Did a tree fall on your roof during last week’s storm? Are you in search of a new contractor? If so, the office of Kansas’ attorney general wants to make sure you avoid fraudulent roofers and contractors looking to score a quick buck.
“After storm damage, our instinct is to clean up and make repairs as quickly as possible,” Don Borneman, director of the Kansas attorney general’s roofing registration unit, said in a statement.
“When considering roofing work on a home or business, it is important that consumers make sure their roofing contractor is properly registered before signing any contract or having any work done.”
Contractor scams have been on the rise, according to the Inspection Support Network, a company that offers home inspection software to businesses. During the pandemic, property owners lost nearly $82 million in home improvement scams. Since 2007, more than 6,000 scams have been reported to the Federal Trade Commission each year.
If you are getting work done to your roof, the Kansas attorney general’s roofing registration unit recommends getting a copy of your roofer’s registration certificate before moving forward. Residents can also double-check for a roofer’s registration with this online registry. Make sure that the roofer’s registration is still active.
The Kansas attorney general’s office also suggests that customers check for references, get multiple written estimates for the project and check with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City to see if there are any complaints records on file for a contractor before hiring.
The Federal Trade Commission also warns customers of contractors who use these tactics to avoid being scammed:
-
Offer materials left over from a previous job
-
Pressure clients for an immediate decision
-
Ask clients to pay for everything upfront
-
Ask clients to obtain their own building permits
-
Suggest borrowing money from a lender that they know personally
For more information on how to avoid a home repair scam, visit here.