What Is a Common Scam Seattle Area Roofers Use?

Are you worried that a roofing company might be trying to pressure you into signing a contract and then keep asking for more money once the work begins? Have you ever wondered whether a roofer offering a "special discount" or claiming to have found major damage is genuinely trying to help or setting you up for a scam?

Most roofing contractors are honest professionals, but unfortunately, scams do happen. Some companies use high-pressure sales tactics, vague contracts, invented damage claims, or repeated price increases to take advantage of homeowners, especially those who feel rushed, overwhelmed, or unsure about roofing.

At RoofSmart, it is our goal to ensure that our proposals are written clearly and carefully explained to each customer so that they know exactly what to expect. Sometimes it can be hard to tell right away if a roofing company is trying to scam you, so I wrote this case study to help Seattle homeowners spot scams right away.

In this case study, we'll explain one of the most common roofing scams homeowners encounter in the Seattle area, show you the red flags that should immediately raise concern, and share practical steps you can take to protect yourself before signing a contract or handing over any money.

Legitimate Roofing Contractor vs Roofing Scam Warning Signs: How to Spot the Difference Before It's Too Late

How do I know if my roofer is trying to scam me?

Your roofer is trying to scam you if they are using high-pressure tactics to get you to sign a contract right away or if they keep increasing the cost of your roofing project (for no reason) after the contract has been signed.

Some roofers give off red flags that they might scam you as soon as you meet them, while others don’t really show it until after you’ve signed the contract:

• Before being hired: They might get you to agree to hire them by offering you a random discount or by pressuring you to sign a contract or hire them right then and there. If you feel pressured in any way to sign a contract by the roofing company, then do not sign it! A trustworthy roofer will make their offer and give you time to decide on your own.
• After being hired: Whether or not you have a written contract, a roofer who is trying to scam you will continue to try to increase the price of your roof. If you don’t have a written contract, it’s really easy for them to ask for more money. But even if you do, they can claim that something came up and say that you owe them more money.* This is a fairly common scam that we have heard about from our customers.
• Example: We recently helped a customer who was hired after being scammed. The roofers knocked on her door and claimed that they were working on her neighbor’s roof and offered her a discount since they were already in the area. They began working after she paid them an initial $9,000. Then, they claimed that they needed an additional $9,000 to keep working. After this happened a few times, the homeowner became hesitant to pay them more. The roofer responded by intimidating her and threatening to leave with her roof only halfway done. The homeowner was a very sweet older woman who thought she was getting a good deal on a new roof. Instead, she was scammed and treated very poorly. They actually ended up draining all of the money from her bank account. This is an extreme example of roofing scam behavior, but it is a risk. They do typically target vulnerable populations (like the elderly).

*To clarify, there is a legitimate process in place for roofers to update your contract with change orders if they uncover damage on your roof or run into an unexpected problem that needs to be fixed. If this happens, your roofer should take pictures or video of the damage to show you proof that it’s real, ask your permission to fix the damage and approve the additional cost, and then they will add it to your final invoice as a change order. If they ask for more money without justifying it and showing you proof, that’s a red flag. Also, they should warn you ahead of time that they might find hidden damage (like rotting plywood).

What do I do if I think my roofer is trying to scam me?

If you haven’t signed a contract yet but you suspect that the roofer is trying to scam you, it’s time to part ways with them. If you suspect that your roofer is trying to scam you by continuing to ask for more money than you agreed upon in the contract, don’t be afraid to hold your ground.

Make sure that they’re following the right steps:

• Did they show you proof that justifies the additional cost?
• Did they just give you a lump sum total or actually break down what goes into the cost?
• Is the change order an official written document?

If they’re unfairly asking for more money, you can file a complaint against them. You should also look up your protections under Washington's Consumer Protection Act.

The signed contract means that the absolute most that you owe that roofer is the amount they wrote in the contract. If the job is only partially done, then you owe them for the work they’ve done so far.

For more information on protecting yourself from this type of scam, read our article “What Do I Do If My Roofer Increases the Price After Signing?”

How can I avoid hiring a roofer who is trying to scam me?

In order to make sure that you’re avoiding scams, make sure you take time to research any company you’re considering hiring, read their proposal and contract carefully, and make sure you get all your questions answered first.

Most of the time, the stories we’ve heard from customers about roofing company scams have come from companies that go door-to-door and seek you out first.

This doesn’t mean that every company that goes door-to-door is a scammer, but the key point to remember is that a salesperson who tries to pressure you into signing a contract immediately while they’re still there is a huge red flag.

You are well within your rights to do your research and send them away so that you have time to decide.

Check out these videos to learn how to do background research on a roofing company and what questions you should ask to see if they actually care about your roofing project:

For example, we did some background research on the roofing company that scammed our customer and found that they have very few reviews. Their Better Business Bureau account was very telling. They had two complaints after only being around for 1 year.

After reading through the complaints and other reviews across various sites, we discovered that a few other people had left reviews about their experience with the company, which complained of a similar situation (aka scam) that our customer went through, and a potentially hostile work environment for the employees.

Our customer was able to get away from the roofing company that was scamming her after a bank teller intervened and told her that what they were doing to her wasn’t right. She then hired us, and we were able to actually repair her roof.

We are not sure if she has decided to pursue legal action against the roofing company or where things stand with her financial situation. But we wish her the best and strongly admire her resilience and continued optimism despite the situation she’s in.

Top Roofing Scam Red Flags Homeowners Should Never Ignore

How can you tell if a roofing contractor is qualified and trustworthy?

As you've seen, roofing scams often follow a predictable pattern: high-pressure sales tactics, vague contracts, unexplained price increases, and a refusal to provide proof when additional costs arise. The key is learning how to evaluate a roofing contractor before you hire them.

A trustworthy roofer will be transparent about pricing, willing to answer your questions, able to provide references, and have a proven track record of quality work. They won't pressure you into making a decision, and they'll have the licenses, insurance, and reputation to back up their claims.

Read our article “How Do I Know If a Roofing Contractor Is Qualified?” to learn the specific qualifications, credentials, and warning signs to look for when evaluating roofing contractors so you can confidently hire a company that will protect your home, not take advantage of you.