7 Ways to Avoid Common Roofing Scams in Florida

Florida roofs suffer a lot; they take the brunt of the elements and are exposed to the intense Florida sun. They are also often put to the test by more severe weather, including hurricanes, tropical storms, and other natural disasters. After such severe, devastating weather, everyone will be assessing their property to see the extent of the damage it suffered. 

Unfortunately, it also means that some will come and try to take advantage of individuals with roof damage by luring them in with enticing offers and false promises. Many uninformed homeowners fall into these traps, only to discover they have been victims of one of the many Florida roofing scams. It leaves them with a poorly done roof that costs them thousands of dollars.

While it is no fault of the homeowner, ensuring you don’t fall into the same trap is crucial. To avoid it, you need to understand these roofing scams and how to avoid them. 

Keep reading to learn about the most common scams and tips for finding a trustworthy company that will do you right. 

Common Roofing Scams

These are the most common roofing scams in Florida that you must be aware of and watch for to make sure that you don’t become another victim:

1. Storm Chasers

The more prevalent scams involve so-called “storm chasers,” who exploit the destructive nature of hurricanes and other severe weather. These roofing scam artists watch for this form of weather and then search for roofs damaged by the storm, whether rain, hail, or other storm damage. They will go door-to-door, passing out information and offering their services to repair your roof, even to those with roofs in good condition. 

Sometimes, they’ll even claim to have worked on a roof somewhere in the neighborhood to try and gain your trust. They may even claim to have extra materials from that “previous job,” and offer a discount if you hire them to do your roof. 

If you were to take them up on their offer, you’d end up with a poorly installed roof that won’t last long. Even worse, you may have never needed it in the first place.

2. It Sounds Too Good to Be True

As you shop around for a roofing company, always be wary of offers that sound too good. This is yet another of the roofing scams to be aware of. Less reputable and uncertified roofers will try to get you with these low-ball offers that can be incredibly tempting compared to the competition. That too-good quote will slowly but surely creep up as the company works, with them claiming something like “unforeseen issues.” 

While material costs fluctuate, a reliable company will discuss this with you before starting and update you with clear, explicit explanations of any cost increases. Ultimately, you can end up paying more than the competitor quoted you. 

3. There’s “Mystery Damage”

One of the sneaky Florida roof scams you may encounter is the “mystery damage” scam. This is similar to the first scam on this list, where a roofing contractor contacts you, claiming they noticed damage on your roof and offering his services to repair it. The problem is, when you look, you don’t see anything. They’ll offer to take a look and then claim it is severe and needs to be repaired immediately. 

The truth is, you were right: there is no damage. At least, not enough to be of concern. They’re just preying on uninformed homeowners, hoping to make money. 

4. They Commit Insurance Fraud

Of all the roofing scams in Florida, some of the worst are the roof insurance scams. There are several ways for a contractor to commit insurance fraud. One method is submitting two invoices: one with a lower amount that goes to the homeowner and the second with a higher amount that goes to the insurance company. They may tell you that by overbilling the insurance, they will get enough money back to reimburse you for your domicile. 

This isn’t just one of the Florida roofing insurance scams; it is a serious crime, and even though you would be a victim, you could still be prosecuted. 

5. It’s a High-Pressure Sale

Another of the typical Florida roofing scams involves pushy contractors. These contractors will try to pressure you into signing a legally binding contract right then and there without giving you time to think about it, check out other companies, or making sure that this one is legitimate. They will use various tactics to try and hook you, going as far as to guilt you into signing that you’ve “wasted their time” or make you feel foolish for not trusting them. 

You should never feel pressured into deciding on the spot or be made to feel guilty or foolish for not signing a roofing contract. It doesn’t feel right; don’t hesitate to say no. 

6. They Use Low-Quality Materials

Another of the roofing scams in Florida involves shady contractors who inflate their profit margins by charging high prices or repairs, only to use low-quality materials. It will look like they fixed the issue, but the materials they used are so low quality that they are just covering the problem, and it will only continue to worsen. Eventually, if the homeowner doesn’t catch on, they will end up paying significantly more for repairs.

7. They Require a Large Down Payment

Another common roofing scam to watch for involves contractors who demand large down payments before they start work on your roof. These people will take your money and run without ever working on your roof, never to be heard from again.

This isn’t to say down payments are bad. A respectable contractor will charge a down payment to cover the cost of the materials. The issue comes with the amount; it should not exceed 20% of the projected bill. Anything higher, especially if it’s half or more, is a red flag. 

These are just some scams, but there are many more. The best thing you can do is learn to avoid scams while finding a reliable contractor to work on your roof. 

How to Avoid Scams

Here are some tips to help you avoid Florida roofing scams.

Don’t Rush Things

While fixing or replacing a damaged roof as soon as possible is important, that doesn’t mean you have to rush into things. Scammers will take advantage of you, trying to rush into things, charging higher prices, or pressuring you into a contract on the spot. 

So, take the time to do your search and check each company’s insurance coverage and references. You also want to look at the status of their licenses and their Better Business Bureau (BBB) page for any complaints against them.

Research, Research, Research

Research is critical to making the best decision possible. You want to talk to various companies and compare their pricing, the materials they offer, the timeline they estimate, and the different payment methods. A reputable contractor should be transparent about pricing and not try to upsell you on things you don’t need.

Don’t Trust Everyone That Comes to You

If someone shows up at your door claiming to be a roofing contractor and saying they see damage on your roof, be wary. Don’t let them get on your roof to check it; instead, call a reputable roofing company to inspect it. You should also never accept someone’s claim without checking first.

Listen Carefully

It is always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with house repairs, especially when avoiding roof insurance scams. Listen carefully to everything a contractor says, and if it sounds too good to be true, get another quote. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

Scheduling a consultation or inspection with a company does not mean you are agreeing to their services. You should not feel pressured to sign any contract unless you are ready and trust the contractor. 

Finding a Reputable Company

Here are some more tips for finding a reliable roofing contractor: 

Check Their Licensing and Insurance

You should always verify that a contractor is licensed and insured to work in Florida. To be 100% sure of their information’s validity, cross-check it with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can also use the DBPR website to search for licensed contractors.

Check References

Request references from the contractors you are getting quotes from and get into contact with those references. Any reputable contractor will be willing to provide this information.

Read Online Reviews

While you don’t want to rely solely on online review platforms, they are an excellent source to look at. Check sites like Yelp, Google, and Angi to see which roofing contractors have the highest ratings. Paying attention to positive and negative views and looking for consistency is vital.

Get Multiple Quotes

Never go with the first company you talk to. You should get three to four quotes from different companies to compare prices and services. This will help you identify discrepancies and identify potential red flags. 

Insist on Written Contracts

Always insist on having a written contract that clearly states the work that will be done as well as the total cost of the project, the timeline, payment schedules, and any warranties or guarantees. This will help to protect you from potential scams. Before you sign anything, review it carefully to ensure everything is accurate and clear.

Avoid Large Upfront Payments

Never pay more than 20% of the project cost upfront. Always discuss this before signing contracts or agreeing to any work. 

Working with a Reputable Roofing Contractor

There are many roofing contractors in Florida; unfortunately, not all of them are honest or reputable. Since the beginning, Florida Speciality Roofing has been dedicated to providing honest, high-quality service to customers throughout Florida. We are a fully licensed and insured company and use only the best products, working with residential, commercial, HOA, and multi-family roofing. Look at what our countless happy customers have to say.

Contact us today to get a quote for your roof and to view our completed projects.