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Roofing Scams and How to Spot Them

By: Tracy Whitelaw - Updated: 11 Mar 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Roofing Scams Roofing Scammers Scam

As with most scam artists, roofing scammers will do all they can to get what they want without doing much work. The trick for any homeowner is to learn how to spot roofing scammers and avoid them before they have conned you. Roofing scammers tend to target the elderly, single women at home and homes that they believe can afford to hand over cash to have a 'problem' fixed on their roof. They will come prepared with a multitude of stories to tell you about how they are your dream come true, but don't be fooled - they're more than likely just out for themselves.

The Problem-Reaction-Solution Scam

One of the most common scams that roofers will use is the 'problem-reaction-solution' scam. They will often appear at your door unannounced and tell you that they were driving past and noticed that you had a problem with your roof. If you live in an area that is prone to seasonal weather, they'll be more likely to appear during the wet season as they know this is when most people are concerned about leaks in their roof. The scammer will offer you a free appraisal of your roof and will disappear to inspect it themselves. After a closer look at your roof, they'll tell you that there are some serious issues and will await your reaction to the problem. If you don't seem to be overly concerned, they'll extend the truth further and make the situation seem as dire as possible. When they finally get a reaction, they'll have an immediate solution to help you out.

The Great Discount Scam

When the scam roofer has your attention and sees that you're concerned with the condition of your roof, they'll offer you a one-off special deal to 'help you out'. The roofer will often state that they can do you a cheap deal if you sign there and then and if you pay cash. The cash of course is their way of avoiding tax and the money is likely to go straight into their own pockets. Some may even offer you a discount for cash there and then and needless to say when you hand over the money, they're likely to disappear without any work being carried out. Even in some better case scenarios, the work may get finished, but be of a poor standard and the materials may not be of a good quality.

Avoiding the Scam Roofers

It's very easy to avoid rogue roofers who are out to make money without carrying out any work. Firstly, don't let any roofer carry out a 'free inspection' on the spot without knowing they're reputable and their credentials have been checked out. Always ask to see a roofers company details and get their office details and landline number.

You should also ask if they have any details of previous customers so you can contact them to enquire about the standard of their work.

You should never do a deal with a roofer who can't provide you with a full contract that has clauses in it that allow you to withhold payment until the work has been checked and is considered satisfactory to your own standards.

Never believe a roofer who states he has left-over material from another job. More often than not this is just a scam to make you think you're getting a good deal and in some cases it may even be stolen. If you're dealing with a reputable roofer, he will expect you to ask security questions and to look for assurance from past work they've conducted. If you truly think you have some kind of an issue with your roof, be proactive and contact reliable roofers that you know are vetted by a trade association.

NB - If you are leaving a comment, please do not mention names of companies where it could be viewed legally as defamatory. These comments will be removed.

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Avery Donald - 11-Mar-24 @ 2:30 AM
Always check account on Companies House, if they have been open 1 year and have mail boxes as an address & phone number you know they are fake as fcuk.Fake names, ages.Check their VAT number, ask for their VAT number.Reviews are 99% fake on Google, check the them easy done. Bark the same, do not use, use National Federation of Builders as they have money to get back.Check financials online (name & accounts) if they only have a pound in bank dont use.A poor lady asked for a gutter report and the pikies stripped her roof, she then paid them £28,000 pound and they went off & never came back.Scaffolders came back for scaffold as they were never paid either.
penny - 5-Mar-24 @ 3:31 PM
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AveryDonald - 17-Feb-24 @ 9:45 AM
If anyone is looking for a roof or odd job ie garden plastering from a Jkroofing please don't his name is John kerien smout he says he's a sole trader but has a worker he is a scammer he scammed me and my disabled sons out of over£21,000 he makes excuses saying his van broke down or he's been pulled or his insurance has ran out or saying his child is in hospital which were not as I checked the the child's mam and she gladly told me this man tells alot of lies he will also say he will give recietes and never does and then when u threaten to take him to court he asks for an out of court settlement and then still doesn't pay it back please don't fall the what I have with this man he's only 25yrs old but will make any excuse to get your work done by him then scan you
Lisas9boys - 8-Jan-24 @ 8:39 PM
Has anyone had work done by gsroofing Norwich, a man named George Smith believed to live in Diss! I did and paid but not given a guarantee and turned out to be a scam. The leak was told to be cured but not so and still leaking h
Turtle - 13-Dec-23 @ 12:55 PM
Has anyone ever had roofing work done by discount roofing and services? Don’t know where they are based. Have been searching online for details of their company with no success
Trish63 - 26-Oct-23 @ 7:14 AM
Has anyone had any work done by Top Class Roof Steam Cleaning & Sealing 9 Common Lane, Watnall, Nottingham, NG16 1HD
Mitch - 15-Feb-23 @ 7:50 PM
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Eliz24 - 4-May-21 @ 2:33 PM
Hi, I’m trying to find a decent company to repoint sort flashing and install vents to two chimney‘s at Stockport. Had a couple of companies come out and neither went up on the roof nor use an extended camera pole to take pictures but gave me a ‘quote’ and said they know what the job entails without taking pictures. Surely you need pictures in order to give a quote? Can anyone advise thanks. Regards, Mel
Mel - 24-Jan-21 @ 1:17 PM
We recently used Elite Roofing Co based in Manchester, would highly recommend them. Honest bunch of lads did a great job loads of good reviews. We researched before we started and we went to see some work they did locally. I would say this is the best way, as we spoke to the owners and they were happy which in turn made us a lot more relaxed.
Jules - 24-Nov-20 @ 10:31 AM
Hi Juj, this sounds just like something that happened to my parents this week - same tactics, same nationality involved. Which county are you in? Wondering if it’s the same.
Wils - 4-Nov-20 @ 3:01 PM
Please avoid at all costs Ridgerite Roofing operating in West Midlands/Staffs area, whoa re nothing but a bunch of cowboys who use aggressive tactics to con you out of money for very sub-standard roofing jobs.
DaveyBoy - 21-Oct-20 @ 6:41 PM
Luton’s full of scammers only company that’s genuine is Roof Savers as don’t take payment until 28 days after jobs been completed first guy that came to my house said I need new flat roof on extension roof savers came pointed out that flashing was causing leak repaired there and then. Then Never came back for payment I had to contact after 2 months to make payment great guys can’t recommend enough
Krishna - 3-Oct-20 @ 3:24 AM
Have flat roof on rear extension Around 15 yrs old every winter for first 10 yrs have had leaks have had Luton’s so-called best roofing company’s out been over charged couple of weeks later leak returns called Roof Savers 5 winters ago told them about previous problemsfixed leak no problem since but what I can’t believe is they never charged me great guys can’t recommend enough
Krishna - 3-Oct-20 @ 3:16 AM
Do not even think of investing your hard earned money with CRYPONXT & CRYPTEC. They have no empathy whilst perpetuating their evil acts and they will do all in their wherewithal to milk you asking for payment after payment to process your withdrawal requests and each time you make payment they come up with another reason to ask for more payment. Timothy Miller is a fraud and a dubious soul. I have a cumulative sum of one hundred and six thousand Euro equivalent to eight million Croatian kuna lost to these dingbats. I later found out from the international recovery firm that helped repatriate my lost capital and a significant portion of my ROI(contact recoverywealthnow360 at g mail d o t c o m ) that I was only shown simulated trades. Timothy Miller played me smooth and I feel really retarded for falling prey to these dubious elements. The FBI should be on them by now as I know for a fact that they have swindled hundreds of naive victims. Your end is near. Do well and refund all the monies you stolen from people who haven’t been able to repatriate their funds from you dishonest souls . Stay circumspect and do not suffer in silence.
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joey78w - 8-Sep-20 @ 2:47 PM
Scammers are currently doing the rounds in Sidcup. Using the trick of saying they have done work over the road and offering to check a slipped tile “for a tenner”. Goes by the name “Dave” but could obviously use different names. Just say “no thanks” and only ever use a reputable local roofing company.
Sidcup - 15-Aug-20 @ 4:37 PM
Get more than one quote - if poss from word of mouth. Had a roofer wanting 800 in total for couple of ridge done but phoned around suggested max 250 - as straight forward job. Some roofers do no justice for their livelihood.
Stevie - 15-Aug-20 @ 3:46 PM
Do not use South West Facia from Weeton Super Mare run by James who is Iris that bodge the job use poor materials and charge you double what they quote
Ali - 4-Aug-20 @ 4:26 PM
Two Irishmen cold called me last week having noticed that my the pointing on my ridge tiles was starting to come away. I knew it it required attention at some point and foolishly let them do the job (was not on my best form as I have been a family bereavement). The verbal price quoted was £500. This escalated to £1,750.00 when they started!!! After some argument, I managed to reduce it to £1,500.00 - not a lot!! I paid cash as requested - fortunately I had some and borrowed the balance. Nothing I can do now, but sound a warning. I have their business card and took photos of their van number plate.
Juj - 29-Jul-20 @ 7:43 AM
Two Irishmen cold called last week having noticed the cement on my ridge tiles. I knew it was not good and meant to have it done. Foolishly (not at my best as I am dealing with a recent family bereavement), I decided to let them do it - initial price £ 450.00. They started and the price escalated to £1,750.00!!. After some argument got it down to £1,500.00! Paid them cash (fortunately I was able to get this and paid. I have their business card and took photos of their Peugeot van with registration numbers on. Appreciate I won't get the money back, but would ask everyone to be aware.
Juj - 29-Jul-20 @ 7:28 AM
Two Irishmen cold called last week having noticed the cement on my ridge tiles. I knew it was not good and meant to have it done. Foolishly (not at my best as I am dealing with a recent family bereavement), I decided to let them do it - initial price £ 450.00. They started and the price escalated to £1,750.00!!. After some argument got it down to £1,500.00! Paid them cash (fortunately I was able to get this and paid. I have their business card and took photos of their Peugeot van with registration numbers on. Appreciate I won't get the money back, but would ask everyone to be aware.
Juj - 29-Jul-20 @ 7:27 AM
If someone knocks on your door saying they are doing next door etc. make sure you talk to your neighbour.I had an irish gentleman knock today from London Building and Roofing (there are 3 slites online almost identical with variations of this name).It started with a quote of £120 to completely clean and reset my guttering...OK reasonable.Then it escalated to needing the whole guttering and boards replaced... I said you can give me a written quote and I'll get 2 other quotes and check you out on the Internet.Never seen the guy again.Never agree to anything that anyone recommends if they knock on your door.
AYJAY - 15-Jul-20 @ 12:30 PM
Please do not use Northern Roofing Group,run by Ashley Hamilton (also known as Richard Ashley Hamilton) - he talks the talk but does not deliver on good workmanship.Nothing but problems trying to fix the problems of a botched job at substantial cost.He claims to have ceased trading now - but beware he will set up again and ruin your property, with bad workmanship.Use a Safe Trader site to avoid a living nightmare.
TAKE NOTE TO AVOID A - 27-Jun-20 @ 11:18 AM
Beware - please go on line and look up scams.We were quoted a reasonable price of £1,200 which we agreed to, this escalated in to a figure of £12,000 ("worse case sinario".)Then dropped to £8,500 (not as bad as previously thought), they wanted £4,000 up front which I STUPIDLY paid (I will beat myself up for this for the rest of my days.)Then more good news, I only had to pay a further £1,400 on top of the £4,000. After a really heated conversation, this was dropped. There is no way we have had £4,000 worth of work done on our roof.We have comprehensive notes.(I am happy to provide/share) We also have another tradesman/roofer who is prepared to submit a report with contradictory evidence, proving false initial info and guidance.(Rotten wood in the top of your roof? Drone footage?Is the 'guage' incorrect? Therefore the whole roof needs attention.) I know people in the trade who are really 'concerned' with the work that was carried out.We only needed a few tiles sorted out. BEYOND ANGRY!
Angry - 26-May-20 @ 2:37 AM
Beware - please go on line and look up scams.We were quoted a reasonable price of £1,200 which we agreed to, this escalated in to a figure of £12,000 ("worse case sinario".)Then dropped to £8,500 (not as bad as previously thought), they wanted £4,000 up front which I STUPIDLY paid (I will beat myself up for this for the rest of my days.)Then more good news, I only had to pay a further £1,400 on top of the £4,000. After a really heated conversation, this was dropped. There is no way we have had £4,000 worth of work done on our roof.We have comprehensive notes.(I am happy to provide/share) We also have another tradesman/roofer who is prepared to submit a report with contradictory evidence, proving false initial info and guidance.(Rotten wood in the top of your roof? Drone footage?Is the 'guage' incorrect? Therefore the whole roof needs attention.) I know people in the trade who are really 'concerned' with the work that was carried out.We only needed a few tiles sorted out. BEYOND ANGRY!
Angry - 26-May-20 @ 2:35 AM
Call a roofer today said 400 all in. I agreed as it was a good price. He then text me 1 hour later asking for payment via bank transfer! His website says pay after work, point this out to him and he said upfront payment, I said NO! DO NOT pay upfront as you don't know who they are. SCAM
Jb - 18-Feb-20 @ 12:23 AM
Feel so Stupid !! Got caught in the traditional way by two guys knocking on my door saying they could see a couple of tiles missing form my roof and they could easily fix it. Then went up to the roof and said it was in a terrible state.Actually it wasn't but I fell for it. Many thousands of pounds later and a complete new roof' the saidjob done'..I borrowed money to cover the cost of the work. Within 3 months they had to come back to fix it. A couple of years later the rain is coming in hard from the roof and they have come back6 times and still not fixed it!!I am not sure what to do...sue them? Get another roofer to take it on and make the original ones pay for it ? get them to fix it yet again? All on a brand newroof !!!
Susan Castillejo - 16-Feb-20 @ 9:07 AM
got also calledroofer checked on checker trade he cancelled night befor said-he could doit ina month-orturned up 7amclaimeded hed lost phone no meant to be a two day job wel worked in-total 5to6hoursemailed the bill on day two only thier half hour comeback lunch to clear uphetook rubbishbut still clearing up he alsomanageded to smash two plant potsthen proceeded to-phone my husband all day every hour orso nxt day day after this he turned up front door demanding his money cause he got to pay his-boy stillbilled for the full amount he bosteded itwas much easier and didnt have todo-so much workhe will be asking check a-trade to alter his rating
gullable - 24-Nov-19 @ 3:23 AM
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