When you have a problem on your roof getting it repaired or replaced quickly is important. After all, the longer a roof leak remains in your home the more damage that you may have. Over time that damage may include mold growth in the home. This leaves many homeowners to make decisions about a roofing contractor in Ypsilanti Michigan without really knowing what sort of scams are out there. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the popular roofing scams and how to avoid them when getting a roof replacement or even a small roof repair on your Ypsilanti Michigan home.
Common Scams When Getting Roofing in Ypsilanti Michigan
One of the biggest problems when it comes to getting a roof contractor out to work on your home is that it’s not that common. Most roofing materials today can last for more than 2 decades so a roofing contractor who hasn’t been in business that long simply hasn’t been around long enough. So it’s not likely you’ll use the same roofing contractor that installed the roof unless they are a top notch company that has stood the test of time. Since there is so much time that can pass between when the roof needs to be replaced it simply isn’t easy to just pick someone but that’s what a lot of homeowners do when it comes to getting a roof replacement on their homes and that’s when many of these scams will show up. We’ll take a look at these common scams and how to avoid falling victim to one of them below.
Make a Down Payment and Work Never Starts
Many roofing contractors will require some type of upfront payment before the project start. The remainder of the payment is usually at the end of the project. On much larger commercial jobs there may be milestones during the project as well in which payment is required. While this is common the biggest scam is when the homeowner doesn’t get proper paperwork or receipts for the down payment. The contractor basically takes the money and never returns to do the job. While you may have legal recourse, it’s best to never hand over a down payment without proper documents in place.
Work Starts But Roofing Contractor Stops Mid Job
Maybe you hired a roofing that started the project but then stops mid way through. They may remove your roof but stop before the new roof is installed. Many roofing contractors will attempt to start as many jobs as they can so the homeowner is basically locked into the project with that contractor. The contractor may not even have the roofing materials to recover the home once the old roof is removed which can leave your home vulnerable. The usual excuse when this happen is that the materials needed to be ordered. Before the roofing projects start make sure the roofer has all the materials needed to complete the job. There should also be a time frame for completing the roofing project as well.
Bait and Switch Roofing Materials
There are several different manufacturers of roofing materials. Each of these manufacturers have different styles and quality when it comes to roofing materials. Some materials may be created to last 15 years while other are made to last 40 years or more. If your estimate states that you will get 40 year shingles installed make sure you do. It’s best to have the details about any roofing materials used in the contract for the roofing project.
A Contractor That Does Not Use a Contract
One of the biggest problems when it comes to protecting yourself during a roofing project is that you don’t have the proper documentation of what should be done. While it’s great to be able to talk with your roofing contractor about what they will do it’s much better to have it in writing. Most quality roofing contractors will use a roofing contract which details the specifics of the project. A detailed roofing contract can not only protect the roofer when there is a problem it can also protect the homeowner. Always insist on getting a copy of the roofing contract and ensure your roofing company uses it when doing any type of roofing service on your home.
While these scams are not common they are something that you should look out for. You can trust one of the top roofers in Ypsilanti Michigan and get a free consultation on your roofing project. Call Ypsilanti Roofing Company today at (734) 291-0165.
