Tips tell exactly how to perform common contractor-selection duties and avoid pitfalls in hiring a roofer, reports Roofing Portland Experts

Portland, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/24/2014 -- Roofing Portland Experts, a site that connects homeowners with roofing contractors, today announced the release of its information on how to choose a good roofing company. This information goes into far more detail that is normally given, and even includes tips for avoiding scams and other problems.

"A good example of our expanded information involves the recommendation to ask for referrals from friends and neighbors," said Tim Swanson of the Roofing Portland Experts company. "We have found that simple 'referrals' often end up being useless. The key is to ask specific questions about the company that has been recommended instead of just getting a name and a satisfaction rating. People should ask whether the company provided a detailed estimate, whether they hauled away the debris, and what processes were used to fix the roof. This provides a far more detailed picture of a prospective roofer and will often let people know whether it's worth calling that one for a quote."

Often, a homeowner won't know exactly what processes were used on their roof. This is just because many people don't really care about anything other than whether it works or not. Even so, the person giving the referral should be able to tell about things like how long it took to do the job and whether the crew seemed tight or sloppy. Faster isn't always better in the case of roofing. If the job got done extremely quickly but the roofer didn't use very many crew members, it can be a sign that corners were cut.

"Another common tip is to get estimates from multiple roofers," Swanson said. "Here, details are again often omitted. Our site's tips, however, let people know just what to look for when a company comes to do an inspection to get the quote. The way they act, what they're willing to explain, and how they explain it are all very important indicators of whether their offer should be accepted."

"We also warn about scams common to the Portland area," Swanson said, "and we make sure that Roofing Portland Experts contractors do not engage in those practices. One scam we warn about is the blank contract. Some companies will try to get customers to sign a blank sheet, and claim that they'll just bill everything to the insurance. Needless to say, they then pack the invoice with plenty of unnecessary charges. This ends up costing the homeowner because the insurance company will raise its premiums to them. It may also deny payment of these unjustifiable costs."

About Roofing Portland Experts
Roofing Portland Experts is a site that allows people seeking roofing companies to find and get quotes from multiple contractors. It also offers plenty of information and tips that make it easier to avoid pitfalls and scams. With this information, choosing a contractor is much simpler.

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Education is homeowners' strongest line of defense against fraud and inferior workmanship RoofingPortlandExperts.com publishes

Portland, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/09/2014 -- Statistics from the home improvement industry expose roofing repairs as the third most costly expense homeowners face. This sector of the market has also been revealed as the third most likely area for fraud, topped by plumbing and concrete repair work. Having seen first hand the expense and aftermath of unscrupulous contractors, Tim Swanson of Roofing Portland Experts has launched a campaign to educate area homeowners on avoiding such costly mistakes.

Swanson explained, "A home is a major investment, and the contractors homeowners choose for their repair work play a key role in the integrity and longevity of their property. Putting a little time and effort into finding a trustworthy Roofing Expert in Portland can save money and heartache, and we want to offer advice on the correct way to do so."

The first step in the process of finding a reliable contractor, according to Swanson, is consulting with relatives, friends, neighbors and other trusted acquaintances regarding their experience with area roofers. The homeowner should ask if the contractor in question finished previous jobs in a timely and professional manner. The quality of materials used is a factor, as well. Whether or not the contractor hauled away old materials should also be considered.

In addition to reliable roof maintenance and cleaning services, this will also provide insight into whom not to turn to for repair projects. The Better Business Bureau and popular consumer review websites can be valuable resources for finding contractors who have built a positive reputation in their field, as well. Those who come highly recommended should be noted on a list of possible contractors to hire.

Once a short list has been compiled, each contractor should be invited to the home to inspect the roofing system and provide an estimate based on the work needed. A simple, one figure quote will not suffice; on the contrary, an itemized explanation of the cost should be given, including details regarding the dimensions of the home and area to be repaired, the price of materials and labor and other important aspects. The contractor should be ready and willing to explain each element of the estimate.

Swanson also emphasized the importance of professional license and insurance coverage in the selection process, noting homeowners should never hesitate to verify these aspects. Each state has an agency devoted to professional licensing, and these agencies stand ready to validate the certification of contractors. Insurance information may be obtained through the contractor's provider, including when the policy went into effect and expires, as well as the extent of coverage.

"Taking these measures prior to hiring a contractor will help homeowners ensure find a certified roofer in Portland who will provide the most effective and cost efficient services available," concluded Swanson, "Keep in mind, the decision should not be based solely on the lowest quote, nor does the most expensive estimate necessarily mean the best service. Anyone in need of roofing installation or repairs may feel free to call us for a free quote or contact us via our website."

About Roofing Portland Experts
Dedicated to ensuring homeowners receive only the highest quality materials and workmanship, Roofing Portland Experts provide advice and services to those in Portland and the surrounding areas.

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Knowing what to watch out for can save homeowners thousands of dollars, reports RoofingPortlandExperts.com

Portland, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/08/2014 -- Roofing scams have become so prevalent in recent years that they have even been featured on local TV news programs, and stories about about how shady roofers have fleeced their customers for thousands of dollars. To help put a dent in the problem, Roofing Portland Experts (http://roofingportlandexperts.com) has released several tips on how to avoid some of the scams found in the Portland area. These tips can be found at http://roofingportlandexperts.com/tips/.

"One of the biggest scams going around in our area is the blank contract scam," said Tim Swanson of Roofing Portland Experts. "Instead of listing a price, these contracts just say 'for insurance proceeds.' It goes without saying that these roofers are going to pack that bill with all sorts of unnecessary charges. The homeowner may think that it doesn't matter since the insurance is paying for it, but that's not the case at all. When the insurance company is hit with these bills, they respond by raising their premiums."

The blank contract trick can go even further than this. In most cases, these unscrupulous roofers in Portland Oregon will insist that the insurance company pay before work begins. When a scammer is paid everything in advance, there's a very high chance that he'll just disappear without doing any work at all.

"Legitimate roofers may ask for a deposit to make sure that they don't end up on the wrong side of the stick," said Swanson, "but they'll also give itemized contracts that clearly specifiy all charges. They also won't expect homeowners to just trust them with the full payment in advance."

Another trick going around is the "Door Tag Swindle." With this scam, door tags are placed when the residents aren't home. They promise a free roofing inspection, give a bit of a pitch, and have a number to call. The catch is that they'll demand that the residents sign a paper authorizing the inspection. In reality, this contract authorizes actual work, which, of course, will cost plenty.

"Often, homeowners don't realize what the contract says until work suddenly begins," said Swanson. "These scammers will then promise to work directly with the homeowner's insurance company in order to keep from getting kicked off the property. Of course, they'll then do unnecessary work and pack the bill with loads of charges."

Avoiding that trick is simple, Swanson informs. Homeowners should simply refuse to sign anything until they are actually ready to get roof repair in Portland (http://roofingportlandexperts.com/services/). They also shouldn't deal with any company that tries this trick.

These are just a couple of tips offered by Roofing Portland Experts to help people avoid being fleeced when they deal with a roofing company in Portland. Visit http://roofingportlandexperts.com/tips/ to learn of other common scams and tricks to avoid.

About Roofing Portland Experts
Roofing Portland Experts specializes in roof repair as well as jobs like re-shingling and roof reconstruction. They offer many tips on how to save money on roofing and how to avoid unscrupulous tactics used by shady companies.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm