A Monson, Massachusetts, homeowner is getting his chimney, siding, and roof repaired at no cost after an alleged contractor scam destroyed the chimney, according to the trade publication Roofing Contractor. The homeowner had recently paid Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding to install new siding. Soon after that job, a man claiming to be a mason approached the owner and offered to repair a chimney that the man said was close to collapse.
The man quoted $25,000 and started work immediately, swinging a sledgehammer before pulling any permit, the homeowner said. As the demolition went on, the homeowner grew uneasy and went outside to stop it. By then, the chimney was destroyed, and the work had damaged his new siding and part of his roof.
That’s when the homeowner decided to contact Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding about the siding damage. A representative came out and recognized the signs of a known scam tactic and told him to call the police. The homeowner said the people involved were taken into custody at the scene and their vehicle was towed.
The roofing company then brought in a local masonry company, All American Masonry, to help with repairs. The two companies plan to fix the chimney, siding, and roof at no charge, with the work starting on July 13. The roofer said it’s now sharing the story so other homeowners can spot the same setup before it costs them.
How the Alleged Scam Worked
The setup the homeowner described follows a pattern that contractors and consumer regulators warn about. An unsolicited worker shows up soon after a legitimate job wraps, claims to spot an urgent problem, and wants to start expensive repairs on the spot. This kind of “have to start now” urgency and high upfront price are what leave a homeowner little time to check whether the person is licensed or the problem is real.
Several details in this case line up with that pattern. The work began with a sledgehammer before any permit was pulled, which meant the chimney was already coming down by the time the homeowner tried to stop it. Starting demolition before a signed contract, a permit, or proof of licensing is one of the clearest warning signs, since it leaves the homeowner committed to a job that has not been documented or approved.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Contractor Scam?
The roofing company laid out the red flags it wants homeowners to watch for. The biggest is a contractor who arrives uninvited, often right after another company has finished work, paired with heavy pressure to sign or pay a large sum immediately. Two more are work that starts before there is a signed contract or deposit, and a contractor who cannot or will not show a license, registration, or proof of insurance. Any urgent claim that something is about to fail and has to be fixed right now belongs on the list as well.
The company’s advice is to slow the process down before agreeing to anything. Homeowners can verify a contractor’s license and registration through the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (in this area). But further, they should never let any kind of work begin without a signed contract in hand. In this case, the homeowner is getting his chimney rebuilt for free, though the roofer’s larger point is that a few minutes of checking could have prevented the damage. Always verify if unsure, and don’t pay more than you should have to pay.