Here are some tips from Universal Roofing – a family owned company with offices in Cinnaminson NJ and Center City Philadelphia. Licensed and insured in PA and NJ.
Here are few tips to avoid getting ripped off by a roofer or roofing contractor. Roofing scams are fairly common and while many roofers are honest a little knowledge can save you from an expensive lesson.
Here are some basic ways to protect yourself:
- Never accept unsolicited call or contact from roofing company.
- We recommend getting at least 3 competing estimates and 3 references
- Don’t always take the lowest bid.
- Ask roofing contractors to be specific on their bids: labor, and materials required. This will allow you to make valid comparisons between any estimates.
Here are descriptions of common roofing scams and how they work:
The Upsell – You accept the lowest bid from the roofer for roof repair. As the agreed work is done, additional problems appear out of nowhere. The roof contractor won’t get started on the additional work until he is paid for work already done. This cycle repeats several times until the cost of the entire repair is more than the estimate from the highest original bidder.
Free Inspection – Door to door operation salespeople canvass your neighborhood looking for people who think they need roof repairs. They claim that their work crews are already in the area, and offer a free inspection and special deals on repair for any roofing problem they find. These scam prey on the elderly and the handicapped because such customers cannot personally verify any damage on the roof and create phony estimates and contracts for non essential roofing work.
Roof Insurance Scam – The contractor convinces the homeowner that they can claim more damage than actually occurred. The roofer will prepare an estimate for insurance reimbursement. Insurance investigators look for exactly this kind of fraud. It’s too easy to get caught as a willing participant. The illegality will also tend to silence the owner against any other problem associated with the contractor. He cheats the customer and blames the homeowner if any fraud is discovered.
Take the Money and Run – A roofer asks for 50% to 100% of the job and either uses inferior materials or disappears with your money. Never give a roofer or contractor more than 50% of the deposit without checking references, and signing and reviewing a proposal and contract.
Universal Roofing and Contracting
501 N. Pompess Avenue 1230 E. Venango St.
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 Philadelphia, 19134
(856) 303-0945 (215) 425-5737
Roofing Repair Services: Roof Repair and Replacement Service Areas New Jersey &
Philadelphia:
Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Fishtown, Mayfair, Tacony, Rhawnhurst, Somerton, Fox Chase, Morrell Park, ParkWood, Chalfont, Academy Gardens, Northern Liberties, Old City, Northeast Philly, South Philly, University City, Center City
Burlington County NJ: Cinnaminson, Marlton, Delran, Evesham, Florence, Lumberton, Maple Shade, Medford, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Willingboro
Camden County NJ: Audobon, Bellmawr, Berlin, Camden, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gloucester, Gloucester City, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Lindenwold, Pennsauken, Pine Hill, Voorhees, Waterford, Winslow
Deptford County NJ: Gloucester, Glassboro, Gloucester, Mantua, Gloucester, West Deptford, Gloucester
PA Home Improvement & Roofing Contractor PA073915
New Jersey Home Improvement & Roofing Contractor 13VH05876900
