What Do I Do If My Roofer Increases the Price After Signing?

Did your roofer promise you a great price only to ask for more money after you signed the contract, leaving you wondering if you’re being taken advantage of? Are you feeling stuck between paying more than you agreed to or risking conflict, delays, or even legal trouble if you push back?

Unfortunately, this situation is more common than most homeowners realize. Some roofing companies use low prices to get you to sign quickly, then try to increase the cost later through pressure, vague contracts, or questionable justifications. Some cost increases are legitimate, but hefty additional charges for no reason are likely a scam.

At RoofSmart, we understand that roofs are a big investment. That’s why we spend the time to walk our customers through their proposal so that they understand what they’re paying for before they sign.

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to tell if a price increase is valid, what your rights are as a homeowner in Washington, and the steps you can take to protect yourself (and your wallet) if your roofer tries to change the deal after the fact.

How to Tell If a Roof Price Increase Is Valid or Deceptive

What steps do I take if my roofer is trying to charge me more money after promising a low price?

If your roofing company used high-pressure sales tactics and persuaded you to sign the contract with the promise that you’re getting the lowest price, but then switched things up and is now trying to charge you more.

This can qualify as a deceptive or unfair act under Washington's Consumer Protection Act (CPA, RCW 19.86).

You want to cancel the contract, but you don’t know how. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Review your contract and other documents: Look at the official contract as well as any proposals or estimates that they sent to you. You should also reference any email or written communication that you have. What you’re looking for is written documentation of the price that they offered you, and, if possible, any written evidence that they emphasized that this is a limited-time offer where the price would go up after a certain amount of time.

• Signed contracts: If you signed a contract that has a certain price on it, then they legally have to stick to that amount.
• Change orders: Check for change orders or any other clauses that allow price increases. Most contracts acknowledge that there might be additional work that needs to be done, but this does not give them permission to change them. Some contractors do ask you to give them permission to replace rotten roof decking so that there aren’t any delays in the project. This is not as common, but it can happen.
• Look for the cancellation policy: Federal law mandates that contracts like this that are signed at home have a 3-day cancellation period, even if you’ve already signed it. If you’re within that window, you can cancel the contract. If your roofer did not include this clause in your contract, then it is technically illegal, and you have grounds to cancel.

2. Immediately send WRITTEN notice of cancellation: Send a letter via certified mail and an email stating that you are cancelling your contract due to fraud (or misrepresentation) because you were led to believe that you had to sign the contract to lock in a certain price. Demand that they cancel the contract immediately, halt any work, and send back any money that you’ve paid them. Make sure that they confirm the cancellation on their end in writing, and don’t forget to explain that this is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

3. File Complaints: You can file a complaint against the business through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries or the Washington Attorney General’s office. Both of these options can help mediate and are quick, free options. Bringing in a third party makes it easier to hold the roofer accountable and have them come to some sort of agreement with you. If the company has a history of doing this (you can see past complaints on the L&I website), then mention this when you file. It will strengthen your case.

4. If they still push back, try these options:

• Withhold pay: If your contractor still refuses to negotiate with you, you can withhold pay for the remaining work. If they’ve already started working, then you’ll probably have to pay for what they’ve done so far, but don’t give them any more than that. You definitely do not owe them beyond what you agreed to pay in the contract. If they threaten to place a lien on your home for not paying, document it. Invalid liens are illegal and can be disputed. If they haven’t started any work yet, this weakens their claim to keep the funds.
• Go to court: You can take them to small claims court, but the max you’ll get in WA is $10,000. So, if your dispute is larger, then you’ll have to go through civil court. In small claims court, you don’t need a lawyer, so fees will be lower.

What are the red flags I should look for when assessing roofing companies?

To avoid getting into this situation ever again, it’s important to look for red flags that your roofing company might be shady or unreliable.

Here are some examples of roofing contractor red flags:

• They seek you out first (companies that go door-to-door)
• They insist you need roof work without showing proof
• They use high-pressure sales tactics, including
• Giving a ridiculously high number and then immediately offering a crazy discount
• They pressure you to sign before their “low” price rises
• They say they’ll call their manager to approve random discounts
• Any written proposal they give you is vague and generic
• They dodge questions, especially about price
• They upsell everything
• They insist they can install a better roof for a lower price than competitors
• They start giving quotes before looking at your roof

A reputable contractor will be more than happy to answer all your questions, give you the time you need to consider signing the contract, and clearly explain everything in the proposal and contract.

If something feels either too good to be true or really off, it probably is. Remember to trust your gut.

What Roofing Sales Tactics Actually Mean (And How to Respond)

What red flags should you look for in roof proposals before you sign?

Dealing with a contractor who tries to raise the price after the fact is frustrating, and in many cases, it’s preventable. As you’ve seen, the key is understanding what was actually agreed to in writing, recognizing when a price increase is legitimate, and knowing how to push back when it’s not.

But the bigger lesson is this: most of these problems start long before you sign the contract. They begin in the proposal through vague language, unclear scopes of work, or pricing structures designed to leave room for changes later.

If you can spot those warning signs early, you can avoid being put in a difficult position altogether.

Read our article “What Red Flags Should I Look for When Comparing Roof Proposals?” to learn exactly what to watch for in proposals so you can confidently choose a roofer who is transparent, trustworthy, and upfront about pricing from the start.