Another warning about roof repair fraud in the Waterloo region

Waterloo Regional Police are warning residents about roof repair scams as summer approaches.

According to police, homeowners are being targeted by rogue contractors who come to their homes and pressure their victims into believing work is needed.

Police have received complaints in recent weeks about scammers who have started repair work without the homeowner’s permission and then claim they are entitled to money for the work done.

“They will demand deposits and ask for them to be paid in cash instead of using a proper invoice and bank transfer,” Waterloo Regional Police said in a message to X. “Costs begin to accrue once work has begun and the work is not completed or is substandard.”

Common tactics used by scammers include:

• Pushy selling: claiming repairs are urgently needed and offering discounts for a limited time.
• Prepayments: Demanding a significant amount of payment up front and then disappearing.
• Poor Workmanship: Performing minimal or substandard repairs that could cause further damage to the roof.

To protect themselves, police advise homeowners to take the following precautions:

• Ask for proof of license, insurance and references.
• Contact previous customers to verify the quality of the contractor’s work.
• Request quotes from several contractors to compare prices and services.
• Search review websites for information about the contractor.
• Reliable contractors usually ask for a deposit, but not the full payment up front. Do not pay cash and ask for bank details and a correct invoice.
• Make sure all terms, including scope of work, timelines, and payment schedules, are set out in a written contract.

Homeowners who suspect they have been targeted by a roof repair scam are urged to report the incident to the police immediately. Victims can file a complaint via the police’s non-emergency helpline or online reporting system.