Roofing Law

Maintaining Trust During Storm Season featured image

Maintaining Trust During Storm Season

Storm season is coming and with it a bevy of unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors preying on Florida homeowners. Consumers can be at their most vulnerable after a massive storm has caused roof damage to their homes. While many roofing professionals strive to do right by the community around them, fraudulent or unlicensed professionals build mistrust among consumers because of their actions.

Any project on a roof must be done by a licensed contractor. Reputable roofing companies must always be mindful of state laws and licensing requirements to ensure they remain in compliance with the law. In this brief article, a roofing lawyer in Florida will discuss how roofing fraud is conducted and why roofing contractors should consult with an experienced attorney to protect the reputation of their businesses.

Working with Neighboring Properties

Fraudulent roofing professionals are opportunists who will go door to door and offer quick aid. They may claim to be an insurance specialist or adjuster in the area, or to have just finished work on a neighbor’s property and have just enough material to fix your roof. An unsolicited roofer may damage the roof themselves or provide pictures of a completely different roof.

While it may make sense following a major storm to solicit neighboring properties for business, licensed contractors should always make sure that they are following proper procedures when it comes to working with consumers. If unexpected work does fall in your lap, consult a roofing lawyer that can make certain that you are in compliance with the law and can quickly draft a contract for your project before you begin performing tasks.

Offering Fraudulent Opportunities

Unlicensed contractors may offer an enticing, too-good-to-be-true deal that can constitute insurance fraud. For example, they could offer to reimburse a potential client’s insurance deductible or to pay for a new roof altogether.

A licensed contractor should never pressure a potential client into a proposition like this. Along with complying with insurance laws, it’s important to remember that the reputation of your business depends greatly on satisfied customers that appreciate your professionalism.

Giving Roofing Professionals a Bad Name

In the above instances of roofing fraud, the contractor will attempt to have consumers agree to work immediately and, often, request payment upfront. No respectable licensed contractor would operate like this. For any roofing job, there should be a payment process, completion schedules, and a contract that details the expectations for the project.

Roofing contractors in Florida must be licensed and always abide by state laws. If you are a roofing contractor that is involved in a dispute and requires license defense, please consult a roofing attorney in Florida.

If you would like to speak with a roofing attorney in Florida, please contact us today.

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.