The roof is one of the most important components of any home. No part plays a bigger role in keeping the elements out, so when a roof requires repair, you have little time to waste.

The desire to have a roof quickly replaced and the fact that most people have little experience working with a roofing contractor can set an unsuspecting homeowner up for a variety of scams.

Fraudulent roofing contractors prey on vulnerable homeowners and have become increasingly bold in their tactics.From unlicensed storm chasers to a mysterious door-to-door salesman, there are many ways to fall victim to roofing scams.

#1 The Disappearing Down Payment
A common roofing scam occurs when a company agrees to replace a roof, but requires a down payment before starting the work. The company will say it needs the down payment to buy materials or to pay for labor, but it never returns once the check is in hand.

In most cases, the company will convince the homeowner to sign over or cash an insurance check as a down payment and then disappear.

#2 The Door-to-Door Salesman
One of the biggest scams in the roofing industry involves the door-to-door salesman who shows up unannounced with the promise of a free roof.These scammers will target neighborhoods with a large number of senior citizens, older homes or where a major storm has hit.

Under the disguise of a free roof inspection, the scammer will go up on the roof and fabricate damage to mimic storm damage, or present a photo showing roof damage from a different home and claim it came from the homeowner’s roof. 

To protect yourself from this scam, do not sign any paperwork until your insurance company has inspected the roof. 

#3 The Storm Chaser
Out of all the roofing scammers, the out-of-town storm chasers are the most publicized, yet people all across the country fall victim to them. Also known as roofing gypsies, these roofers travel around the country following the paths of storms looking for homeowners to exploit.

The way the scam works is the storm chasers will blanket an area hit by hail or wind damage and look for unsuspecting homeowners in need of roof repairs. They’ll pass out leaflets and even show up unannounced or offer a free inspection.

The best way to avoid the storm chaser is to do your own research. Ask to see proof of insurance and check the roofer’s license status with your local building department or licensing agency.

#4 The Fluctuating Bid
In a roofing scam sometimes referred to as the “elevator ride,” a contractor will offer a low bid that is far less than other companies in the area. The contractor knows the homeowner doesn’t have a lot of experience dealing with a roof replacement and since it’s an expensive job to begin with, the homeowner jumps at the low bid.

Once the job begins, unexpected costs and unforeseen problems suddenly appear. The contractor might claim an increase in the cost of materials, or find damage that wasn’t addressed when the contract was agreed upon. In some instances, the contractor will literally remove the old roof and threaten to leave if additional payments aren’t made.

By the time the job is finished, it ends up costing substantially more than what was initially agreed upon.

#5 High-Pressure Sales
One all-too-common roofing scam involves a contractor who will show up to a scheduled consultation, or unannounced in a neighborhood where other homes are having roofing work done. Promising a special deal or exceptionally low rate, the roofing contractor will pressure the homeowner to sign a contract on the spot.

If the homeowner puts up any kind of resistance to the sales pitch, the contractor will make dishonest claims or mislead the homeowner to enter a legally binding contract.