Roofers #1 On The BBB Hit List
Roofers are ranked #1 on the Better Business Bureau Hit List. Not just last year, but every year! It never changes. I can guarantee it will be the same this year. In 2012, there were over 3.2 million BBB hits and searches on roofing companies. That is 1% of America's total population! There were almost 8,000 complaints against roofers that year. It is widely assumed that those 8,000 roofing complaints represent less than 10% of the dissatisfied homeowners across the country that hired a roofing contractor in 2012. What does this mean? One, It means we're frightened of hiring roofing contractors. Two, the odds you'll be dissatisfied with your roofing project are way too high.
Why are there so many hits and complaints against roofing contractors? I have a theory. I've studied the statistics and trends year by year published by the BBB. You can see that almost every year at the top of the list with roofing contractors are the same old players - Used Car Dealers, Auto Repair Shops, Mortgage Brokers and Insurance Companies. I believe all of these industries have a few things in common. Most of their customers have very little knowledge of the work, materials, labor and skill required to ensure their goals are met. These customers may also have very little power to oversee or manage their project. Many of my clients have no idea what's required for a successful roofing project before they meet me. Most of them are away at work during the day, unable to supervise their home's project. They must completely trust me with their home. There is no other choice. Not too many of my clients want to get up on the roof to see what's going on. Now check out where Kitchen & Bath Contractors are on the list. All the way down at #118. Tile contractors at #177. Why is that? It's because you can manage and check on your contractor's workmanship and materials. It's right in front of your face. It's a lot harder for those contractors to dupe you. I think most of us can tell if something isn't going well with a kitchen remodel. You can bring it to your contractor's attention and they can fix it. With a new roof it's completely different. If something goes wrong, you won't know it until your contractor is long gone and the rains come.
For example, I personally know almost nothing about cars. I'm completely at my Auto Shop's mercy when it comes to making repairs on our family's vehicles. Luckily I found a shop I trust. Isn't it the same with Mortgage Brokers? Just like roofers, their customers can be susceptible to 'bait & switch tactics'. With all of those industries at the Top of the BBB List, I think the one common thread among their customers is this: There's a high probability those customers have very little clue as to what work is being performed as part of their agreement. They'll likely not be able to manage their project closely. Lastly, if the project goes bad, there's a good chance that those customers are going to burn through even more money to fix their problem.
Check out the last 10 years of the BBB's U.S. Complaint Statistics by clicking the button below.
Why are there so many hits and complaints against roofing contractors? I have a theory. I've studied the statistics and trends year by year published by the BBB. You can see that almost every year at the top of the list with roofing contractors are the same old players - Used Car Dealers, Auto Repair Shops, Mortgage Brokers and Insurance Companies. I believe all of these industries have a few things in common. Most of their customers have very little knowledge of the work, materials, labor and skill required to ensure their goals are met. These customers may also have very little power to oversee or manage their project. Many of my clients have no idea what's required for a successful roofing project before they meet me. Most of them are away at work during the day, unable to supervise their home's project. They must completely trust me with their home. There is no other choice. Not too many of my clients want to get up on the roof to see what's going on. Now check out where Kitchen & Bath Contractors are on the list. All the way down at #118. Tile contractors at #177. Why is that? It's because you can manage and check on your contractor's workmanship and materials. It's right in front of your face. It's a lot harder for those contractors to dupe you. I think most of us can tell if something isn't going well with a kitchen remodel. You can bring it to your contractor's attention and they can fix it. With a new roof it's completely different. If something goes wrong, you won't know it until your contractor is long gone and the rains come.
For example, I personally know almost nothing about cars. I'm completely at my Auto Shop's mercy when it comes to making repairs on our family's vehicles. Luckily I found a shop I trust. Isn't it the same with Mortgage Brokers? Just like roofers, their customers can be susceptible to 'bait & switch tactics'. With all of those industries at the Top of the BBB List, I think the one common thread among their customers is this: There's a high probability those customers have very little clue as to what work is being performed as part of their agreement. They'll likely not be able to manage their project closely. Lastly, if the project goes bad, there's a good chance that those customers are going to burn through even more money to fix their problem.
Check out the last 10 years of the BBB's U.S. Complaint Statistics by clicking the button below.