On average, homeowners will spend up to 4% of their home's value on annual maintenance and repairs, but that money can easily go to waste if a scammer comes knocking.

For homeowners with a tight home improvement budget, these too-good-to-be-true roofing scams can be incredibly tempting. As a leader among Michigan roofing companies, we know that the price of roof replacement isn't always cheap, but that doesn't mean you should take a chance on unknown contractors.

Some of the most common scams out there are executed by individuals claiming to work for roofing companies. Despite the belief that most of these scams would come off as obvious, they can sometimes be difficult to spot in the moment (especially if that moment is a full blown roofing crisis). To avoid unnecessary stress and spending, here are three roofing scams you need to watch out for.

The Door-to-Door Salesman

If a door-to-door salesman shows up at your home with the offer of cheap roofing services, odds are they aren't a real roofing contractor. Under the guise of inspection, this salesman will look at your roof and sometimes even inflict damage upon it to make it look like your roof needs more work than it actually does. In a very rare occurrence, these sales could be legitimate, but more often than not, they're no good.

The Storm Chaser

If there's a roofer at your door after a major storm offering a discounted or free roof, you should be wary. These scammers are known as storm chasers, and usually travel around to areas affected by severe weather. However, they rarely follow through with their work or provide sub-par results. Not only that, but if additional issues arise after the fact, they'll usually be long gone.

High-Stakes Contract

Residential roofing is something that takes time, both in the decision making process and in the repair process. Approximately 72% of homeowners report choosing roofing materials that require little maintenance, but that doesn't mean you should sign the first contract you see.

If a roofing contractor tries to pressure you into signing a contract on the spot, no matter how great the deal is, you should abstain. Like all contracts, even roofing requires close reading and an appropriate amount of time to do so. These high pressure sales tactics are always a red flag.

There are currently over 50,000 companies who specialize in roofing and roof repair across the country, and their information is available with a simple search. Avoiding scammers like the ones mentioned here might be tricky, but the best defense is to find a roofing company that you trust to handle all of your roof repair and maintenance.

And if you're looking for a trustworthy Michigan roofing company, contact West Michigan Roofing and Construction for your first consultation.