There is a lot of fraud in roof repair and installation. There are roofing contractors who roam the country, following storms and picking up jobs along the way from the damage caused by them. While many of them are reputable, some of them are not.
Following are three basic questions to ask any roofing company you’re thinking about using that can help you avoid getting scammed.
1. What is the full name and address of your roofing company? While this question seems so basic, remember what we stated above about roaming roofing contractors. You want a company that is local. If they give you an address, check it out to see if it’s viable (eg, not just a P.O. Box).
Also check with your local county clerk’s office to check their business license. Ask which county their business is registered in and go to that county’s website and pull up this info. You should be able to find a copy of their business license and when the business was registered there.
2. Insurance, Insurance, Insurance: You want a roofing contractor who has two types of insurance: liability and workman’s compensation. This covers you in case someone is hurt on the job. If the roofing contractor doesn’t have the proper insurance, it leaves you open to the possibility of a lawsuit.
3. Do you have any pending lawsuits against your company? A lawsuit can put a company out of business, which means that if they’re in the middle of your job, you can be the loser. If there is a suit pending, check to see what it’s all about. Some are frivolous and may be minor; however a major suit should be a cause of concern.
To get second opinions, so to speak, ask for references – and be sure to check them.
Asking these basic questions will go a long way towards helping you to ferret out the scam artists from the true roofing contractor professionals.
