While not large as Seattle, there are enough people living in Des Moines, Washington to warrant the need for reliable roofing services. Unfortunately, a lot of news stories speak of “roofing scams” happening in various parts of the country, proving that people are still easy prey to unscrupulous companies and crafty con artists. Thus, the Mountain Press listed down a few tips that would help anyone differentiate legitimate Des Moines roofing companies from scams.
- Know who you are dealing with. If you have not heard of a person or company that you intend to do business with, learn more about them. Depending on the amount of money that you plan on spending, you may want to visit the business location, check with the Better Business Bureau, or consult with your bank, an attorney, or the police.
- Make sure you fully understand any business agreement that you enter into. If the terms are complex, have them reviewed by a competent attorney.
- Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.
These tips from the FBI can really show what a scam artist does to trick people. Specifically regarding roofing companies, you should look for their certificates and licenses. For instance, there are companies like Tedricks Roofing, Inc. that are certified by GAF (one of the leading roofing brands in the country) with a Master Elite designation, thus offering guaranteed high-quality service for roofing in Des Moines, Seattle, Tacoma, or elsewhere in Washington state.
Customers shouldn’t just stop at certificates: they are also advised to meet with contractors personally. Ideally, this is done so that you can have a better idea about a company’s professionalism, since one’s attitude towards customers reflects one’s attitude towards work. If possible, you should also ask for at least three bids from various roofers so you can find out the general cost of your job order without getting overcharged by scammers.
The most basic thing, however, that you can do to avoid being tricked is to simply be vigilant about how a company talks to you. If they’re asking for money up front without work done yet, they’ll probably run away with your cash. If the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
(From Editorial: Don’t get scammed, The Mountain Press, September 9, 2013)