5 Signs that You’re Dealing with an Unprofessional Roofer
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against inclement weather like strong hail events and wind storms. Because of this vital function it serves, you must make sure that your roof is in great condition year-round.
When you realize your roof needs some attention—be it a full roof replacement or repairing some damage—you can’t afford to go with a sub-par roofing company. Not all roofing companies are built the same, and unfortunately, there are a lot of roofing scams out there.
If you’re in the market for roofing work to be done on your house, you need to know how some roofers rip you off so you can steer clear of the bad companies and only work with the best.
Here are five signs that you’re dealing with an unprofessional roofer.
1. They are unresponsive or slow to respond and don’t have a professional presence.
A characteristic trait of an unprofessional roofing contractor is being slow to respond—or not responding at all. Roofing projects can be complex, and as a result, homeowners can have a lot of questions about the work being done on their property. If your roofer is slow to get back to you when you reach out (or they don’t respond at all), they’re not demonstrating a very high level of professionalism.
If a roofer doesn’t have a website or any reviews or testimonials online, that’s a major red flag. Every contractor should have an online presence at this point, and be able to show customer reviews or provide references. A good roofing contractor will be delighted to show you their portfolio and prove their expertise to you. They should also be licensed and insured, so you are not liable for damages or incorrect work. Ask to see their licenses and insurance information.
2. They don’t treat your property with respect.
It should go without saying that a guest on your property is expected to act respectfully toward you and your home. An unprofessional roofer might do the opposite by tossing your patio furniture around, leaving trash all over the place, driving onto your grass, etc. You shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of behavior or disrespect from a roofer!
One of the main jobs of a roofing contractor is protecting your property anytime they’re on your roof. To protect your property they’ll cover your attic, windows, landscaping, move anything on your patio, and stay on only paved surfaces. They will also clean up after the job and use a magnet to sweep for any nails that are on the ground.
3. Their work appears sloppy or uneven and critical materials were left off.
Don’t settle for sloppy work. Roofs should have straight lines that look uniform throughout. If you notice that your roofing contractor’s work appears uneven or just looks bad (including things like mismatched shingles, missing shingles or crooked lines), they may not properly understand your roofing system. A professional roofer will take the time to inspect your current roof and create an effective strategy for completing any repairs that need to be addressed.
There are certain materials that need to be present with roofing. These include decking, flashing, underlayment, drip edges, ice and water shield, vents, ridge capping, boots and shingles or another roofing material. Cutting corners with materials are ways inexperienced contractors think they can save money. They may take advantage of your lack of knowledge.
Your roofing contractor should be a reliable, reputable contractor. You need to be 100% confident in your selection. Key items that show a lack of experience include an incorrect use of roofing nails and nail patterns, improper or missing started shingles, improper installation of underlayment, neglecting to look in your attic and review your ventilation, not planning for ice dams, ignoring product manufacturer’s guidelines and voiding your warranty, and not properly obtaining roof permits.
4. They reuse old materials.
This is a classic sign of an unprofessional roofer. When they are repairing or replacing your old roof, they shouldn’t reuse existing materials that may be inferior in quality, damaged, or just old. This applies to things like your flashing, drip edges, underlayment, etc. In some cases, a contractor might offer you a price break to use “leftover” or discounted materials. These “special deals” rarely lead to a durable roof. For example, new drip edge flashing is needed anytime you are shingling your roof. It prevents many problems like leaks, decking decay, and keeps insects out of the attic.
You must have confidence that your roofer has the right materials—and the right knowledge—to get your job done professionally and to your satisfaction.
5. Their business practices seem sketchy.
There are a number of roofing scams out there that you must be on the lookout for. Make sure your roofing contractor isn’t a storm chaser from out of state, they’re locally licensed and bonded, and they’re registered as a business in Colorado. Don’t fall for their pushy sales strategies or bold-face lies that they were sent by your insurance company without your prior knowledge. These are signs of a roofing scam!
A couple of other things to watch out for are roofers requiring full payment up front, no written contract is provided, high-pressure today-only sales tactics, mystery damage on your roof, and unexpectedly lower quotes.
Go With the Best Colorado Roofing Company
A professional roofer in Colorado is one who is knowledgeable, experienced, certified, and professional. Take time to find the best Colorado roofing company near you. You want a company that is going to be around and will stand behind the work they do.
J&K Roofing has completed over 50,000+ roofing and exterior projects throughout Colorado—specifically the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins areas—for almost 40 years. We’re certified and experienced in all roofing materials, and we will get your job done the right way.
Get in touch with us by calling 303-425-7531 or completing this online form. We can’t wait to hear from you and talk about your roofing needs!