Questions Roofers Ask That You Should NEVER Answer!

When you're hiring a roofer, there are some questions they may ask that you should never answer. In this video, I'll give you the inside scoop on what some of these questions are and why they ask them, and how to protect yourself from some of their sales tactics.

Homestead Roofing, Inc is a licensed and fully-insured Colorado Springs roofing contractor and serves homeowners in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Falcon, Peyton, Manitou Springs, and other surrounding communities.

00:00 Introduction
00:21 In the neighborhood - Can I inspect your roof?
02:21 Can I get your Insurance paperwork?
07:19 Can I get you to Sign today?
08:36 Let me call my manager...
12:00 Do you want to file the claim now?
14:07 Will you sign this paper?
15:13 ZERO OBLIGATION

[carter]

As a roofing salesman, I NEVER tell someone I'm working in their neighborhood or working with their neighbors unless I actually am. I also try to get a company sign put up in all of my client's yards so when they see my card, they know exactly which neighbors I'm talking about.

[RJones-tnvg]

This is reassuring because a couple years ago we had tons of roofers knocking on the door and calling me after a hail storm. I told them all to leave me alone.

I think we do need a new one in the next few years, but the storm chasing behavior creeped me out.

[markbrock]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time. You helped me with my roof process. :)

[naikeelovince]

Thank you for another great video. The first thing the guy asked me was about insurance; thanks to you, I was ready.

[verryveggie]

Thank you so much for this information! I wish I had seen your video earlier.

[rzvuipb]

I always educate my H.Os about the process and have them call their insurance to make sure they have a policy with covers full replacement along with Builder codes before we move on to the elder step. I’ve seen H.O’s have to pay thousands not knowing what policy they hold or what it covers. Always be truthful to the Home owner.

[caroleindfw]

I love this guy! I have spent hours listening to his advice! Many many thanks for all of the info! Wish you were down in the Dallas area! Don't you need a working vacation down this way?

[benb]

Hey great videos you're saving made a pile of money much appreciated

[catzndogz]

Thank you! I'm in Littleton and my roof got pummeled with hail recently. My insurance adjuster was very generous with my claim. The first roofer I spoke with saw my insurance claim (ACV) before he gave me a quote and suggested it would be a stretch to complete everything on the list with no cash out of pocket from me. I was shocked and went ahead and got three more quotes without disclosing anything about my insurance claim beyond the number of squares. I asked them to just give me their best price for an impact resistant roof. One guy flat out refused to give me a quote without seeing my insurance claim. He even had his sales manager call me to explain why they needed to see the claim. "We can get you more money!" I refused. The guy I went with was happy to give me a quote with detailed information of the materials and the work. He also swears by Certainteed!
I've never been through this process before. Your videos have been very helpful!

[klmmr]

I used to be a "home remodeling" canvasser is San Diego CA back in 2000's. I had shore duty while on active duty in the Navy and got another job for the downtime as a canvassing manger for a company out there. Went door to door with a crew through neighborhoods to book appointments for the sales team. My teams only job was to get your information. I had some novice experience in manual labor aspect of roofing as a teenager but that's it. Lol my team had zero experience whatsoever, just enough to small talk you into getting your contact information for someone else to close you. Use that information as you wish.

If someone knocks on my door now I politely ask them to keep moving.

[teddhanseniv]

Getting the work done for less than what insurance pays (pocketing insurance money) is considered insurance fraud. Not paying your deductible in the state of Texas is considered illegal. Invoicing the insurance company for less than what the insurance company pays out (without committing insurance fraud) will only save the insurance company money. Don't shop price - your deductible should be the same no matter who you use. Shop reputation and your contractors track record.

[destravlr]

Second comment of my roofing education. When the first salesperson pulled that technique (will you sign now?), I immediately remembered a sales pitch by a Kirby vacuum cleaner salesman. I used the 3-day cancellation right to get out of the signing.

[RoofingFacts]

"What if your neighbors an idiot"

This, right there, I've never agreed more. I won't say an idiot in general but about the subject of roofing. No one knows much anything about roofing even half your roofers. And about 95% of Architects and engineers for that matter.

[allaboutroofing]

I had an office in the same building as Homestead and found them to be super nice people. I agree with most of this information, however the insurance isn't usually over paying and working off the insurance scope sheet isn't in any way scandalous if the contractor does everything outlined with the only expense to homeowners being the deductible and explaining the numbers and line items.

[SOUTHERN_LADY]

COMPLETELY AGREE!! We survived Hurricane Ian, got roofing company fairly local. Worst mistake ive ever made. These ppl STILL dont have the roof right!!!

[prodchrisdontmiss]

I have to say this…

You are describing only the bad contractors that give the roofing insurance restoration industry a bad wrap.

If a contractor knows what he is doing with the insurance estimate, everything is done ethically … and the insurance’s estimate should already include every line item that is justified for the roof replacement.

If a line item estimate does not include some items, but is required to be done for a full roof replacement, the contractor should inform the insurance adjuster and provide proof with photos and explanation why it must be added to the line item estimate (supplementing the claim). Every line item must be justified for the insurance to add it.

There are some policies where Code Upgrades are not owned to the homeowner, in that case, the reputable and good storm restoration contractor would notify the homeowner that the insurance did not pay code upgrades. Such as drip edge, ice/water shield, etc. Then the homeowner would have to be responsible for those payments. As well as the deductible.

For the 10k claim example, the good roofer would minus the RCV amount of each item or trade that their company will
not be performing, to arrive at the true cost of the roof. (if the contractor knows how to read a scope of work, he would know where to find the exact roof cost on the report and not even have to do any math) Also another reason why is it a great idea for homeowners to show their insurance paper work to their contractor of choice. Homeowners just need to make sure the contractor knows what they are doing when it comes to insurance claims.

I can go on and on about what the good insurance restoration roofing company would do. There are a lot of scum bag roofers that take advantage of homeowners in the insurance process.

But don’t just highlight those that give the insurance roofing restoration industry a bad wrap.

[WeFindSimpleSolutions]

Remember most people want you to do the entire job for the ins deposit only then wait on depreciation with them (which takes to long sometimes)
Now When the customer has an insurance approval but is going to go ahead and pay for the work out of his own pocket and reimburse himself with the insurance dollars as he gets them then yes give him a great estimate, otherwise it’s best to get the extra dollars the insurance make it since you’re gonna have to wait for the depreciation, create completion of contract documents and supplementals if needed

[sidneywhite]

Love your channel. I have a question. I want to replace my shingle roof that is 21 years old and the first roofing company that came out said I had old style gutters that used the long aluminum nails that were nailed through the drip edge and they had to be torn off. Sounds fishy to me.

[Rshrp]

Didn't really have any issues til I was told to trust my Insurance agent. Maybe it's just me. Go with a roofing company with a solid track record that's been around for a long time. If you need a second opinion talk to a separate contractor. That's my two since. Preciate the video.

[randolph]

As someone who used to be a door to door roofer, I have to agree with some things, but call you out on some very inaccurate statements..first off, most people don't know they have a problem, until it's pointed out by an expert. Many insurance policies have steep depreciation, often non-recoverable, so a home owner who continues to wait till there's a crisis, is shooting themselves in the foot. Roofs should be maintained and inspected every time there's a major hail storm or strong winds. So long as the roofer has strong references, and can provide detail invoices of everything done, you should be good, and proceed with the claim.