Roof renovation scams have "tripled" in five years—How to resist the common phrase, "There are cracks in the tiles, and if left as is, it will be a nuisance to the neighborhood..."

Why Roof Repair Scams Are Increasing Now

• Information Asymmetry: Roofs are difficult for laypeople to see, making it hard to judge the authenticity of deterioration or the appropriateness of repair methods. When shown photos or videos, people are more likely to believe them. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

• Post-Disaster "Wave": Immediately after typhoons, heavy snow, or earthquakes, there is an increase in malicious solicitations due to the surge in repair demand and psychological anxiety. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

• The "Persuasiveness" of Devices: Recently, there have been cases where images or videos supposedly taken with drones or smartphones are shown to exaggerate or fabricate damage, leading to contracts. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

Dissecting Typical Tactics in "Chronological Order"

1. Initial Talk
   "Greetings for nearby construction," "Free inspection," "The roof appears to be floating," "Found damage with a drone"—these are used to get the door opened and have the inspection accepted. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan
   
   

2. Amplifying Anxiety
   "If left as is, it will leak," "Tiles will fly off and cause trouble for neighbors," "Before the typhoon comes"—using psychological pressure to push for an immediate decision. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan
   
   

3. "Limited Time" Discounts and Insurance Talk
   "Special price because materials are leftover," "Virtually free with fire insurance," etc., sweet talk to reduce the sense of burden. National Consumer Affairs Center of JapanCentral Government Information Provision Site
   
   

4. Sequential Sales
   Roof→Exterior walls→Underfloor... leading to unnecessary additional work, causing the estimate to snowball. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

Structure of Damage: The "Heavy" Amounts

Looking at the actual payment amount per consultation, "Construction, Building, Processing" has the highest average payment amount at 801,000 yen. This is why roof repair damage tends to be severe. Central Government Information Provision Site

Legal Protections: "Trump Cards" You Can Use Now

• Specified Commercial Transactions Act and Door-to-Door Sales

  • From the day you receive the contract documents, you have 8 days to cancel through written or electronic records. If the business operator's false explanations or intimidation prevented cancellation, it is possible even after the period has passed. No Trouble

  • Business operators are obligated to clearly state their name and solicitation purpose and provide documents. There are regulations against re-solicitation and false notifications. No Trouble
    
    

• Consumer Contract Act

  • False Notification, Non-disclosure, and Confusion allow for cancellation of the declaration of intent. Clauses that unilaterally harm the consumer's interests, such as penalty fees or exemption clauses, can be invalid. Central Government Information Provision Site+1
    
    

• Public Warning Against "Virtually Free with Fire Insurance" Talk

  • Wear and tear is not covered by insurance. False claims risk insurance refunds, contract cancellations, and fraud charges. The Consumer Affairs Agency has issued warnings. Central Government Information Provision Site

"8 Rules" You Can Use on the Spot (When Visited)

1. Do not engage in long conversations at the doorstep (do not respond without a business card, company name, and purpose).

2. Refuse "free inspections" (once inspected, it becomes difficult to refuse, and photos can be used to incite fear).

3. Do not allow them onto the roof or let them set up a ladder.

4. Do not fall for "limited-time discounts" (do not decide without comparing market prices).

5. Verify if the photos are of "your roof and the date" (request EXIF data or an explanation of the shooting location).

6. Estimates must include "breakdown and basis of construction methods" (product name, quantity, unit price, warranty, construction range).

7. Obtain at least 2-3 estimates (consult with the construction company that built your house or trusted local sources). National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

8. Take the contract home (do not decide immediately. Confirm with family or a third party).

"Red Flag 12 Items" in Estimates and Contracts

• Construction items are listed as one set only, with no breakdown

• Specifications of construction methods and materials are vague (JIS/manufacturer model number not listed)

• Excessive costs for scaffolding and waste disposal that deviate from market standards

• Warranty content is abstract (unclear period, scope, and exemption conditions)

• Bundled additional construction (unnecessary underfloor ventilation fans, insulation spraying, etc.) National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

• "Today only," "Materials are leftover," and other immediate decision conditions

• Emphasis on being "virtually free with fire insurance" (ambiguity about insurance applicability) Central Government Information Provision Site

• Omission or lack of prominence of cooling-off period information

• Excessive penalty fees (suspected violation of Article 10 of the Consumer Contract Act) Central Government Information Provision Site

• Unclear address, responsible person's name, and contact information of the business operator

• No provision for pre- and post-construction photos and

• No explanation or option for renovation defect insurance (third