Local Roofing Contractor warns Atlas Residents of Recent Scams

One common scam is a contractor who insists on getting paid before work begins, or who wants an unusually large down payment. They may also ask you to sign over your insurance check to buy materials. Avoid this by hiring a well-known company, like Good’s Roofing, with the proper credentials, bonding, insurance and a good reputation.

“These scam artist contractors will say, ‘Hey, all we need is we need that first check. You give that to us, we’ll get you scheduled to go,’ and then in the worst cases they just disappear”

Another common scam involves a friendly stranger going door-to-door in your neighborhood after a storm, offering quick, cheap labor for cash on the spot. Like the down payment ploy, they usually disappear once they have the cash. Some will do a little shoddy work first. Avoid this by just saying, “No thanks,” and remember, the best roofing companies are busy already and don’t have to solicit.

“Unfortunately, there might be scammers that come into town after a storm, so be sure that you’re checking the company you’re using – that they have a valid license, they have insurance so that you know that you’re working with a reputable company,” says Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks.

The third common scam is the too-good-to-be-true low bid. You jump at the chance to save money, but soon come the upcharges. In the worst cases, contractors will remove your existing roof and demand more money to finish the job. The final bill can easily eclipse those other bids you once had in your hand.

-ABC Channel 2 News