Months After Irma, Contractors Stay Busy With Roof Repairs

Roof repairs
When it comes to roof repairs, don’t let unscrupulous operators take advantage of you.

Contractors continue to work through the roof repairs left by Hurricane Irma, an issue that leaves open to potential for unscrupulous operators to take advantage of the situation.

“It certainly impacted our industry,” Mike Silver, director of technical services for the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, told Florida Today. “We’re still a supply-and-demand industry and there has been a lot of demand for roofers and supplies.”

Silver said Florida’s robust construction market had created high demand for roofers even before the hurricane.

As at any time a natural disaster strikes, some unscrupulous operators are taking advantage of homeowners in need of help with roof repairs.

But there are some things homeowners can do to protect themselves.

Ask for references

A reputable contractor should have folks who will vouch for them.

For instance, at David Bange Roofing, we take pride in the many referrals and letters of appreciation we receive from satisfied customers. That’s the kind of attitude you should be looking for when it comes to your needs.

Check credentials

One way to avoid fly-by-night operators out to take advantage of your misfortune is to be sure your working with a company that has the proper credentials.

According to Florida Today, “Always ask if they’re licensed to do work in Florida and if they’re covered by worker’s comp insurance. Demand to see their documentation and then call and verify the documents’ legitimacy before letting anyone start work on your roof.”

Keep in touch with your insurer

Your roofer may be willing to take care of some of the paperwork to get you insurance claim taken care of.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep in touch with your insurance company. “Call your insurer to verify they’ve talked to the roofer. And don’t pay the roofer any upfront money with the promise by the latter that an insurance check will be soon arriving in the mail to cover that down payment,” Florida Today writes.