Roofing companies warn: Be wary of door­to­door “roofers”

[sherly atkins]

A Colorado Springs couple is lucky to still have all of their valuables after two men gained entrance into their home by claiming to be roofers. A man rang their doorbell one afternoon and told them that he noticed that they had a few loose shingles. The man informed the couple that he was a professional roofer and that he would fix the shingles free of charge. All he needed from them was some boiling water to heat the glue he would use. While in the kitchen boiling water, the homeowners noticed another man entering their home and going into their bedroom. The first man claimed he was his brother and that he was inspecting their home for signs of a leak. Fortunately for the couple, they didn’t buy his story and sent them away empty­handed. This is a fairly common ploy that scammers use to get into people’s homes and it serves as a reminder to homeowners to be wary of people going door-to­door claiming to be a roofer or some other kind of laborer.

Professional roofers don’t need to go door­to­door

So­called “roofers” like those in the story above damage the reputation of legitimate, professional roofers who have worked for years to establish credibility. They like to remind homeowners that professional roofers have earned a reputation and don’t need to go door­to­door to drum up business;business comes to them.

How can you be sure a roofer is the real deal?

A real roofer will need a license to do roofing work in your area. Roofers are also required to have insurance to protect people’s property and their own employees. They typically have a company vehicle and clothing with a company logo on it. Homeowners can ask to see their license and insurance. They should be wary of any unmarked vehicles, out­of­state plates, and roofers who can’t show a license or proof of insurance. Whether a person is trying to get into your home to rob you, or a person is trying to convince you to pay for roofing work you don’t really need, you can protect yourself by watching for the signs.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: gazette.com/voice­of­the­consumer­beware­of­strangers­offering­roofing­help/article/1562929