The roofing industry has long been rife with scammers—and while things have improved over the years, there are still many shady roofers out there. Knowing how to tell if a roofing company is legit is an important skill for homeowners to have.
As a roofing company committed to “Roofing Done Right,” our team at Elite Roofing & Solar has a few recommendations to help our readers identify trusted Denver roofing companies and recognize roofing scam warning signs.
Some of the best strategies homeowners have to tell if a roofer is legit include:
Licensing and insurance are important credentials for any roofer to have. Asking for documentation of a roofer’s liability insurance and business license is a surefire way to check that they’re operating aboveboard.
In addition, it’s a good idea to verify any roofer’s contact information. Do they have a consistent, local address and phone number? This establishes their presence in your community.
Lastly, researching a roofer through resources like Google Reviews or the BBB will give you an idea of their track record with previous customers.
Some common signs of a roofing scam include:
Typically, roofing scams will look too good to be true on the surface. For example, a roofer providing a very low quote is likely hiding something. In many cases, the roofer will encounter “unforeseen” problems, leading to a significantly increased final cost.
“Storm chasing” is another common tactic. Some roofers will travel around the country offering quick roof replacements immediately after storms hit. They’ll do shoddy work—but by the time the homeowner realizes their roof won’t last more than a year or two, the roofer is nowhere to be found.
While roofing scams are less common than they once were, homeowners should still be on the lookout.
Asking questions is one of the best ways to determine if a roofing company is legit. As you decide on the right residential roofer to replace your roof, ask each candidate:
Trusted roofing companies will be more than happy to answer any or all of your questions. In many cases, they may provide some of this information before you even have to ask, demonstrating their legitimacy and transparency.
If you talk to a roofer who seems cagy or unwilling to answer these questions, it’s generally best to hire someone else.
Working with a local roofing company has many advantages compared to roofers from out of town or big, national chains. The benefits of local roofers include:
One of the keys to a storm chaser’s scam is that they’re nowhere to be found by the time you realize they’ve conned you. When you work with a local, established roofer, however, their work must stand up to scrutiny, or else their reputation would be in shambles.
At Elite Roofing & Solar, our Denver team is committed to “Roofing Done Right.” That means completing projects by the book, transparent communication with our customers, and a commitment to superior quality.
Want a vetted, trusted local roofer for your project? Schedule your inspection with Elite Roofing & Solar today.
Elevation Marketing, Marketing & Strategy for Elite Roofing & Solar since 2014.
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