Apex roofing evaluation, is this legit?
 

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

It couldn't hurt to get a second opinion. There's another thread here talking about roof inspections. Skyline roofing I think.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ection-352300/

That is the script for the free roof scam.

The next step in the scam will be for them to present your father with a contract that contains words like "assignment of benefits" which gives them the right to act on your dad's behalf with the insurance company.

A second opinion from someone you or your dad trusts (rather than someone who saw your dad as a payday) would be a good idea.

Anyone who falls for this is a candidate to buy the bridge we have for sale.

stay awasy from them… you have been warned

Yeah I'm sure that's right, the contract needs to give assignment of benefits in order for them to have a shot of getting paid if they can get money out of the insurance company.

But is there a downside for the homeowner? I can see a downside for the insurance company, the roof inspector/sales guy, and the attorney. But I'm missing where the homeowner gets screwed. Can anybody spell this out for me?

Joe

The contract needs to give AOB in order for the roofer and the lawyer to inflate the costs and threaten to sue the insurance company. Without AOB, the homeowner would collect from the insurance and pay the roofer. The homeowner is not as practiced at bringing lawsuits and would not be interested in padding costs so it would not work out as well for the roofer.

Does the homeowner get screwed? I don't know. I could imagine his insurance company might drop him. I could imagine the insurance company might refuse to pay and prevail in court and the roofer might try to collect from the homeowner. There is a recent change in Florida law that restricts or prohibits the AOB that might come into play somehow.

More than anything else, the homeowner would need to live with his conscience knowing that he played a part in raising insurance prices for everyone.

Of course, if a second opinion confirms the damage and need for a new roof or if there is no AOB then there is no scam.

No
if there is damage contact the insurance co. If that does not work then a lawyer.
You will probably be asked to assign the proceeds to the roofer and not you. Another indication of a scam.
Contact your insurance broker, insurance co and better business beaures for their opinions and do what you are doing now.

Be sure to post when his insurance company won’t renew his policy.

Apex roofing did my neighbor’s roof. And my neighbor refused to let me use them. It is my understanding that the company asks you to sign over your rights with your insurance company and they charge the insurance company extremely high rates. This behavior of signing your rights over to them by some roofing companies, besides the fact that roofs are replaced far too often, is one of the main reasons why our property insurance premium have increased so much. Instead of taking these roofers to court, which is very expensive, insurance pays them out, and rolls their costs into our next year’s premiums.

OH dear, where do you live ? This scam is so old didn't realize anyone did not know how it all works... "assignment of benefits" and so on. Your dad actually gave this "inspector" (roof sales person who is contracted to make sure not direct employee for legal reasons. This is NOT a certified home inspector and if possible, will go on roof WITH OUT OWNER'S permission or knowledge. Giving permission will open resident to substantial legal liability if the "inspector" claims he was injured in any way... and remember, any "roofing" company that might benefit makes SURE this "inspector" is only a contracted employee paid on volume. This is a VERY dangerous scam. The Villages daily paper has written a detailed article on this, and it is well documented if you look up terms like: Florida consumer protection, etc. In the villages there are residents who have had these individuals PARK on the street BEHIND, and then "sneak" the ladder onto the BACK of a home so the resident does not see what is happening. Unfortunate we have relatives who moved here from South Florida. They fell for the "new roof free" scam, and their home owner's insurance company RAISED their premium by nearly $500 immediately after installation because "the value of the new roof, over the 12 year old roof on the home they purchased, is so much greater (that was their "explanation") THEN they used the increased $500 base to raise their premium another 35% at the next renewal period stating that is was "just the regular adjustment for the area" ????? Quite the racket here to say the least. Surprised your dad's agent did not tell him all about this. I know personally the agents at the Villages brokerage insurance office can tell you all about this !

Scam scam scam
 

Don’t walk away from them, RUN. I put a new roof on my house and the company said if Apex had been on my roof he won’t do business with me. They are going to hold your dad up in court for a year and your dad will be obligated to them. Check with BBB then stay away.

Run Forrest run

NO! do not under any circumstances allow them on your roof. I personally know of someone who did just for an inspection and regrets it.

Apex
 

Very bad reviews

I would have gone on the roof with them because you don’t know if this sales guy actually damaged the shingles before taking the pics. I would then hire a good home inspector or another roofer to check the roof out before doing anything.
I would also contact the state and maybe get them to do a sting operation with these guys to put these guys away.
If I needed a new roof, I would work with both my insurance company and the roofer, never sign any rights to a roofer and his lawyer, and just handle it myself. The roofer would have to be licensed and bonded, carry insurance for his employees in case something happened.

This is exactly why homeowners insurance is so bad. Ask yourself when was there a storm bad enough to damage your whole 10 year old roof the answer is not in the last 10 years. Also if there is some damage why can’t it be fixed. Never do business with anyone who knocks on your door and offers a free anything.

That smells like bad fish left out in the sun.

Find your own home inspector to go check it out. And think about reporting them to the BBB.

No to Apex
 

My best friend fell prey to this company. Signed a contract with them giving Apex’s attorney full rights to negotiate on her behalf. She went without insurance for an almost a year. Tried to get out of the contract and they would not release her. She ended up after a year with just a partial credit fighting with Apex and their attorney the whole time. Just the stress of having no insurance was terrible for her.
No to Apex, get two or three bids.

Some new contract protection rights for Floridians DeSantis has just recently put into play regarding roofs and contracts during hurricane season and times of declared emergency which seem to be the times scam artist roofers go door knocking (which I believe DeSantis created a law about that too but would need to research more to find it):

2024 Bill Summaries - The Florida Senate

This “roof scan” would not exist if home owners weren’t greedy. “Your insurance co will pay”. They are the same folks that fall for the “Medicare will pay”, etc. Always want to use OPM ( other people’s money). In this case other homeowners through increased premiums or, worse, cancellations or departure from the state.

Perhaps ask your own insurance company to do the inspection or recommend an inspector??

We've had some of those in our neighborhood, going door to door. Once, I did open when he rang but told him we weren't interested. The other day, this week, a young guy rang our door-bell but I didn't answer as I didn't recognize him. He left something hanging and it had to do with new roofs. IF and WHEN we'd need one---we'd go with a reputable business and not someone who feels the need to direct-sell. Too many folks in T.V. have been scammed by these people.

I've read that they charge an extremely high price to replace a roof. If the insurance company won't pay the full amount then the homeowner is responsible for the difference. In some cases it was more than the cost of replacing the roof with a legitimate company.

Padded costs for the new roof, now that makes sense. My parents managed to get in touch with a couple of people on their reference list and both couples said their roofs (paid for by insurance) cost over $40K....probably a solid 1/3rd higher than than what they should have cost (regular designer homes).

Sure appreciate the comments guys! 2nd opinion here we come!

Joe

There are a million red flags here. Run!! It’s an obvious scam.

Run from them as fast as you can!

Apex is a scam outfit. They make a phooey inspection, say there is 25% roof damage, then try to get you to assign insurance claim proceeds to them. You might get a new roof, and you might not.

Had a neighbor that was ignorant enough to sign that contract with APEX. After months of APEX fighting with his insurance company, he finally got his new roof. The price of his roof should have been in the $15K range. With all the legal back and forth the final price his insurance company had to pay was $24K. Stay away from these scammers.
Oh, by the way, his insurance company cancelled him.

Roof scam
 

[QUOTE=Fastskiguy;2362716]Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?




NO! It’s the reason insurance rates are through the roof, literally.(excuse the pun).
Roofs are made to last 20+ years. SCAM. Plus you could be committing a crime. Call your insurance company. Do not sign anything.

no such thing as a free roof we all end up paying with higher insurance rates.

roof insurance rip off
 

Yes, the downside for the homeowner is that his insurance premium will go up higher than everyone else. The homeowner will also have a much harder time getting insured once they quit or get dropped. Insurance companies aren't stupid and know when they're being scammed. The roof claim will be flagged for all other insurance companies to see. That owner will save money on that roof but will lose money in the long run. Apex roofing is a scam outfit and I question their work.

Stay away from any door knocker especially ROOFERS. Apex came to my house and I told them to leave immediately. I have inspected hundreds of roofs as an adjuster and I know their dirty little tricks. They know that you are not getting up on the roof and you have no idea what they are doing up there. Never Ever assign your insurance benefits to a contractor!!!!!!

Run Forest RUN!

I have had an experience like this in Michigan where a company came out after a hail storm and said my roof was damaged. They brought out an inspector from my insurance company and they agreed it was damaged and the insurance company gave a price to replace. I did not sign over the ability of the company to negotiate with the insurance company but had them do the work at the insurance company rate. They weren’t happy but did good work

When I moved to Florida and needed home insurance, the broker and the new company I used knew that I had replaced my Michigan roof and the broker told me I would pay a higher rate because of this. So there is some consequence to have your insurance company pay for a new roof. It’s also why Florida insurance rates have skyrocketed

Apex Roofers
 

I have been through the whole process with Apex, and , thankfully, I was warned just in time to save myself. STAY AWAY FROM APEX. Theu ae trouble all the way.

Lots of complaints -- run away from Apex Roofing

Our neighbor brought Apex over 2 years ago. I let him on my roof to inspect, to my surprise he found we needed a new roof. Told him I'd think about it. Called one of the major roofers in TV over for an inspection and he told me unless a severe weather event happened we had 5+ years left. Called them back to say no thanks. I think several in our area had their roofs replaced.

Run Don't Walk
 

I'm surprised these guys are still around as most of them closed up shop. Last year, the Legislature eliminated the "assignment of benefits" (AOB)to contractors, by which the roofers and their attorneys could directly sue the homeowner's insurer for the inflated price of a new roof and for bad faith. Also, the Legislature severely limited the damages in bad faith claims and provided that insureds who lose such lawsuits will have to pay costs to the insurance companies.

The AOB was the most abusive system of all time. It cost insurers $Billions and only benefit crooked roofing companies and their money-grubbing attorneys. Because of them, numerous insurance companies have gone insolvent or have left Florida. The result is that the premiums for homeowner's insurance has "gone through the roof" (how's that for a pun).

In short, tell the roofer to never again darken your door and give thanks that you didn't fall for his scam. ***Fair Disclosure*** I am an attorney and practiced for 40 years doing only litigation, including "bad faith" for both insureds and insurers. These roofing companies and their attorneys made me ashamed to be a member of the profession.

The Legislature and Governor DeSantis have barred the Assignment of Benefits and the homeowner must be the one to sue his insurer. This should end these infamous roofing scams by unscrupulous contractors and attorneys. In fact I'm surprised that a roofing company would be soliciting for business using this tactic.