Roofing scam in my area.

moosedog

moosedog

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Michigan has been getting some recent heavy storms and hail. Now I see signs all over by certain roofers advertising for repairing storm damage.
My neighbor, and another friend of mine have been talking about getting new roofs for a while as my wife and I are about to get ours done too.
They both admitted to me that contractors came out, looked over the roof and actually tore shingles off and may have faked hail damage and then took pictures to put in a claim with the homeowners insurance companies. So far, my one neighbor got a whole new roof out of this, and the other friend is waiting on the insurance company's ok.
I'm losing faith in people.
 
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Last Friday we had a hailstorm with some hailstones over 3" in size. Thankfully I had just put my truck into the garage when the hail started.

Two years ago our roof was replaced due to hail damage. I'm surprised that only 3 roof salesmen have stopped by so far. They all wanted to be present when the adjuster is here and all wanted to go on the roof to check things out. Nope, the adjuster doesn't need any guidance or prodding from a salesman!
 
I lost most of my faith in people (humans) a long time ago. Although, I AM going to be getting all new windows & a front door. Only 12 windows, and no payment until 30 days after they finish and I sign off to the foreman job is done. Plus lifetime/forever warranty that also covers labor, and if my rambunctious pup puts her paw through a screen they will replace that, also no charge. So far they seem to be legit...TBD. Yesterday the project manager & his trainee said it'll only be a one day job and gave me a date for about 5 weeks from now. One more thing off the "getting house ready to sell" list.
 
If they don't have a local shop in the area, or an ad in the phone book beware. You can still find yellow pages at a library.
 
Roofing is one of the most messed up trades, a mine field of flakes and reputable companies. Do a lot of research and check references. Avoid anyone who can do your job in"1 day".
 
After the big hail storm up here last June, houses are still getting roofs and siding. Roofing contractors are not really a scam, just enhanced con artists. In Colorado they are first class thieves. One owner, two inspector/sales person and two office workers. They subcontract to Mexican companies and pocket 60% or more. Up here a lot of the Mexican companies subcontracted for work. Siding and roofing. Can't do a roof in a day. Some of these guys did 2 roofs a day. Sided a house in 2 days. A lot of houses up here are small ranch style 1000 - 1300 SQ ft. Wind blew some of the new siding off within 3 or 4 days.
 
AKtinman said:
Two years ago our roof was replaced due to hail damage. I'm surprised that only 3 roof salesmen have stopped by so far. They all wanted to be present when the adjuster is here and all wanted to go on the roof to check things out. Nope, the adjuster doesn't need any guidance or prodding from a salesman!
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Unfortunately, you’re just as likely to be cheated by the insurance company as the salesman. The adjuster isn’t your friend.

It’s actually to your benefit to have the salesman there with the adjuster. Don’t imagine that the adjuster is going to be fair. The salesman serves as an expert witness in the event there’s a dispute with the insurer: and it costs nothing, in contrast to what it would cost to hire one for litigation. Tends to keep the adjuster honest

Certainly roofers can take your money and disappear. Good luck chasing them down or ever getting the money back.

On the other hand,Insurance companies are notorious for denying claims. It’s first year law school that insurance companies make money selling coverage and denying liability.

If you need to chase the insurance company, at least you know where to find them and they have plenty of money to make it right.
 
We have groups of Gypsie roofers hit the area every spring. No matter how many times the authorities tell people not to deal with them, the elderly still pays in advance for jobs that never gets done.
 
Got a large asphalt parking lot. Can park maybe 30 cars. Get someone wanting to resurface the thing at least one a month. In between them some wanting to do roof. Why can’t people get a honest job anymore?
 
We closed on and moved into our new (to us) home a month ago. In that time our mailbox has been fed a daily diet of offers from every conceivable type of contractor, mortgage refinance companies, insurance providers and exorcists.

Fire pit fodder.
 
We have those scams after every storm/Hurricane. We need money for materials, and if you give it to them, you never see them again. ...Payment for services only after service is satisfactorily rendered.
 
Yea we had them thru about a month ago. Hail storm came throught!. I walked my roof looks ok, called Insurance co, they stated if I was going to pursue get a Licensed roofing contractor to walk the roof! Neighbor across the strret got a new roof and siding on house! That roof hasnt been done in 20 years.Hope she gets it shoved where sun doesnt shine!!!!
 
The huge tree that a neighbor had growing......

Kenna said:
Yea we had them thru about a month ago. Hail storm came throught!. I walked my roof looks ok, called Insurance co, they stated if I was going to pursue get a Licensed roofing contractor to walk the roof! Neighbor across the strret got a new roof and siding on house! That roof hasnt been done in 20 years.Hope she gets it shoved where sun doesnt shine!!!!
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...under his foundation and was cracking it, broke off in the Hugo Hurricane about 12 feet high, flew through the air and crashed through the end of my house and belly flopped on the roof destroying the roof from the bedrooms to the kitchen. I got to repair my house while the insurance company fixed his foundation.
 
dockmurgw said:
If fraud is rampant then expect your rates to skyrocket. Just ask Florida.
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Up until the .gov stopped it folks were getting $20K roofs for the $500 deductible. My HO insurance went from $832 to $4,000+ for the current year. We paid $17.6K 18 mos ago for a "lifetime guaranteed" new roof. Except insurance cos won't cover a house with a roof older than 11 years. Joe
 
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