scenario, they might show you some materials that they claim to be very pricey. To a lot of people, expensive equals great quality. In reality, however, they will be charging you double the price for something mediocre. They can be extremely persuasive, to the point where you won’t even question their opinion. Don’t fall into their trap. Remember to stop them when they begin overstepping their boundaries.

Appearing at Your Doorstep Following Bad Weather

As I mentioned in the beginning, some roofing scammers in Alpharetta like to stop by at very strange and convenient times—specifically after a storm hits your town. They are likely to distribute leaflets or go straight to your doorstep offering to repair your roof. If they’re extra pushy, they might offer you a discount. 

Again, scammers are master manipulators; they will try to convince you that your roof needs some sort of fixing, even though it seems fine. Even if your roof needs fixing, be warned. These sorts of scammers will put in little to no effort into the work and will be off with your hard-earned money before you even realize it. Here’s a tip: Good contractors don’t need to go from door to door to offer their services. They use other advertising methods, so keep that in mind the next time someone rings your doorbell offering to fix your roof.

Offering a Low Starting Cost

This is another spin to the scammers that offer low-quality materials. They will usually give you a very low starting cost—much lower than most roofing companies in your area. Although this might sound like a bargain, it’s a part of a grander scheme. 

They will start the service at the price you agreed on, but will suddenly add in extra costs due to “certain problems” that popped up while they worked. Eventually, you will end up paying more than what you were quoted. A contractor should never increase costs in the middle of an ongoing repair or roofing job. If that’s the case, then it’s most likely to be a scam. 

One-Time-Only Offers

Some scammers in Alpharetta go around handing out brochures for limited time offers. Sometimes it’ll say that they are willing to take half the money for double the work or provide extra services for the same price. Whatever it is, don’t fall for it. Chances are they are just looking to make some easy money. And what better way to do that than to give out such time-limited offers? 

Pointing Out Damage That Doesn’t Exist

Here’s another peculiar strategy that roofing scammers use. They will knock at your door and let you know that something’s wrong with your roof. Or they might just say that they fixed the roof of another home down the block that had the same problem as you. Rest assured that this damage doesn’t exist, because if your roof had issues, you would be the first to know. Not all roof damage can be seen directly. The suspicious person certainly did not inspect your roof up close, so it’s best to send them on their way even if they try to play you with their words. 

Asking for a Large Advanced Payment 

In the worst-case scenario, the contractor will sit with you and discuss the kind of work that needs to be done to fix your roof. When all is said and done, they will ask you to make an advance payment before they start work. Now, this isn’t strange; a lot of service providers do this as a way to confirm that you will use their services. However, it becomes a problem when this confirmation fee is a little too high. 

This is when you know that they will most likely take your money and make a run for it. You won’t hear from them ever again. Advance payments are usually half of the full payment. Be careful when they ask for one. 

How to Avoid Roofing Scams

So how do you save yourself from getting scammed? Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. Here’s what you can do if you think the roofing contractor is scamming you. 

1. Do your research on the roofing companies in Alpharetta. It’s only a Google search away, so it shouldn’t be hard to find reputed roofing companies that can give you a good deal and a good service. 
2. Don’t let anyone rush you. Like I’ve said many times throughout this guide, scammers know exactly what to say and how to say it. They will take advantage of your emotions and will try to rush you into making a decision. Tell them that you’ll think about it and send them off. 
3. Say no if you don’t feel comfortable with their offered plans or behavior. There’s nothing wrong with declining the offer. Don’t think it’s rude because, at the end of the day, this is your hard-earned money. 
4. Lastly, carefully listen to everything you are being offered. You never know when they’ll sneak in something sketchy.

To Conclude

Scams can be quite tricky—it’s kind of like buying a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. They claim to provide the benefits of both, but that is far from reality. Make sure you know what you need. 

Look at the materials that your contractor provides and get a second opinion where needed. Don’t worry if you do get scammed—going to the proper Alpharetta authorities will usually help you get your money back.