Ask Asa: Protect yourself from roof repair scams
Roof repairs can be costly. Consumer Reporter Asa Aarons Smith has strategies to help you get the most for your money by avoiding common repair cons.
Roof repairs can be costly. Consumer Reporter Asa Aarons Smith has strategies to help you get the most for your money by avoiding common repair cons.
Roof repairs can be costly. Consumer Reporter Asa Aarons Smith has strategies to help you get the most for your money by avoiding common repair cons.
Say a guy shows up at your door holding debris that looks like it could've fallen from your roof or chimney, maybe even a full-blown shingle.
"I noticed this fell off your roof," he explains. But he says it's your lucky day because he's a roofer and can go up for a look.
Or maybe someone drops by to show you an alleged infra-red satellite photo of your neighborhood — and warns it details stress cracks on your roof.
The first is an old con; the second is a newer one that uses today's technology. Both are designed to separate you from your cash. Here's what happens.
A con man will climb high on your roof where you can't see him. He'll eat lunch, smoke cigarettes, and maybe scroll on his phone for a while. Then he'll climb down an hour or two later and present you with a hefty bill for doing absolutely nothing.
Kevin Brasler, executive editor of Consumers' Checkbook, said your response to unsolicited repair offers should be a firm "no."
"If a company comes to your door to try to sell you remodeling work, deal with a tree, or put on a new roof—no. Those aren't the companies you want to work with," he said.
Okay. So you need roof repairs and follow the time-honored consumer advice of getting three or more estimates. When it comes to roofing, price is a factor, but it's not the most important consideration.
"Companies that do well by their customers, do the job right, and get high ratings from their customers for things like doing work properly are just as likely to quote low prices as high prices. There is no real price-quality relationship," Brasler said.
The old saying, "You get what you pay," collapses under its own weight regarding roofing.
If your roof repair is part of a homeowner's insurance claim, there's another thing to be careful about. Some contractors will offer you something called assignment of benefits, enabling them to take control of your claim, including decision-making. It sounds convenient, but things can go sideways very quickly.
"You need to be very cautious,” Brasler said. “You don't want to be embroiled in an insurance fraud operation. And often, that's what happens these days. Companies are committing widespread insurance fraud and seeking to involve you to get these payments."
Finally, if you pay in full in advance, all your clout goes out the window. Good roofing contractors usually have good credit and can order the supplies they need to do the job. They'll usually ask for a small amount—say 10 percent or 20 percent—to secure you a spot on their calendar.
If you have consumer questions or problems, contact me at asa@askasa.com.
