How To Avoid Storm Chaser Scams
Here in the Portland Metro/Columbia County area, severe weather events don’t happen very often, but when they do, it’s important to be prepared. “Storm chasers” will solicit in neighborhoods recently hit by a severe weather event. It’s important to protect yourself and your home to avoid storm chaser scams. There are some occasions during summer and winter months when a strong wind storm or snow event does occur. Will you be prepared for the aftermath?
It is important to address any issues right away and if you are not sure if there is any damage to your roof, you should contact a roofing professional for a proper roof inspection. Any damaged areas to your roof that could allow water in will cause major damage to your roofing structure and create mold if not taken care of.
Check in with your insurance company or roofing manufacturer.
Not all storm damage is covered by insurance or warranty from the manufacturer, but you do have options. Contact your insurance company if you can get a partial or full reimbursement. It is important to not make any repairs until the adjuster can come out and properly inspect the damage.
Door-to-Door Sales.
In this industry, and many others, it is not uncommon for a company’s sales strategy to include door-to-door sales. However, people can impersonate local contracting companies or claim they are their own company very easily. Take note if they have business cards, are they wearing company issued clothing and/or driving a company vehicle with the logo on it. These things don’t necessarily prove they are a reputable company, so be sure to do your due diligence by checking reviews and verify their CCB license before hiring.
You don’t have to sign on the spot.
We stress how important it is to repair the damage as soon as possible. You don’t have to sign on the spot at the first bid you receive. If you need to wait a bit of time for a repair due to scheduling or other reasons, ask the company to temporarily tarp it so you can avoid further damage. In a sense of urgency, this is where the potential scam may happen. In an urgent situation where you may feel vulnerable, you could easily be persuaded to sign a contract. They will then try to collect money and then never return for the repair. Always remember that you have options.
What happens in the long run.
So you hired a contractor to do the repairs. Now what? What if the roof is not repaired properly and the leak continues or comes back? Was it really repaired at all? “Storm Chasers” tend to be from out of your area so it may be difficult or impossible to get a hold of them. In this case, you may have to hire another contractor to redo the work hoping the first repair did not do more harm to your roof.
Here at MCE Roofing we go into much more detail than just the cost of the roofing material to replace your roof. There are several things we consider before providing any estimate to our customers. We feel our detailed and thorough approach to our estimating process is what sets us apart from others. We take the time to meet with our customers and build a lasting relationship through outstanding customer service.
In conclusion, our in-house installers are factory trained and certified. Most have been with us for 10 years or more. MCE has been a GAF Certified Contractor since 2011 and has held the President’s Club Status since 2014. Master Elite Certification is GAF’s assurance that your roof will be completed professionally and with quality.
Above all, get a professional roofing contractor’s opinion. This will give you peace of mind knowing the roof is in good condition. Here at MCE, we offer free evaluations of your roofing and gutter systems. Give MCE a call at (503) 397-2215 or Fill Out Our Free Roofing Consultation Form to schedule a contact-free roof evaluation. We are family owned and operated serving Columbia County, the Portland Metro and surrounding areas with over 25 years of experience.