Complaints over roofing scams general rise after storms, and the city of Georgetown is looking at how to help residents find reputable roofers. (Courtesy Sarris & MacKir Roofing and Construction)
Since 2017 there have been 21 official complaints of roofing scams in Williamson County and five official complaints since 2020 from Georgetown, all occurring after extreme weather conditions in the area, such as hail storms and the February winter storm, according to the Consumer Protection Division at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
While underreported, roofing scams tend to happen after extreme weather conditions when individuals referred to as storm chasers pose as local roofers promising to help consumers, then disappear having done no work and scamming residents out of as much as $20,000, according to the state.
“There are people that are embarrassed they got scammed; they don’t like to talk about it; so as a result, it doesn’t get reported,” Council Member Mike Triggs said.
Extreme weather conditions can often lead to roof damage, and the need for repairs increases. For example, following a hail storm in May 2020, the city of Georgetown saw an increase from the annual 400 re-roofing permits normally issued to 5,488, a 1,272% increase from the annual average, according to city…
