As the spring season approaches, we feel it is imperative to remind homeowners in Calgary of the roofing scams that have inflicted financial harm on countless residents across Canada. While the prevalence of these scams has decreased in recent years, it is crucial to remain vigilant, as they can resurface at any time, potentially causing unsuspecting homeowners to fall prey to deceitful practices and suffer the loss of their hard-earned money.

As a resident of Calgary and a responsible homeowner, the maintenance and upkeep of your property are of utmost importance to you. Amongst the most crucial components of your home is your roof, which shields you and your family from the harsh elements of nature. Sadly, fraudulent individuals seek to exploit unsuspecting homeowners by offering them “free roof inspections,” which ultimately turn out to be nothing more than scams.

It is imperative to remember that the notion of something being “free” does not necessarily mean it is in the best interest of you or your roof. This is particularly true when an individual masquerading as a company representative happens to be “passing by” and notices an issue with your roof.

These opportunistic scammers utilize coercive sales tactics to manipulate unsuspecting homeowners into paying for unnecessary repairs or replacements, often amounting to exorbitant costs of thousands of dollars.

It is a disheartening reality that numerous homeowners in Calgary and throughout Canada are victimized by these scams annually. These fraudulent schemes not only result in homeowners losing their hard-earned money but also have the potential to undermine the reputation of genuine and credible roofing contractors.

In this blog post, we will provide an overview of “free roof inspection” scams and how you can identify them.

What Is A ‘Free Roof Inspection’ Scam?

In most cases, these scammers do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to carry out a legitimate inspection or repair work. They usually take advantage of a homeowner’s lack of knowledge about roofing systems and use scare tactics to convince them to agree to costly repairs or replacements.

This ‘free roof inspection’ scam involves individuals or companies offering to provide homeowners with a free roof inspection. They usually target unsuspecting homeowners by cold-calling or going door-to-door. While these ‘companies’ may appear professional and legitimate, they provide very vague answers when you inquire about their certifications, licensure, and business location.

These company representatives approach homeowners with unsolicited offers of a free roof inspection and then show them pictures of the damage that they most probably took from another roof. To gain a homeowner’s trust, they might even rip off shingles during the inspection to show wind or storm damage.

Also Read: Deceitful Door-To-Door Marketing

Ultimately, they commence work and request an upfront payment, only to disappear and never return. The homeowners are often left perplexed and betrayed without a trace or clue of where to look for the scammer because they didn’t ask for their business license number.

For this reason, you must always entrust all your roofing problems to a reliable roofing contractor that has the potential to and is willing to provide only high-end Roof replacement, repair, or maintenance services.

How To Identify A Roofing Scam?

Here are some warning signs that can help you identify a roofing scam:

• Unsolicited offers: Be cautious of individuals or companies that contact you out of the blue with unsolicited offers of a free roof inspection or repair work.
• High-pressure sales tactics: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to convince homeowners to agree to repairs or replacements, such as insisting on immediate action or offering limited-time discounts.
• Lack of credentials: Legitimate roofing contractors will typically have the necessary qualifications and insurance. Be sure to ask for proof of these before agreeing to any work.
• Cheap materials: Scammers may use low-quality or substandard materials, which can lead to further damage and more expensive repairs down the line.
• Door-to-door sales: Genuine roofing contractors like AKRoN Roofing usually rely on referrals or advertising rather than going door-to-door. Be wary of individuals or companies that come to your door offering their services.
• Payment upfront: Scammers may ask for a full or partial payment upfront, claiming it is required to purchase materials. Legitimate contractors will typically request payment upon completion of the work.

By being aware of these warning signs, homeowners can avoid falling prey to roofing scams and protect themselves from unnecessary expenses and damage to their property.

If you believe you have been scammed in any way, file a complaint immediately with Service Alberta.

How To Avoid Being Scammed

As emphasized earlier, scammers take advantage of a homeowner’s lack of knowledge and use high-pressure tactics. Thus, the best way to protect yourself is to simply say no to any company that comes to your door uninvited. Instead, use reliable sources to seek out a reputed roofing contractor and ask them for assistance with regard to all your roofing needs.

About AKRoN Roofing

AKRoN Roofing never solicits door-to-door and we don’t take contracts to estimate appointments. We provide homeowners with information to make an informed decision without pressure. We encourage homeowners to get competitive quotes from other legitimate contractors and are always available to discuss our quotes. AKRoN Roofing provides residential roof replacement, maintenance and repair to Calgary and surrounding area homeowners. Our team of certified and experienced roofers can handle an array of roofing jobs diligently and efficiently. Learn more about AKRoN Roofing.

Need residential roofing services? Protect what you love by contacting us today.