Avoiding Roofing Scams in Burleson, TX

When extreme weather hits, its effects can be devastating to your roof. Unethical individuals may try to take advantage of you while you’re vulnerable, taking money from hardworking people. Honey Bees Roofing & Solar wrote this article to give tips for avoiding roofing scams in Burleson. That way, you and your family will find great contractors like us for your next roofing project!

Things to Watch Out For – Avoiding Roofing Scams in Burleson, TX

Waving Deductibles

If a contractor tells you they will pay your insurance deductible, it’s most likely a scam. The only person that will benefit from “not paying your deductible” is the scammers themselves. They’ll use shoddy materials, not do all the work they bill for, and even overbill your insurance company. After submitting the deceptive invoice, the homeowner is the one guilty of fraud legally speaking. Consequently, the untrustworthy contractor proceeds to scam your friends and neighbors. Not only is this a terrible thing to do, but it’s also illegal, and “violators could get up to a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail.” If a contractor does attempt to persuade you that they will pay your deductible, report them to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.

It should also be noted that there are legitimate, legal ways to utilize insurance proceeds to offset the deductible. Please note the deductible is never “waived” or “paid for you”. This can be done utilizing the actual cash value portion also known as “ACV”. There are some caveats the policyholder needs to be aware of if this is a route they would like to pursue. We would be happy to educate the pros and cons of using ACV funds.

Asking for Upfront Payment

A tell-tale sign of a scammer is asking for all the money upfront. After payment, they vanish like dust in the wind without performing the work. Legitimate roofers, however, may ask for between 50%-70% upfront, depending on material cost as well as the size of the job. At Honey Bees Roofing & Solar, we don’t take a dime upfront on residential projects. We believe homeowners should see the quality of our work and service before being asked for payment.

Door-to-Door Salesmen

Door-to-Door salesmen may come to your home and tell you they noticed damages, or perhaps offer a free inspection on the spot. A free inspection can sound tempting, but can do more harm than good. Inspections made by unreputable roofers is unadvised. Scammers can “inspect” your roof, but once up there, cause damage, then photograph it, trying to fool you into paying them for damages they caused. If you believe there are damages on your roof, schedule a free appointment with a reputable roofing company, like Honey Bees Roofing & Solar, not some random contractor off the street.

Storm Chasers

Stormchasers are roofing companies, contractors, or opportunists that follow storms so they can prey on recently damaged roofs. They scam people out of their money, in some cases doing no work at all, then skip town to find the next storm. Avoid hiring contractors that aren’t local, and make sure to check their reviews.

Reviews and References

Legitimate roofing companies will have many reviews and references. By showing a history of good work, a roofer can showcase their trust and accountability. Make sure to look for these reviews yourself, that way illegitimate roofers can’t try to fool you with fake reviews.

Your roof is a key factor in the structural integrity of your home. Honey Bees Roofing & Solar maintains transparency with our customers and keeps you apart of the process every step of the way so you know exactly what is happening with your home. If you need an inspection or a reputable roofing company, Contact Honey Bees Roofing & Solar online or give us a call today at 817-668-6131!