5 Warning Signs to Look Out for When Hiring a Roofing Contractor. There are no one-size-fits-all contractors in the roofing industry. There are good ones, bad ones, and those who do not fit any of these categories. That’s why homeowners need to do due diligence when researching and choosing a contractor for their roofing project.

Most homeowners make the mistake of choosing the cheapest contractor they can find for their project. However, when it comes to roofing projects, you get what you pay for. To help you make the most of your roofing investment, our experts have listed some of the most common red flags you should look out for when hiring a contractor.

5 Warning Signs to Look Out for When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

1. Storm Chasers – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

If you live in an area prone to extreme weather events such as rains, humidity, and hurricanes, you should beware of storm chasers. These are fly-by-night roofing contractors who usually show up right after the storm but disappear after performing a shoddy job. This means, you won’t get any warranty or post-installation services that they usually promise before being hired.

Most of the storm chasers do not have sufficient skills and expertise to perform roofing jobs, nor are they properly licensed to operate in the local area. They take up roofing jobs just to make some quick money before vanishing into thin air.

That’s why make sure to avoid such contractors at all costs. The best approach is to choose a well-established local contractor that has been operating in your area for enough time.

2. No References/ No Portfolio

People living in areas with unpredictable climates are more likely to deal with unprofessional roofers who want to take advantage of their unfortunate situation. One of the telltale signs of these fly-by-night contractors is that they have no past work to showcase. A trusted contractor is always happy to show you a portfolio for references of their previous jobs.

Besides their previous jobs, ask them to give you some references. At this point, most of the fraudulent contractors will stop all their communication with you because they simply cannot provide you with any local reference.

3. Asking for Cash Only Upfront Payments

Demanding the entire payment upfront is also a warning sign that you are dealing with a storm chaser. Their most common targets are elderly homeowners. Once they get the full payment, they never return to the job. Having said that – some trusted contractors may need some partial payment so that they can deliver the material to your location. But, if your contractor is demanding full payment upfront, before even starting your project, it’s better to go for another contractor.

4. High-Pressure Selling

Dishonest roofers use many manipulative tactics to get an upper hand. A common scam is telling gullible homeowners that one of their customers living in the same area has canceled their project, so they can offer them some great discounts provided they start their project immediately.

Some of them may even claim the roofing work that they haven’t done in the first place, by targeting homeowners that have newly replaced roofs in the neighborhood. If you feel that your contractor is using high-pressure sales tactics, avoid them at all costs. Instead, choose a trusted local roofing contractor that is associated with reputable brands like Owens Corning. This ensures that a highly reputable and experienced contractor will work on your roof.

5. Ridiculously Low Prices

As already mentioned, when it comes to roofing jobs, you get what you pay for. Dishonest roofers will always try to trap you with incredulously low bids. They do all this just to make you sign the contract as fast as possible. In such cases, inexperienced homeowners do not have enough time to read the fine print. Once your roofing system is torn apart, they are highly likely to raise the price in the name of new damages or upgrades

In conclusion:

When choosing a roofing contractor, remember all these warning signs and always choose a contractor from your local area. Make sure to avoid fly-by-night roofers or any contractor demanding payment upfront or anyone who can’t provide enough evidence of their experience.

For more guidance and to know about our roofing services, give Lenox Roofing Solutions a call at 843-839-2445 and schedule a FREE consultation today in Surfside Beach, Garden City, Horry, and Myrtle Beach, SC.

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