Storm Chasers: Why You Should Avoid Them

Many homeowners are very leery about roofing companies, mainly because of the contractors who try to take advantage and make easy money. They usually come out of the woodwork right after a strong storm sweeps through an area.

Known as storm chasers, these companies send out a flood of sales people who use scare tactics to sell homeowners new roofs. They usually go door to door, informing each home that they have storm damage and can get a new roof at a very low cost or even free. They know that the insurance companies will likely pay for replacements for roofs that have been damaged by hail or strong winds.

Storm chasers can burn homeowners in a few ways. Sure, the homeowner may get a new roof, but in reality, they usually meet the bare minimum of code requirements and are made with the lowest quality products. Critical elements like flashing will fail because so many corners are cut, and air circulation or insulation in the attic are not factored in at all when these companies are installing new roofs. 

These cheap and poorly installed roofs typically need repairs and even full replacements, leaving the homeowners to deal with a mess.  Because the insurance company has already paid for a new roof, the homeowners have to pay out of pocket for repairs or another replacement. Most of these storm chasing companies are from out of town and will vanish once the work is complete, if not during the project, making it impossible for the homeowner to get them to repair their mistakes or fulfill any warranties they promised.

So how do you spot a storm chaser, and how do you avoid falling for their scams?

Find out where their main office is located. Most storm chasing roofing companies come in from out of state and stay for a short time in the hopes of making some quick money. Look the company up online, research where they are from, check to see if they have a local phone number, and look for reviews from people in your area.

Check online presence. Legitimate roofing companies should have profiles on websites like HomeAdvisor and Angie's List. You can check their rating with the Better Business Bureau, see if they're active on social media, and look to see if they've responded to any complaints.

Find out how long they've been in business. Many roofing companies fail within the first 5 years of opening. If the company has offered a workmanship warranty, but then closes, that warranty goes away with them. A newer company also doesn't have the same kind of experience as other more established roofing companies. 

Verify they have the proper credentials and insurance.  Any time you have anyone do work on your home, it's very important to verify that they are licensed and insured to work in your area. A legitimate contractor will have no problem showing you all of the necessary paperwork.

Don't let them get on your roof or sign any paperwork. Storm chasing salespeople are typically overbearing and use high pressure tactics to get you to agree to things.  No matter what they may say, do not sign anything or let them get up on the roof.  They may tell you they're only going to do a roof assessment and that you need to sign something saying that's ok, but they don't tell you that signing the paperwork also signs away your rights to the roof. You'll be locked into using them for a roof replacement, and breaking that contract can cost a lot of money.

Check with your insurance company. If you do suspect storm damage, reach out to your insurance company.  Every policy is different, so it is best to find out the specifics of your particular policy.  The insurance company will send out someone to inspect and assess the damage, as well as recommend local roofing companies for the repairs.

Educating yourself and your neighbors is the best way to avoid being the victim of a roofing scam. There are plenty of local companies that are familiar with the codes and requirements in the area who would greatly appreciate your business.  At Nashville Roofers, we are very familiar with working with insurance companies to help homeowners pay for costly repairs or roof replacements.  We pride ourselves on honesty and integrity, and we promise that we will not try to sell you any services you don't need.