After a big hailstorm in Collin County, the trucks show up within days. Some belong to local roofers your neighbors have used for years. Others come from out of town, follow the storm, knock on every door they can, and move on to the next town before the warranty paperwork is even filed.
Most homeowners can't tell them apart on the porch. Here's what to look for.
Why storm chasers are a problem
The issue isn't that a company is from somewhere else. It's what happens after they leave. A roofer with no local office can't come back when a flashing detail leaks six months later or a warranty question comes up. Some of them do fine work. But if something goes wrong, you may be calling a number that no longer answers.
Signs you're talking to a storm chaser
They found you, not the other way around. A knock on the door the day after a storm, especially with "we're working on your neighbor's house," is the classic opening. Good local roofers are usually busy enough after a storm that they aren't going door to door.
Out-of-state plates and no local address. Look at the truck. Ask where their office is. A real local company can give you a street address in the area and won't mind if you drive by.
Pressure to sign today. "We can only hold this price until tonight" or "your insurance window is closing" are pressure tactics. Hail claims in Texas generally give you time to get more than one opinion, so check your policy for the actual deadline instead of taking someone's word for it.
An offer to cover your deductible. This one matters. Texas law prohibits a contractor from paying, waiving, or rebating your insurance deductible. A roofer who offers to "take care of it," or to inflate the claim so you don't pay it, is putting you at risk along with themselves.
A contract that hands them control of your claim. Read anything you're asked to sign closely. Some agreements let the contractor negotiate with your insurer on your behalf, or lock you into using them for whatever the claim pays. You should always stay in control of your own claim.
Cash up front. A large deposit before any materials arrive, especially in cash, is a red flag.
Questions to ask any roofer after a storm
- Where is your office, and how long have you worked in this area?
- Can you give me the names of a few nearby customers from the last year or two?
- Who handles the warranty on your work, and how do I reach you if something leaks next year?
- Will you pull the permit the city requires? Most Collin County cities require one for a re-roof.
- Do you carry liability insurance and workers' comp, and can you send me the certificate?
A good roofer will answer every one of these without hesitating.
What to do right after a storm
You don't need to decide anything on the porch. Take photos of any damage you can see safely from the ground, including dented gutters, damaged screens, and granules collecting at the downspouts. Call your insurance company to open a claim if you think there's damage. Then call a roofer you chose yourself, not one who chose you.
If an inspection does find damage, get the estimate in writing and compare it against what your adjuster approves. Our guide to reading a roofing estimate walks through the line items.
A local roofer you can find again
Blue Ribbon Roofing is a family-owned company that has worked on roofs across McKinney and the surrounding communities for years. We'll still be here after storm season ends. If a recent storm has you wondering about your roof, get in touch and we'll take a look, with no pressure and no deadline.
