5 Red Flags When Hiring Topeka Roofing Contractors for Your Repair Job
When you experience problems with your roof, it’s important to fix the issue as soon as possible before it gets worse. However, this can be difficult because there are many to choose from in Topeka and deciding who to hire for your repair job can be hard without some help. Here are five red flags when hiring Topeka roofing contractors for your repair job.
No Good References
Check their references. Call the past clients and ask about their experience with the company. Ask if they were satisfied with the work done, if there was a warranty on the job, how long it took to complete and if there were any problems. If you find that past clients have had a bad experience, then maybe it’s best to move on to another roofing contractor.
Pressure to Sign a Contract
It is important to make sure that you are not pressured into signing a contract before you have had time to review it. If the contractor is pressuring you into signing a contract or demanding payment in full, it could be a sign that they are not trustworthy or reliable. This can be a red flag that they will take advantage of your situation and charge you much more than what they originally quoted. Make sure you read through the contract thoroughly before signing anything. Some Topeka roofing contractors offer guarantees on their work, which is always a good sign as this means they stand behind their work. All companies should offer some sort of guarantees but there are some who will not, which means they might try to push all responsibility onto you if something goes wrong down the line.
Cash Only
If a contractor only takes cash or requires payment upfront, then that’s a big red flag. Most reputable contractors accept credit cards as well as other forms of payments, including checks and installment plans. It’s not unheard of for people to find themselves in a situation where they don’t have the money to pay their contractor in full up front. Some contractors may even be willing to work out an arrangement with you if you’re strapped for cash during your repair job.
Exaggerated Damage Claims
Unethical roofers will try to convince you that your roof is in dire need of repair or replacement. However, if you are a smart homeowner, you will be able to tell when the contractor is trying to make up damage. The first red flag is if the contractor claims that your roof needs a lot of repairs when it doesn’t. This tactic can create a sense of urgency and even belief that a replacement is the only option.
Unrealistic Bid
The national average to replace a roof costs $8,954. Of course this will vary from house to house. After receiving multiple bids, if one contractor stands out as much higher or lower than the competition, that’s something to be concerned about. If they offer an absurdly low bid on your repair job, they may not use quality materials and do shoddy work. If they offer an absurdly high bid on your repair job, there is likely another problem with their business practices that you should be aware of before signing a contract with them.