Roofing fraud can be stressful, especially since roofs are one of the most expensive elements of a house. This type of fraud involves roofing contractors trying to take advantage of homeowners, such as by making false promises to them.
If you’re the victim of roofing fraud, you’ll want to know your legal options and take prompt action to recover your losses.
In this article, we explore how to spot roofing scams, what to do if you’re the victim of them, and when hiring a lawyer can help you deal with the situation. We’ll also look at ways to protect yourself from roofing scammers in the future.
What are Common Types of Roofing Fraud?
Some of the most typically-seen roofing fraud or scams involve the following:
- False promises. The contractor will make too-good-to-be-true guarantees or promises to get the homeowner to sign the contract or hire them for the job.
- Upfront payment. It’s a red flag if the contractor wants full payment before doing any work on the roof.
- Lies about the damage. If you’ve called the contractor to repair a problem with your roof, they might exaggerate the damage to get more money.
- Unexpected expenses. The contractor might create extra costs during the project, even though they weren’t included in the agreement. They might pretend that these additional tasks are a matter of urgency so you agree to them.
What Should You Do if You’re a Victim of Roofing Fraud?
If you notice the fraudulent behavior during the roofing project, you’ll want to stop the work immediately and report the fraud. Here are the steps you should take:
- Contact your state attorney general so they can investigate the fraudulent behavior.
- Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to file a complaint. Other people will be notified of the scam so they don’t fall for it.
- Contact a lawyer. ContractsCounsel, an online legal network, connects clients with vetted, experienced lawyers who have years of experience in helping clients with roofing fraud.
If you’re still in communication with the contractor, it’s worth writing to them about the issue you’ve noticed and ask them to stop doing the behavior or amend the situation. Get this in writing so that you have proof of your attempts to resolve the situation and their response.
How Can You Protect Yourself Against Roofing Fraud?
You can avoid falling for a roofing scam by doing the following:
Check for Solid Contracts
A roofing contractor should be willing to sign a contract for the project. If they don’t want to, this is a red flag that they’re not reputable.
If the roofing contractor has an agreement they want you to sign, don’t be pressured by them. Ask a lawyer to review it for you. They’ll spot any red flags, such as if the contract is filled with vague or confusing terms.
Hire a lawyer on ContractsCounsel to review the contract. Post your project for free on the site. You’ll receive multiple lawyer bids and can choose a lawyer based on experience and other factors.
Be Wary of Door Knockers
A common roofing fraud is when contractors knock on your door after a bad storm, saying that they will give you a free roof inspection to check for any damage. Once inside your property, they might create fake damage or pressure you to sign a contract for them to work on your roof.
Gather Documentation
If you suspect your contractor of roofing fraud, the best thing to do is collect as much information as you can, such as contracts, photos, messages exchanged with the contractor, and receipts.
This will help you if you need to take legal action against the contractor.
Request Credentials
You can protect against roofing fraud by requesting credentials from the contractor. If they’re professional, they will be able to show you proof of insurance and licensing.
Check Their Warranties
Warranties should come standard if you’re working with a top-quality contractor. The warranty should provide coverage on roofing materials and labor. It shows that the contractor takes their work seriously and wants to have happy clients.
How Can a Lawyer Help You With Roofing Fraud?
If you’re the victim of a roofing scam, hiring a lawyer from ContractsCounsel will help you throughout the process. Here’s what they’ll do.
- Contact the contractor on your behalf. They’re skilled at negotiating settlements to recover financial losses.
- Review your contracts to spot violations, loopholes, and red flags.
- File legal claims with knowledge about all the processes involved.
- Send demand letters to stop the contractor from continuing their fraudulent behavior.
What Legal Options Do You Have for Roofing Fraud?
Your lawyer can help you choose the best legal options so that you resolve the dispute with your contractor and recover losses. Legal options include arbitration and mediation.
Mediation is when you hire a neutral, third-party mediator to facilitate constructive communication between you and the contractor. They will let both parties negotiate and reach a favorable settlement. Many clients like this option because it leaves them in control of the situation and final decision.
Arbitration is similar to mediation as it tries to keep the case out of court, which makes it less costly and time-consuming for both parties. You’ll hire a third-party, neutral arbitrator who listens to both parties’ cases and considers the presented evidence. Then, they will decide a final, legally-binding resolution.
If these methods don’t work, you can go to court. A common reason for litigation is a breach of contract. If the roofer didn’t fulfill their duties as outlined in the agreement, this is a breach. By comparison, if the roofer was negligent, they didn’t work in a way to meet the standard of care and can also be taken to court.
By filing either of these claims, the court could force the contractor to amend the issue or provide compensation for damages.
Do you need a lawyer to help you with roofing fraud?
You should contact a vetted, experienced lawyer on ContractsCounsel. They will help you by minimizing your risks, avoiding illegal contracts, and protecting your assets.
