How to Avoid Roofing Scams
The Hallmarks of a Roofing Scam
Unfortunately, roofing scams are on the rise, especially in the Colorado Springs area. Residents must remain vigilant against disreputable roofing companies who come into the area and try to take advantage of our community members. It is not uncommon for these roofers to pressure people to sign contracts with them, perform shoddy work, and disappear when the homeowner has a problem.
One of the hallmarks of a roofing scam is a roofer who refuses to show you their credentials or is unwilling to share references with you. A roofer who is proud of their work and running a legitimate, reputable business will not shy away from showing you their licensing and other credentials. They will also be able and willing to share references and examples of their work with you.
Other common signs of a roofing scam:
- Unbelievable deals that seem too good to be true
- Roofer is going door-to-door trying to get you to sign a contract
- Roofing company is cold calling you, trying to drum up business
- The roofer doesn't have a local address
- You can't find local, legitimate reviews online for the roofing company
Another sign that your roofer may be a scammer is when they don't have a local physical address or a local phone number. Without local contact information, you should wonder where they are coming from and whether they will be available should a problem arise down the road.
Beware Storm Chasers
Because we live in an area well known for our hailstorms, Colorado Springs sees many out-of-town and out-of-state roofers coming into the area during hail season. These roofers are looking to make fast money at the expense of our residents who just want their damaged roofs fixed. They are called "storm chasers" because that is how they operate. When a big storm hits the area, these roofers fly in looking for a way to make a quick buck.
Generally speaking, if the roofer isn't well established in your area, they aren't worth working with.
How to Choose a Reputable Roofer
When looking for a roofer to replace or repair your home's roof, you want to make sure you are working with an honest and reliable company. An easy way to tell if a company is legitimate is to contact their references or look up local reviews online. A well-established and dedicated company will have no shortage of references and good, local reviews online. You should also look for a roofing company that is well-rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). For example, Divine Roofing, Inc. has an A+ BBB rating.
Why You Should Always Work with a Local Roofing Company
In addition to being licensed, well-rated, and reviewed, you want to work with a roofing company that is local to the area in which you live. A local roofing company not only understands your needs but also will be around when you have questions in the future. Unlike storm chasers who disappear as soon as the job is done, a local roofer, like Divine Roofing, Inc., is always just a phone call away.
Similarly, it's always a good idea to have the person who installed your roof perform your annual maintenance and make any repairs that crop up over the years. Over time, your roofer will get to know you and your home, all of which better enables them to provide you with the services you need when you need them.
If you are dealing with roofing damage, such as snow or hail damage, reach out to Divine Roofing, Inc. We are here when you need us most.