An unplanned event

The vast majority of roofing projects are an unplanned response to a crisis, and this is a difficult time to choose the best roofing contractors. The most common roofing scam is pulled off by storm chasing con men who take advantage of homeowners in the midst of turmoil after a major storm. These unscrupulous con men wander door-to-door posing as roofing contractors. They prey on homeowners who are in a panic to get a reliable roof over their heads. Many of these fake roofers are from out of state; many will take money without ever repairing or replacing a roof.

Explaining the scam

There were countless consumer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau regarding unscrupulous roofing contractors in 2012. It is conceivable that there are thousands more roofing scams that are never reported to the Better Business Bureau. Many of these roof installers are from out-of-state, or they are unlicensed roofers who systematically head to storm-ravaged areas to take advantage of emotional homeowners in desperate need of roof repairs. These scam artists are looking to make a quick buck and disappear.

Consider these guidelines to help you choose the best roofing contractors:

• Never hire a contractor on pricing alone. Extremely low pricing is a very good indicator that the bid and the roofing company are illegitimate.
• Refuse the services of any contractor that requires upfront payment in order to purchase materials for the job. This is an indicator that the company is not a serious entity that will be around if you have problems with the work in the future. There is also a high likelihood that they will take the money and run. No down payment or a 10% start up fee is acceptable, but make sure that you get your insurance company to sign off on the contractor before you pay.
• Do not panic or feel pressured to hire someone from out of state because all the local contractors are extremely busy or slow to respond. Go through the same process you would use during a normal situation. Screen roofing contractors from reliable online sources such as the Better Business Bureau or a trusted consumer review website.
• Call your insurance company and file a claim if you can see obvious damage. Insurance company adjusters know the local and legitimate contractors and can be a safety net for your screening process.
• Avoid hiring any roofing company that is going door-to-door, especially if they have questionable or no documentation.
• Even in an emergency situation, ask the roofing contractor for references. The list should have the names and phone numbers of recent jobs that are done locally. Never hire any contractor that cannot provide references.

A trustworthy roofing contractor in Greensboro, NC

If you are looking for one of the top contractors in the Triad Area, consider Triad Installations. Triad has been serving the people of Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, and the surrounding areas for over twenty years. They also specialize in several home improvement specialties such as vinyl siding and window replacement. If your home has been damaged in a severe storm, Triad installations can help you in so many ways. Make Triad Installations your first call in your search for reliable and trustworthy roofing contractors.