How to spot a Storm Chaser

When a large hailstorm hits, like the one that occurred here in San Antonio in November, it seems like roofing contractors come out of the woodwork, but how do you know when the deal they offer is “too good to be true”?

“Storm chasers”, as they are known in the business, travel from state to state doing exactly what the name implies, chasing hail storms, hurricanes and tornadoes.  They swoop in, work for a couple of months repairing damaged homes and fly right back out when the next storm comes along.  When this happens, where does it leave the homeowner when their roof leaks in two months?  Well, not exactly high and dry, closer to mad and wet!  To ensure you don’t end up one of those angry consumers, here are some tips on how to recognize a “Storm Chaser”.

Remember that “too good to be true” deal?  The one whose estimate was thousands of dollars lower than everyone else’s?  Or how about the guy who said he would bring his own insurance adjuster to be sure you received the maximum you were due from your insurance company?  I particularly like the one who sees your insurance paperwork and states he will do the work for less, but charge the insurance company the whole they are willing to pay so you can get a kickback, thus committing insurance fraud.  Most consumers in these situations might think they are getting a great deal, and might not even think there is anything wrong with any of these scenarios.  However, any one of these can lead to major trouble for the homeowner.

First, let’s examine the “too good to be true” deal.  It is always a good idea to get more than one roofing contractor to give you an estimate, and most reputable roofing contractors will not charge to take a look and give an estimate.  If you have an estimator come out and give you a bid that is significantly lower than the others, a red flag should immediately go up.  If they can offer to do the work for that much of a discount, you can bet they are cutting corners somewhere.

Next, let’s tackle the insurance scenarios.  Always have your own insurance company send out an adjuster to examine your roof for damage.  An adjuster who is working for a roofing contractor may not always have your best interests in mind and may not come up with the exact findings your own insurance company would.  This can be a costly mistake for any homeowner.  If a company offers to perform work on your home at a discounted price and charge your insurance company a different amount, they are committing insurance fraud.  As a homeowner, this can land you in hot water as well.  Many reputable companies can and do offer rebates or coupons.  However, you will be charged and expected to pay exactly what their estimate says, only receiving the rebate once the work has been completed.

Choosing a roofing contractor can often be a difficult and time consuming task, but knowing what red flags to look for can give you a great advantage when looking for a San Antonio roofing contractor.