Pictured: Melissa and Kevin McLin formed a coalition of local roofing companies to protect residents from roofing scams and fraud. Provided photo.

After a devastating hurricane season, roofing companies in Manatee County are joining forces to protect local residents and businesses from fraud during repairs. Led by Melissa and Kevin McLin, owners of Blue Collar Roofing, the coalition aims to prevent dishonest contractors from exploiting vulnerable homeowners.

The McLins were motivated to form this coalition after hearing a troubling story from a senior client. The client had received an initial estimate of $20,000 for roofing work, but after filing an insurance claim, the estimate was inflated to $30,000. The contractor promised a "free roof" with no out-of-pocket expenses, a clear sign of insurance fraud, where the roofing company files the claim on behalf of the homeowner and inflates the estimate to cover the deductible.

This situation deeply concerned the McLins, particularly because it could drive up insurance rates for the general public. “As a lifelong resident of the area with most of my family living here, I fear that rising insurance costs could make it impossible for people, especially long-time residents, to afford their homes. It has become my mission to combat these fraudulent practices and help preserve the affordability of our community for those who have lived here for generations.”

To protect the community, the McLins have created a coalition of reputable roofing companies, including Blue Collar Roofing, Pro Roofing Services, Blue Vision Roofing, White Peterman Roofing and Mighty Dog Roofing. While it’s uncommon for competitors to collaborate, the McLins believe protecting the community is more important than business rivalries. "Normally, we’re competing for the same jobs, but when we saw how many people were being taken advantage of, we knew it was time to work together," says Melissa.

This effort is gaining momentum, and more roofing companies are expected to join the coalition. Together, they aim to create a trusted network where homeowners can find reliable, ethical roofing services and avoid scams.

For more information or to connect with the coalition, contact Melissa and Kevin McLin at office@bluecollarroofingflorida.com or call 941-933-7663.

Pictured: Melissa and Kevin McLin formed a coalition of local roofing companies to protect residents from roofing scams and fraud. Provided photo.