Top 5 Gutter Installer Scams and How to Avoid Them

You don’t want to become another “contractor nightmare horror story” do you? Of course not, who would, right? But sadly it happens all the time to unsuspecting home owners who don’t properly research and vet the people who are working on their homes.

In this article you will learn how to avoid the Top 5 Gutter Installer Scams by showing you what to look for in a local gutter installer.

You will also discover the right questions to ask so you don’t get tricked into a bad experience.

Avoid Becoming a Victim of these Top 5 Gutter Installer Scams

1) Better Start Today or Someone Will Get Hurt

Less than reputable contractors use scare tactics by appealing to your fears and not letting you think about it first. These people exaggerate the situation and will convince you to have them do the work “Right NOW”.

For example, a gutter installer might tell you, “There is a leak in your gutters and because of that your entire roof is rotting away and could cave in at any moment killing everyone inside so you need to have me fix this right now!”

Ask for a reasonable assessment determining the severity of the problem and the scope and cost of the best solution. A reputable contractor will offer you all that without having to ask for it.

2) Demanding Upfront Payment in Full before Starting

You should be hearing warning bells when a gutter guy tells you that he will need 100% upfront payment before beginning the work on your home. A professional, honest and reliable contractor would never do that.

While it is common that some gutter installers might ask for a 20% or 30% down payment if it’s a very large job that spans more than a few days work (such as an entire apartment complex or a 100K sqft commercial building), they never ask for full payment upfront. The standard is payment in full at completion AFTER the customer inspects the work and is satisfied.

Ask about payment plans and schedules for completion prior to opening a new contract.

3) Offering Exceptionally Low Bids

Professional contractors have material suppliers, dealers, work crews, etc. and they have to pay them a fair price or wage.

A stunningly low bid is going to attract your attention; however, you need to know that an exceptionally low bid is a red flag because there are certain costs involved that can not always be met by charging a super low price. Expect to see low quality materials and poor workmanship in order for them to meet that extra low price. And that’s if they get the work done at all!

Ask how they expect to complete high quality work for a low price that is far below normal in other comparable quotes.

4) High Pressure Up Selling

Customers can be easily swayed by a fast talking contractor with shiny new additions and upgrades. Shady contractors are well aware of how to convince such clients of needing expensive additions before getting started (and sometimes after which is more costly).

They might suggest something like, “Wouldn’t copper gutters look better instead of aluminum?” Or maybe, “You really could use more downspouts all around the house.” Well, these sound like a great ideas but not when all your work has already been finished. Making changes in the middle of a gutter installation project can increase the price. But making changes after the work is already done make things very expensive for you as work has to be undone and redone to accommodate the new plan.

A professional gutter contractor will devise a plan right at the start of the work and tell you how much it will cost you, how much time it will take and how they will proceed. Ask if they suggest upgrades before the project, during or after it’s been completed.

5) Too Many Projects in Play at the Same Time

Some people are easily impressed when a contractor claims he has lots of projects going at the same time. Seemingly it shows the contractor is in demand and successful.

You know, con artists are really good at doing that and they frequently demand payment in full to “lock you in” their schedule. After you give them a substantial amount of money they disappear and you never see them again.

On the other hand, honest contractors who actually are busy and in demand will need to schedule in advance but would never ask for money upfront to set an appointment for a future date.

Ask about the size of his company, onsite gutter fabrication and bending equipment, number of trucks and work crews, nearby vendors and other skilled labor he can utilize on short notice.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Choosing the right contractor to design and install a well made guttering system can be tough. Finding the perfect contractor can be easier as long as you are knowledgeable and prepared. Hopefully you’ve gained some valuable and useful insights with us today.

If you’re in North San Diego County and looking for a great gutter installer you can trust then please contact Greg Martin at AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters. He’s built his business on more than his good looks… (joking). Seriously though, honesty and integrity are his two highest values. You can always count on Greg to tell you the truth. His second highest value is his perfectionism. He’s not done until he’s satisfied that the gutter installation is 100% to his highest standards of excellence.

Is Greg Martin the right gutter installer for you?

• If you want to be free from worry, doubt and fear that your contractor might be ripping you off, not listening to you or royally messing up your gutters, then he’s your guy.

• If you want to enjoy the peace of mind a professionally designed and expertly installed seamless rain gutter system has to offer AND be confident it was done right AND that it meets all your expectations, then AAA Pro 1 for you.

• If you want a hassle free experience and know that you paid a fair and reasonable price for your new rain gutters, this is for you.

If you answered “YES” to the previous three questions then call Greg Martin at AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters (760) 445-8762. You’ll get a hassle free experience, a FREE no obligation on site gutter inspection and an accurate price quote. And you can expect honest answers to all of your questions. Call (760) 445-8762. Serving all of North San Diego County, CA.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Business: AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters
Contact: Greg Martin, Owner
Phone: 760-445-8762
E-mail: sanmarcosraingutters@gmail.com
Business Location: San Marcos, CA. 92069

How to Find a Local Gutter Installer You Can Trust

How do you know you chose the right one until your gutters are installed? Or do you really know for sure? What if it looks good on the outside but it’s all wrong… Bad design in downspouts, incorrect drainage angles, loose mounts, leaky joints, etc? What if he used sub-par materials or hired help with little to no experience?

I’m going to teach you how to avoid all those problems by showing you what to look for in a local gutter installer before you even talk to him.

I’ll also reveal to you the right questions to ask so you don’t get bamboozled into a bad experience.

And then I’ll show you one more thing that’s super cool as well. Something you would never have thought of…

But first, a little about us. AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters in San Marcos is owned by a very good man named Greg Martin. He’s been installing rain gutters since the early 1990s. With over 2,500 successfully completed local gutter installation projects under his belt he has happy clients all over San Diego County. A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau Great reviews on Yelp, Yellow Pages, Angie’s List and more.

So this guy really knows his stuff.

Here’s what you’ll learn during this presentation:

• How to screen prospective gutter installers quickly before even talking to them so you can save time in your search.

• How to meet with an installer without wasting time asking all the wrong questions so you can find the best one for you quicker.

• How to avoid becoming a victim of these 5 Common Contractor Scams so you can rest assured that your project goes smoothly.

Why this is important to you NOW:

• Save Time & Money

• Avoid hassles and needless aggravation

• Get the project done right for a good price

How to Screen Prospective Contractors Quickly
Go online, check for proper licensing, read reviews and check references. By using a gutter installation contractor who is uninsured and unlicensed you are putting yourself, those around you, and your property at risk.

Insurance company statistics show that falling off ladders is a leading cause of insurance claims. Power tool related injuries account for the second most claims.

If the uninsured contractor you hired is involved in an accident while working for you or unintentionally destroys something valuable you are 100% responsible and you could end up with extra significant expenses.

It’s important to use a reputable contractor for anything you wish done to your home if it’s beyond a simple project or installation. Check their BBB rating and online reviews such as Yelp and Angie’s List.

Meeting with Contractors and Getting Quotes

When you meet with gutter installers be sure you are comfortable speaking with them and that you are able to convey what you want from him. Be polite, concise and direct. Make sure they listen to you and understand what the gutter installation project involves and what is expected from them.

Also, be sure to inform the installer when you want it done and what you reasonably expect to pay.

If they use any high pressure tactics or make absurd promises then end the interview, say “no thank you” and ask them to leave.

Avoid Becoming a Victim of these 5 Common Contractor Scams

You don’t want to become another “contractor nightmare horror story” do you? Of course not, who would, right? But sadly it happens all the time to unsuspecting home owners who don’t properly research and vet their contractors like you are learning how to do right now.

1) Better Start Today or Someone Will Get Hurt

2) Demanding Upfront Payment in Full before Starting

3) Offering Exceptionally Low Bids

4) Hard Core Upselling

5) Too Many Projects in Play at the Same Time

More explanation about those 5 Contractor Scams in another article.

Here’s What It All Boils Down To

Choosing the right contractor to design and install a well made guttering system can be tough. Finding the perfect contractor can be easier as long as you are knowledgeable and prepared. Hopefully you’ve gained some valuable and useful insights with us today.

If you’re in the North San Diego County area and looking for a great gutter installer then please contact Greg Martin at AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters. Greg can help you with anything from simple gutter cleaning and repairs to installing a brand new custom made full home rain gutter system.

Is Greg Martin the right gutter installer for you?

• If you want to be free from worry, doubt and fear that your contractor might be ripping you off, not listening to you or royally messing up your gutters, then this is for you.

• If you want to enjoy the peace of mind a professionally designed and expertly installed seamless rain gutter system has to offer AND be confident it was done right AND that it meets all your expectations, then this is for you.

• If you want a hassle free experience and know that you paid a fair and reasonable price for your new rain gutters, this is for you.

If you answered “YES” to the previous three questions then call Greg Martin at AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters (760) 445-8762. You’ll get a hassle free experience, a FREE no obligation on site gutter inspection and an accurate gutter price quote. And you can expect honest answers to all of your questions. Call (760) 445-8762. Serving all of North San Diego County, CA.

And that one super cool thing that earlier I said you never would have thought of…

Well, it’s three things actually:

1. Since you’re reading this far that means you are a person looking for high quality service instead of a ridiculous low price.
2. It means you value honest information for making great decisions.
3. And because of that, and with what you just learned, you now have everything you need to make the best informed decision for you

Make the call:

Business: AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters

Contact: Greg Martin
Phone: 760-445-8762
E-mail: sanmarcosraingutters@gmail.com
Website: http://aaapro1raingutters.blogspot.com
Business Location: San Marcos, CA. 92069

Guttering Installation & Repairs Done Right Saves You Time and Money

It is a shame to see the number of homeowners let good guttering installations go bad when they allow their rain gutters to get clogged up. Then, compounding the problem, they neglect proper and timely guttering repairs.

Costly problems result for lack of guttering repairs making your guttering installation of none affect to your home. These homeowners are costing themselves so much money and it is simple enough to avoid the problem with proper guttering repairs and maintenance.

You can do this yourself or hire a professional gutter installer.

These gutter installation experts know how to install rain gutters the right way so that the lip is placed properly between the gutter flashing and the roof shingles. They’ll also apply a nice tight seal between the gutter and the roof to prevent water from seeping under your roofing through the cracks.

Proper Guttering Installation

Proper guttering installation is not the only thing you need to do to prevent leakage and roof damage. These gutters do need to be maintained; properly caring for your gutters year round will prevent the need for expensive guttering repairs.

Aluminum Gutter Maintenance

For aluminum gutters, homeowners should also take time at the end of each summer to repaint their gutters where the weather has eroded away the old previous paint.  Paint acts as a weather barrier protecting the finish and metal of the gutters from water and corrosion.

Copper gutters and galvanized steel gutters do not require painting.

Gutter Cleaning

Once or twice a year, climb up on a ladder and clean dead leaves and debris out of your rain gutters. Do this rain gutter maintenance at minimum on a seasonal basis; or more often on an “as needed” basis if you have lots of tress and foliage near your home.

You’ll need to clean out the gutters more frequently in the autumn as the falling leaves are constantly choking them with debris. 

The leaves may occasionally be wet and molding and they might be difficult to clean out by hand. This is where a professional rain guttering specialist is recommended. They have the right tools and skills to safely and effectively clean you rain gutters.

Gutter Covers

Special covers for rain gutters that keep leaves from falling into the gutter line and clogging it is another option for homeowners who wish to avoid regular cleaning of their gutters each season.

Downspouts

Occasionally, the drain pipes (downspouts) of your rain gutters will get clogged up as well. These pipes are quite easy to disconnect from the gutter and flush out with a garden water hose pressure.

If repairs are needed you can try to have a go at it yourself. But overall it’s best to call a rain gutter repairs expert to do the guttering repairs for you. A guttering repairs expert can help you save time and money.

Saves Time is self explanatory; you’re not the one doing the work so it frees up your time for more productive activities.

Saves Money: How can it save money if you’re paying someone else to do the work?

• Simply put, we deal in wholesale so our cost of materials is far less than yours. And we usually pass much of those savings on to you.
• Another way you save money is by letting a pro do it right, once, the first time. Put politely, we’ve already paid for our learning curve so you won’t have to pay for yours.
• Hospitals cost a lot of money. Save time and money by eliminating the risk of falling off a ladder or hurting yourself with power tools.

Stay on top of repairs as they are needed because not performing regular guttering repairs can lead to premature failure of your gutters and subsequently the need for a costly replacement with a new gutter system installation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Greg Martin is the owner of AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters in San Marcos, CA. He and his team of seamless gutter installers are expert installers of seamless rain gutters. They are very experienced in rain gutters for San Marcos homes. Get more info on seamless rain gutters and seamless gutter installers plus a free quote by calling 760-445-8762.

Contact: Greg Martin

Business: AAA Pro 1 Rain Gutters

Location: san Marcos, CA. 92069

Phone: 760-445-8762

E-mail: sanmarcosraingutters@gmail.com

Website: http://aaapro1raingutters.blogspot.com

Business Address: San Marcos, CA. 92069