Roofing Scam

[RayinPenn]

End of May in Pennsylvania and a hail storm comes through, no biggie right? Except this time the hail has a diameter of 1.5 inches or more. My shinny RAV is safe sitting in the garage at work my wife's highlander and daughter's 100k miles plus CRV take a few hits. I am not concerned because it's not bad. Flash forward to about 10 days ago ..

Two friendly guys show up with at my front door we are doing roof inspections because of the hailstorm ..no cost to you. I say ok and they inspect and sure enough my 7 year old roof is blistered where the many stones hit. They say by the by that your shingle type is no longer in production. They then say you sign here we will meet with your home insurance inspector and bam new roof. I say NO I'll have the inspector come out and I'll see what he says .. They say ok, but we will meet him when he does the inspection. I say fine but I am not signing anything.

The insurance guy comes Tuesday... I'll do my due diligence on the roofing company but I still have a bad feeling?

[tommy steam]

Did you hire your own inspector ? There are several fine ones who advertise on here. Always get an independent inspector . If you need to have your roof replaced ,you can find roofers thru the shingle manufactures web site. Usually these roofers have been properly trained in the instillation of shingles in your area. No matter what , always check with the BBB to find if the roofer you may use has any complaints about them.

[buggyone]

I would also suggest calling one of the Seniors vs Crime offices and talk with one of their specialists to see if this company has any history with them. They keep files on all their cases and can tell you if there have been unresolved complaints against a company.

[tommy steam]

Ok so I jumped the gun, thought you were in TVs but info applies to anywhere.

[perrjojo]

My Grandson has a roofing company in Texas and he hates those guys that give roofers a bad reputation. Even a legitimate business will come by after a storm but make certain they are local and listed with the Chamber of Commerece and the Better Business Bureau.

[villagetinker]

I hah a similar experience, in PA. I had contracted 3 roofing companies for quotes on replacing a portion of the existing roof that was flat and leaking. The second company rep went up on the roof, and said "Hey you have hail damage". I went up and saw all the little 1/2 inch holes. Called Insurance company, they said "Hey are these 2 guys in a truck", no I had a reputable roofing company that found this. Third company agreed. Insurance company initially declined coverage, over the phone, but I went in a filed a formal claim, go that I did, hail storm was 50 weeks prior (1 year cutoff for claims), and I was approved for the cost to replace 1/2 of the roof, as the damage was only on the back half of the roof. The insurance company also explained there were some guys going around in a truck and ripping off the public. Also, it was good I had 3 estimates.

As an aside, the insurance company estimate was within a few hundred dollars of the middle firm estimate which the one I went with, I did not like what the low cost firm was proposing.

[Bogie Shooter]

Think gypsies. They follow the storms from the southern states.

[slipcovers]

Think gypsies. The follow the storms from the southern states.

The gypsies are big in roofing and driveway blacktop scams. Some are Irish gypsies, now want to be called travelers. Usually, they wear jewelry, rings,and necklaces. Dead give away.

[Medtrans]

The hail is a scare tactic. Same thing here in Chicago where we did have hail in the spring, but they came around last year with the same story with no hail. Roofers and siding companies. They say "why wouldn't you want to get new siding and/or roof paid for by your insurance? Problem is, it's still a claim and a ding against you as a homeowner. The first time I had someone come to the door I went outside with him and he pointed out a few spots which were really nothing, but then I couldn't get rid of him and he was so pushy, to the point of almost sticking his foot in the door, that I almost called the police. If you think you have hail damage, do your own investigating starting with your own ins co as to who to call. Never go with someone who comes to your door. There were several in our neighborhood here who got new roofs over all this but did they really need it?

[perrjojo]

The hail is a scare tactic. Same thing here in Chicago where we did have hail in the spring, but they came around last year with the same story with no hail. Roofers and siding companies. They say "why wouldn't you want to get new siding and/or roof paid for by your insurance? Problem is, it's still a claim and a ding against you as a homeowner. The first time I had someone come to the door I went outside with him and he pointed out a few spots which were really nothing, but then I couldn't get rid of him and he was so pushy, to the point of almost sticking his foot in the door, that I almost called the police. If you think you have hail damage, do your own investigating starting with your own ins co as to who to call. Never go with someone who comes to your door. There were several in our neighborhood here who got new roofs over all this but did they really need it?
Having lived in "hail country" I know all of those little dings will badly compromise your roof over time. If you have a reputable company inspect your roof and they say there is damage it may be wise to listen to them.