A logo for ahlers roofing and construction

Protect Yourself from Shady Roofers!

Apr 08, 2019

Like many parts of the construction industry, the roofing industry has its fair share of disreputable players. All sorts of roofers are trying to bid on jobs and many aim to do the least amount of work, with the cheapest materials, and in the end it’s the customer that suffers.


According to industry expert Danny Ahlers, “The biggest sign of a bad roofer is if they can’t answer your questions or they can’t answer your questions intelligently or completely about the whole process. That’s a red flag! They should be able to walk you through every single step of the job, the quote, the insurance process, and the insurance estimate.” A lot of these things can get very complicated so it’s extremely helpful to have someone explaining them to you. As Danny says, “The estimates are confusing, I mean there’s a lot of codes on there, there’s a lot of numbers on there that are associated with the different sizes of the roof, the length of the gutter, all these different things. And most people have no clue what that is..” A roofer needs to be able to speak intelligently to any numbers they are presenting, tell you where all the money is going and what the finished product is going to look like. If they can’t…you should be concerned.


“Another thing to look out for,” Danny continues, “is if a roofer can’t tell you what the whole job process will look like, like when the guys show up every morning; what do they do; what does the job site look like in the process; are they going to protect my landscaping; what do you do in case of an emergency, etc” All of these different things need to be disclosed, and if someone can’t answer your questions then you should be a little bit worried.


One of the biggest red flags is if a roofer providing a quote is asking for a really large up-front deposit. “If they want that whole $9,000 check that you just got before they’ll even show up to do the job, then that’s a sign of a potential issue there,” says Danny. “Because we’ve been around for a while and because of our reputation,” Danny explains, “most of our customers do not have a problem handing me a big up-front check, but that trust has been earned.” If you don’t already have a relationship with a roofer or contractor, a small deposit to secure the contract is the safest way to start a job. Then the next payment should occur whenever they actually show up with materials to start doing the work.


Lastly, you can often tell when you’re dealing with an unsavory roofer if someone shows up and doesn’t look like they are prepared to do the job. However, that’s not always the easiest thing to know, because it’s hard to know what to look for. Danny recommends that “If guys are showing up in beat up old trucks and maybe no company logos on them and they just look like they rolled out of bed or didn’t sleep at all last night, there might be an issue.” With a lot of these recommendations, one of the things that is most important is communication. According to Danny, “If your contractor hasn’t communicated with you every step of the way, what’s going to happen, why it’s happening, or they just can’t answer your questions, then you’re probably in a problematic scenario.”


We recommend that you ask a prospective roofer the following:


  • Ask any questions you can think of that gets into the specifics of the job: “Are they going to remove all the roofing materials? Am I going to have a dumpster in my driveway? Are you going to protect my landscaping? Will you protect my swimming pool?”
  • Ask what time workers will be arriving and leaving.
  • Ask where they source their materials, to avoid second hand or defective shingles.


If you don’t see a logo on their shirt or logo on the truck, ask to see identification.

“If you have somebody show up that just doesn’t look professional,” says Danny “ or that you wouldn’t feel comfortable handing a $100,000 check, then you’re probably in that situation where it might not be somebody you want to do business with.”


In summary, don’t feel intimidated about asking roofers questions to make sure that you are confident in your decision to hire them. You should have peace-of-mind in your hiring decision. For them, it may just be a job, but for you and your family, it’s your home. That’s why Danny offers all this advice, he wants to help protect your home, your family, and your wallet.

Recent Posts

10 Nov, 2021
Danny’s advice for choosing a quality roofer? Listen to the community! Always check the quantity and quality of reviews that have been left for a potential roofer.
10 Nov, 2021
As the spring rains roll into North Texas, too many of our neighbors are reaching for a drip bucket. Damage from leaking roofs is all too common but often, entirely avoidable! As a trusted roofing contractor, we like to protect your investment. We’ve put together the 5 most common reasons for roof leaks, how to spot them, and how to prevent the damage they can cause.  1. Cracked Flashing Flashing are thin pieces of metal installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof to create a water-barrier. If weather or wear has caused cracks to your flashing, your roof is vulnerable to leaking! Doing a regular visual check of your flashing after any weather events or changes will help you identify these issues before they escalate into further damage to your home.
10 Nov, 2021
Don't take their word for it! Danny explains that a quality roofer shows you pictures along the way.
10 Jan, 2021
Whether you’re in Fort Worth, Plano, Allen, McKinney, or Dallas, knowing the right questions to ask a potential roofer can save you from falling prey to contractor scams in North Texas. Especially in the wake of winter storms, contractors flood North Texas, from Colleyville to Richardson, and present themselves as expert roofers. By asking the following five questions, you can weed out the riff-raff and narrow down to an experienced roofing contractor that you can trust. 1. Are they licensed, insured, and compliant with new legislation? Don’t let a contractor near your home if they aren’t fully licensed and insured! Ask a roofing contractor candidate for a copy of their 2020 Certificate of Insurance. Read it carefully to ensure that their insurance would cover you and your home should any issues or claims arise. Talk with them about the new Texas roofing laws and make sure that their contracts include the mandatory clauses required for compliance. 2. Do they have an exemplary safety record? Every quality residential contractor and trustworthy commercial roofing company makes safety a top priority. One way to do this is to provide OSHA safety training for their staff and crews. Ask a potential contractor what their Experience Modification Rate (or EMR) is. If it is less than the industry standard of 1.0, it’s a great sign that this is a contractor who follows the rules and makes safety a top priority on the job site. 3. Are they a well-established local company? This is an especially important question in the wake of damaging storms! By hiring an established North Texas roofing contractor, you protect yourself from opportunistic roofing scams. By working with a trusted local contractor, whether in Richland Hills, or Denton, you know it will be easy to get in touch with the company should you have any questions or need any warranty service performed in the future. You also have the added protection of being able to seek out first-hand reviews. Your community will help you discover if a local roofing contractor is worthy of your time. 4. Who will be on the job site during your repairs? If the answer to this question is anyone other than the owner or manager of the roofing company, a licensed contractor, or a trained project manager – this is NOT a company you want to work with. Having experienced roofers in a crew is important but does not ensure that an efficient installation or repair can take place without an industry expert in charge to oversee the work. 5. Can they handle the job? A quality roofing contractor can’t give a reliable quote if your specific roofing needs are outside their scope of expertise. A local contractor can be the best in town for residential shingles, but if they don’t have a commercial roofing side of their business, they may not be certified to install materials produced by GAF, Johns Manville, Firestone, Carlisle, or other major manufacturers. Make sure that you’re contacting a contractor who is up to the job. When storms hit, you don’t always have the luxury of time to make a decision about your roofing contractor. Ask these five questions to protect yourself from roofing scams. For peace of mind on any of your residential or commercial roofing projects in North Texas, give us a call at 817-793-2424 or click here to request a quote. We’re located right in the area by North Richland Hills and Southlake.
27 Dec, 2020
Danny shares questions that homeowners should ask a potential roofing contractor.
29 Nov, 2020
Danny Ahlers offers roofing recommendations to care for your property as the seasons shift.
17 Apr, 2020
Rod's taking a break from the jokes! Listen in for an important message from everyone's favorite roofer.
03 Apr, 2020
To our beloved customers, employees, and partners, From all of us here at the Ahlers Family, we pray that you are well and safe. It is our sincere hope that each of you are blessed with the best health you could ask for. These times that we are in are difficult at best, and most of us have never experienced a quarantine or social distancing to this degree. The world around us has changed dramatically in the last few weeks and our decisions and actions must be calculated and intentional so that we can be a part of the solution to the global spread of COVID-19. It is our desire to ensure that all of our stakeholders are safe when interacting with our employees and vendors. It is because of this desire that we have sought after the most accurate information and guidance from infectious disease doctors to come up with our COVID-19 Coronavirus protocol. We have personally spoken to doctors that are currently in a lab here in the United States working tirelessly to find the medical solution to combat and eliminate the virus. The following is our protocol that all employees, sub-contractors, and vendors must adhere to effective 3/19/2020. • Before entering a work environment supervisors must verify workers are healthy and have been free of flu-like symptoms for a minimum of 14 days. • Before beginning work, all supervisors/workers must verify and set-up a handwashing station with soap, hot water, and disposable single-use hand towels. • All supervisors/workers must have in their possession and must utilize hand sanitizer that is approved by the United States CDC. • Before beginning work, all supervisors/workers must use personal hygiene protection such as, but not limited to, respirators, disposable gloves, eye protection, and paper/cardboard-based surface protection. • All supervisors/workers must possess and use a surface sanitation solution made up of no less than 5.25% bleach. (1/3 of a cup of bleach for every gallon of water). If bleach can not be used on the work surface an alcohol-based solution containing no less than 70% alcohol may be used. • When the last worker has completed the final clean-up for the day in a work area, they will sanitize all surfaces in that area as they leave and may not re-enter that area. This includes all surfaces they have come into contact with especially doorknobs, handles, and other devices used to open and close doors or drawers. • If the supervisors/workers scope of work was completed and the supervisors/workers never entered the home, they will only need to sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs or handles. • Lastly, all supervisors/workers will wash, dry, and sanitize their hands before and after they take a break for lunch or a snack. All the above-mentioned action items are to be done in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s and The U.S. CDC’s recommendations for social distancing and personal care. With gratitude and great appreciation, Daniel R. Ahlers II, Daniel R. Ahlers Sr., and Tabatha R. Ahlers
26 Mar, 2020
Are you wondering if it's time for a repair? Get Danny's advice on when to call a professional!
06 Mar, 2020
Spring cleaning shouldn’t stop at the interior of your home! As a trusted roofing contractor in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, we’ve created this Spring Cleaning Exterior Checklist for total home maintenance while you’re sprucing up inside for the season. Spring Cleaning Exterior Checklist: 1. Visually Inspect Your Roof While you’re outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather, walk around your home and inspect your roof from the ground. Look for signs of damage, sagging, and aging. Take note of any damaged or missing shingles and areas with signs of moss, mildew, or other forms of roof decay. The spring rains around Dallas and Fort Worth are notorious for causing costly leaks and water damage, it’s important to make note of these areas and share them with a trusted DFW roofer. 2. Check Gutters And Downspouts Is rainwater flowing freely from your downspouts? As you start the season, scoop leaves and large debris that accumulated over the winter out of your gutters and flush smaller debris out with a hose. As the fine materials move with the water, watch the underside of the gutter for leaks and make sure that the water exits freely through the downspout. If water is pooling anywhere on your roof or not flowing well, make a note of these areas to discuss with your preferred roofing contractor as they are high-risk areas for leaks. 3. Inspect Your Woodwork For Mold And Decay Winter weather often means wear and tear for your woodwork! Walk the perimeter of your property and check both sides of your wooden fence for algae, mildew, and decay. If you have a wooden deck or porch, it needs to be inspected as well! Make note of these areas as they need to be professionally assessed for repairs. Sometimes resealing is enough to protect your woodwork, and sometimes certain boards or sections need to be replaced by a professional local contractor. 4. Test And Reseal Your Deck, Fence, And Railing Whether you’re in Richland Hills, Frisco, Plano, or Southlake, when it comes to fencing, sealing is the key to defending a wooden fence against the elements. Coating your fence with a sealant will increase its resistance to sunlight, heat, and water. This will prevent the spring rains from causing rot or warping and the summer sun’s heat and UV rays from washing out the color of your stain. 5. Have Areas Of Concern Professionally Assessed Call Ahlers for a free, professional inspection of any areas you noted in your assessment. From fence repairs, to interior renovation and leak repair, to maintaining your roof to prevent damage, we’re here to get your entire property in tip-top shape! We care for homes from Fort Worth to McKinney, Allen, and Highland Park. __ Taking the time to properly maintain and prepare your home to withstand the coming weather can have a positive impact for seasons to come. Protecting your investment is what we’re all about here at Ahlers, we hope you’re ready to have the most beautiful home in DFW this spring!
More Posts
Share by: