If you are looking to invest in a new roof, an internet search will result in horror stories about people who got ripped off by their contractors. Contractors may take your money and then do a terrible job, never complete the work or just pocket the cash and walk away. Before you pick a company – before even putting in a call – there are several things you should check. Doing your homework first will help you determine if the Florida roofing company is reputable and avoid the pain of roofing scams.
Contractor’s Website: Warning Signs
As you look for services, you are probably browsing potential contractors’ sites. It’s important to look past their front splash page and browse the other parts of their site. If they are missing certain features, you should be on guard.
- Do they have a testimonial page, and does that page have links to outside reviews or social media sites?
- Have they created social media sites of their own, such as Facebook or a Google Business Profile?
- Do they belong to any local groups either in the construction industry or the community in general?
Checking Social Media: From Yelp to Google
If you find a company that seems on the level, do a quick vetting process on social media review sites. Other sites such as Google can pull information from numerous sources. Many reviewers post to Google, Yelp, Facebook and other directories to reach the most people. Like many social media sites, it’s important to focus on the content of both positive and negative reviews. Having all high or low ratings may not be related to actual services rendered.
See if the company has responded to negative reviews. This will help you determine if the company is responsive or are hiding until their next roofing scam.
The Better Business Bureau
One often overlooked resource for looking at a company is the Better Business Bureau. A non-profit organization, the BBB actively seeks out reviews and contacts companies about problems reviewers have brought to their attention. Look at the business’s rating from the BBB, as well as complaints made against the company. While many roofing businesses will have complaints, check to see if the company has resolved (closed) these complaints. This will tell you that whether the Bureau contacted the company and the issue was resolved.
Certifiable Certification
Many roofing companies are certified to use certain roofing suppliers’ materials and systems. This certification system holds the company to exacting standards as well supplying the contractor with superior materials. Many services even have a superior certification for contractors who have been in the field for many years with a proven reputation.
We hope this article has shed some light on avoiding disreputable roofing contractors. While all of these tips can be used for general contracting, roofing in particular can leave people desperate for a quick fix with a leaking or damaged roof. If you have any questions about contracting practices, please contact us. All Weather Tite of Port Charlotte, Florida is a certified GAF Master Elite contractor and we are dedicated to getting the job done right the first time.