Avoid These Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

Not all roofing contractors are legitimate, and too many home and building owners have paid dearly for using them. Below are some situations to look out for. If you have questions or concerns about a roofing contractor, please contact the ORCA office, we will be glad to assist you.

Contractors Asking for Money Upfront

If a contractor asks for money upfront, that could be the sign of a potential scam. The elderly, in particular, are often targeted by scammers who get payment (partial or in full) upfront and then never return or complete the work. Homeowners should beware of paying anything upfront or making a final payment before a job is complete. In some cases, a partial payment upfront is not cause for alarm, such as 1) when a partial payment is required for materials, after they have been delivered to the project location and 2) if a special order, custom made or high-end product is required.

Storm Chasers –Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

When storms hit in Oklahoma we see an influx of out-of-town roofers (a.k.a. storm chasers), who “work the storm” and then leave town not long after the storms do, unable and unwilling to service any kind of warranty they promised. Similarly, we also see “in-town” storm chasers, who may be from the area, but have no roofing expertise, yet suddenly jump into the roofing business simply because there is significant opportunity to make money. Pick a company that is local and a member in good standing with ORCA.

If the bid is significantly lower than their competitors

Why? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Price is only one consideration when selecting a roofing contractor. Make sure you don’t pay more later by hiring a contractor that is uninsured, performs substandard work and/or leaves Oklahoma shortly after the storms do. Also, a low price that is below other contractors’ costs is an indicator that the roofing materials being used may be stolen goods, a growing problem that is a federal offense.

Contractor Warning Signs

To protect yourself and your family from inexperienced, uninsured contractors, and out-of-state contractors who may not be experienced repairing storm damage, or have your best interests in   mind, watch out for the following warning signs:

• Out of state license plates
• No local office
• No insurance or under-insured
• Won’t provide local references
• Demands upfront cash or deposit
• Poor BBB ratings or no local ratings