How to Spot Roof Scams: Protecting Richmond Homeowners from Fraud

Storm hit last night. This morning someone knocked on your door offering to fix your roof today for cash.

Here's why that's a scam and what actually legitimate looks like.

Scam #1: The Storm Chaser

What happens:

Severe storm rolls through Richmond. Next morning, someone knocks on your door.

"I was driving through your neighborhood and noticed damage on your roof. I'm working on your neighbor's house (points vaguely) and have materials left over. Can start today if you sign now."

Sounds helpful. It's not.

Why it's a scam:

They're not from Richmond. Out-of-state license plates. No local address.

They showed up specifically to target storm-damaged areas. They'll be gone in a week.

"Materials left over" means they're using cheap, mismatched, or leftover junk.

"Start today" pressure tactic. Legitimate contractors are booked out days or weeks.

What actually happens:

They collect deposit ($1,000-3,000). Do shoddy work or no work at all. Disappear.

You can't find them. Number disconnected. No local address. No recourse.

Last spring after that April hailstorm, we got 15 calls from Richmond homeowners who paid "storm chasers" deposits. None of those contractors finished the work. Average loss: $2,400 per homeowner.

How to spot it:

Uninvited door-knocking after storms.

High-pressure "today only" deals.

Out-of-state license plates (Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida are common).

Can't provide local business address.

Wants cash deposit immediately.

Legitimate version:

After major storms, local contractors do door-to-door offering free inspections (not same-day repairs).

They provide business cards with local address, website, and Virginia contractor license number.

No pressure. No deposit requests at the door.

Scam #2: The "Free Roof" Insurance Fraud

What happens:

Contractor says: "I can get your insurance to pay for a complete roof replacement. You won't pay anything, not even your deductible. Free roof."

Sounds amazing. It's insurance fraud.

How the scam works:

They inflate damage on insurance claims. Claim hail damage that doesn't exist. Photograph damage from different roofs.

They offer to "pay your deductible" (illegal in Virginia and most states). This is rebating.

Insurance approves inflated claim. Contractor pockets the difference. Does minimal work or uses cheapest materials.

Why this destroys you:

Insurance fraud is a crime. You're potentially liable even if contractor initiated it.

Your insurance company investigates. Denies future claims. Cancels policy. Reports you.

Contractor uses substandard materials. Your "free" roof fails within years.

When you file legitimate future claim, you're flagged for fraud.

Red flags:

"Free roof" promises.

"We'll waive your deductible."

"We'll handle everything with insurance, you don't need to be involved."

"We'll add extras to your claim to cover your cost."

Legal reality:

Contractors can't legally waive or pay your deductible in Virginia. It's insurance fraud.

Contractors can help with insurance claims (documentation, estimates, meeting adjusters). They can't fabricate damage or inflate claims.

You're responsible for your deductible. Always.

Legitimate version:

"We'll provide detailed documentation for your insurance claim. Here's what we found. Your adjuster makes the final decision. You pay your deductible. We do the approved work."

Transparent. Legal. Ethical.

Scam #3: The Lowball Bid

What happens:

You get three estimates: $14,000, $15,500, $8,900.

That $8,900 bid looks tempting.

Why it's too good to be true:

They're excluding necessary work.

Using bottom-tier materials.

Planning to hit you with change orders once roof is torn off.

Won't last, won't warranty, won't return calls when problems happen.

How it plays out:

You hire cheap bidder. Work starts. Roof gets torn off.

"We found extensive decking damage. Need another $4,000."

"Your flashing is worse than expected. Need another $1,200."

"Ventilation needs upgrading to code. Another $900."

Suddenly your $8,900 bid is $15,000. But your roof is torn off. You're committed.

Or they finish at $8,900 using terrible materials and sloppy work. Leaks within months. They don't return calls.

Real Richmond example:

Midlothian homeowner got bids for $16,500 and $17,200 from local companies. Got $10,500 bid from out-of-state contractor.

Hired the $10,500 bid. Work started. Next day: "Found problems, need $6,000 more."

Homeowner refused. Contractor abandoned job. Roof torn off, no materials, mid-week.

Called us for emergency finish. Total cost to fix and complete: $21,000 (more than original higher bids because we had to redo work and absorb emergency scheduling).

How to spot it:

Bid is 30%+ lower than others without clear explanation.

Contract has vague language about "additional work as needed."

Materials aren't specified by brand and grade.

No detailed line-item breakdown.

Legitimate low bid:

Occasionally a contractor genuinely has lower overhead or slower season discount.

They explain specifically why they're cheaper: "We're slow in January, offering 10% discount." "We got bulk material discount, passing savings along."

Contract is detailed. Materials specified. No hidden exclusions.

Scam #4: The Upfront Payment Scam

What happens:

Contractor wants 50-100% payment before starting work.

"Materials are expensive. We need payment upfront to order them."

Why it's a scam:

Legitimate suppliers extend credit to established contractors. They don't need your $15,000 to order shingles.

Once they have your money, motivation to finish (or start) disappears.

They might do minimal work. Might do nothing. Either way, money's gone.

Red flags:

Requests 50%+ upfront.

Wants 100% before completion.

Cash only.

Pressure to pay immediately.

Can't or won't provide material supplier receipts.

What happens:

Richmond homeowner paid $12,000 upfront for roof replacement (80% of total). Contractor started work. Tore off old shingles. Never came back.

Homeowner had no recourse. Money gone. Half a roof. Hired us to finish. Paid twice.

Legitimate payment schedule:

10-20% deposit to secure schedule and order materials.

30-40% after tear-off and decking inspection.

Remaining 40-50% upon completion and your satisfaction.

Never more than 50% before project completion. Preferably much less.

If contractor pushes back:

"Our suppliers require payment upfront." Response: "Show me supplier invoices and I'll pay them directly."

"We've been burned before." Response: "That's your risk to manage, not mine. Standard payment terms or I hire someone else."

Scam #5: The Unnecessary Replacement

What happens:

You call for estimate on small leak. Contractor inspects. Declares: "Your whole roof needs replacement immediately. It's about to collapse. $18,000."

You panic. Sign contract.

Why it's often a scam:

Small leak usually means small repair ($300-800). Not $18,000 replacement.

Contractor makes way more on replacement than repair.

Scare tactics ("about to collapse," "dangerous," "emergency") pressure you.

How to verify:

Get second opinion. Always.

Ask to see the problems. "Show me the damage."

Ask specific questions: "What's actually failing? Can you photograph it?"

If roof is truly failing, multiple contractors will say so.

Real case:

Henrico homeowner called about leak in attic. Contractor said: "Whole roof is shot. Need immediate replacement. $22,000."

Homeowner got nervous. Called us for second opinion.

We found: Failed flashing around one plumbing vent. Repair cost: $340.

Roof was 16 years old, had life left. No replacement needed for another 5-8 years.

Legitimate assessment:

"You have a leak from failed flashing. I can repair it for $400. However, your roof is 23 years old. You'll likely need replacement within 2-3 years. Let me give you a replacement estimate so you can plan ahead."

Honest. Not pushy. Gives you options.

Scam #6: The Permit Dodge

What happens:

Contractor says: "Permits are optional. We can skip it and save you $300."

Why this hurts you:

Permits aren't optional. Henrico and Chesterfield require them for roof replacement.

Unpermitted work:

• Violates code
• Voids insurance coverage
• Creates problems when you sell
• No inspection means no oversight of quality

If something goes wrong:

Insurance claim for leak? Denied because work was unpermitted.

Try to sell house? Inspector finds unpermitted roof. Deal falls apart or you pay for retroactive permits and inspections (expensive).

Contractor did shoddy work? No code enforcement recourse because work was illegal.

Red flags:

"You don't need a permit."

"Permits are a waste of money."

"We can skip it."

Resistance when you ask about permits.

Legitimate approach:

"Permit is required. Cost is $X (itemized in bid). We handle all permitting and inspections. It's included."

Verify permits were pulled:

Henrico: Online permit search at henrico.us Chesterfield: Online permit search at chesterfield.gov

Search your address. Permit should show up. If contractor said they pulled it but nothing shows, call them out.

Common Scam Warning Signs (Red Flag Checklist)

Any of these should make you pause:

Business red flags:

• No physical Richmond address
• No website or brand-new website
• Can't provide Virginia contractor license
• Can't provide insurance certificates
• Unmarked vehicles
• Out-of-state plates right after storms

Sales tactics:

• Uninvited door knocking
• High-pressure "today only" pricing
• Scare tactics ("roof will collapse")
• "Free roof" promises
• "We'll waive your deductible"

Payment issues:

• Wants 50%+ upfront
• Cash only
• Won't provide written contract
• Contract has blank spaces
• Can't provide supplier invoices

Work approach:

• "We don't need permits"
• "Can start immediately" (hours after estimate)
• Won't provide local references
• Can't explain warranty details
• Vague about materials ("good shingles" instead of specific brand/grade)

Trust your instincts:

Something feels off? It probably is.

Contractor makes you uncomfortable? Find someone else.

Deal seems too good? It is.

What to Do If You're Scammed

Immediate steps:

Stop payment if possible. Call credit card company, bank. File dispute.

Document everything. Save contracts, texts, emails, photos.

Report it:

Virginia Attorney General's Office: Consumer protection complaints Virginia DPOR: Contractor license complaints Better Business Bureau: Business complaints Local police: Fraud report (though they rarely recover money)

Next steps:

Leave honest reviews. Warn other homeowners.

Hire legitimate contractor to assess damage and complete work.

Consider small claims court (up to $5,000 in Virginia) if you have local defendant.

Prevention for next time:

Vet contractors thoroughly before hiring.

Never pay large amounts upfront.

Get everything in writing.

Check references and licenses.

Trust but verify.

How to Find Legitimate Richmond Contractors

Good sources:

Google reviews (look for quantity and recency — 30+ reviews, mostly recent)

Nextdoor recommendations (neighbors' experiences)

Local lumber yards (ask who reputable contractors use for supplies)

Virginia DPOR website (verify active license, no disciplinary actions)

Interview process:

Get 3-4 estimates from local contractors.

Ask the 10 critical questions (see our contractor questions article).

Check references. Drive by projects. Call homeowners.

Verify license and insurance.

Compare bids in detail (not just price).

Trust indicators:

Physical Richmond office you can visit.

Website with real project photos (not stock images).

Years of Google reviews (not just recent ones).

Specific answers to questions.

No pressure tactics.

Clear, detailed written estimates.

What Legitimate Contractors Actually Do

We've been in Richmond for years. Here's how we operate:

After storms:

We offer free inspections. We don't knock on doors.

We document damage honestly. If you don't need replacement, we tell you.

We work with insurance companies. We don't promise "free roofs" or deductible waivers.

Estimates:

Detailed written bids. Materials specified by brand and grade.

Payment schedule: 15% deposit, rest on milestones and completion.

Contract includes everything. No surprise charges.

Licensing and insurance:

Virginia Class A contractor license (we provide number).

$2M general liability and workers comp (certificates provided).

All permits pulled and managed by us.

Work quality:

No cash-only. No pressure tactics. No too-good-to-be-true pricing.

Fair bids based on actual work needed.

References available. Projects you can visit.

10-year workmanship warranty.

Bottom Line

Roofing scams are common because roofing is expensive, urgent, and most homeowners don't understand it.

Scammers exploit fear (storm damage), ignorance (what should it cost?), and urgency (need it fixed now).

Protection is simple: Slow down. Research. Verify. Compare. Question.

No legitimate contractor pressures you to sign immediately.

No quality work comes from unlicensed, uninsured strangers.

No "free roofs" exist outside of insurance fraud schemes.

Take your time. Ask questions. Check licenses and references.

The contractor who seems too good to be true? They are.

Need a second opinion after someone quoted you? Call (804) 238-7837. We'll give you an honest assessment — even if that means telling you the other contractor's bid was fair.