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6 Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed by a Storm Chasing Roofing Company
Aaron Venegaz is the President and founder of Global Exterior Experts and has been in the construction / roofing industry for over 15+ years. He started the company back in 2010 and done everything from scheduling appointments to putting down roofs. He's also done everything from commercial roofing to residential roofing and has also worked with almost every single roofing material multiple times over the past 15 years.
When you need a new roof, finding the right roofing company isn't just about getting the lowest price. It's about protecting one of your biggest investments. The wrong choice can lead to water damage, structural problems, and thousands in repair costs down the road. Here's what you need to watch for when comparing contractors for your roof replacement.
Red Flag #1: No Proof of Insurance or Proper Licensing
This one's non negotiable. Any legitimate roofing company should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Period; if they don't then you're on the hook for any damages.
If someone gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't have workers' comp, you pay. General liability protects you if your siding gets damaged during a tear off or a new window gets cracked because of falling materials. Without general liability insurance your also on the hook for repairs too.
Just make sure you ask to see certificates of insurance before signing anything. Check that the policy isn't expired and the coverage amounts are adequate (usually around $1 million for general liability insurance). If they hesitate or say they'll "get it to you later," that's your signal to keep looking.
State licensing requirements vary but most areas require roofing contractors to register with the state or carry specific trade licenses to even do their work, like roofing licenses to install roofing systems. Call your local licensing board if you're unsure whether someone's legitimate or not, it takes five minutes and saves potential headaches and could save $$$$$$ in losses.
Red Flag #2: Aggressive Sales Tactics and "Today Only" Pressure
Now the good old fashion pushy sales pitches. You know the one where the sales representative says "Sign today and save 30%!" or "This price expires at midnight!"
Quality roof replacement doesn't work on impulse purchases and a professional roofing company gives you time to think, compare options, and ask questions. They don't create artificial urgency or make you feel rushed into decisions.
Yes, seasonal promotions exist that may possibly end that very night, but legitimate discounts come with clear terms and reasonable timeframes. When someone camps out at your kitchen table refusing to leave until you sign, now that's manipulation not real customer care.
Here's the thing: good contractors stay busy through referrals and reputation. They don't need high pressure tactics because their quality work speaks for itself. If you feel uncomfortable or pressured into buying, trust that instinct.
Red Flag #3: Vague Estimates and No Written Contracts
Ever get a quote that says "approximately $12,000, give or take"? That's not a quote that's just a guess with an escape hatch.
Professional estimates break down costs by category and you'll should see line items for materials (on there listed shingles, underlayment, flashing, vents, etc.), labor, permits, disposal fees, and any extras like ice and water shield. When pricing is transparent you'll know exactly what you're paying for.
Written contracts protect both parties. They should spell out:
- Project start and completion dates
- Specific materials being used (manufacturer, model, color)
- Payment schedule tied to project milestones
- Warranty details for workmanship and materials
- Cleanup procedures and disposal methods
- Change order process if unexpected issues arise
Verbal agreements mean nothing when problems surface so make sure you get everything in writing before work starts. A roofing company that scoffs at detailed contracts are just planning to wiggle themselves into a $4,000 upcharge for ventilation and no cleanup.
The payment structure matters too because most contractors require a deposit to order materials and schedule crews, this can be anywhere from 10 to 50% of the total price. The bulk gets paid upon completion while you hold some payment until you've inspected the work. Anyone demanding full payment upfront before materials arrive is a major risk not a life saver.
Red Flag #4: No Local Reputation or Verifiable References
Google Reviews, BBB ratings, local references. These aren't nice to haves because they're essential research tools.
When you search for roofing companies in your area just check how long they've been in business locally. A company with five years of local history beats someone who just rolled into town and storm chasers (contractors who follow hail damage patterns to just do insurance claim work) often disappear once insurance checks clear, seriously.
Real references tell real stories so ask for contact info from at least three recent customers within 10 miles of your home and call them to ask about the company's communication, cleanup, timeline accuracy, and how the company handled problems. Every project hits snags; what matters is how contractors respond when things go sideways.
Watch for review patterns. One or two complaints happen to everyone and no roofing company has ever had a perfect project, but consistent themes about poor communication, missed deadlines, or incomplete work signal deeper problems. A roofing company with mostly five star reviews with professional responses to legitimate complaints? That's a good sign since no one's perfect.
Though a roofing company with 700 5-star reviews with no 1 through 3 star reviews, look elsewhere since fake reviews aren't uncommon.
Physical office locations matter too. A company with a warehouse, office staff, and local phone numbers demonstrates investment in the community but just a cell phone number and P.O. box? That contractor might not be around when your warranty issue pops up two years later.
Red Flag #5: Pricing That Seems Too Good to Be True
Of course a roof replacement doesn't come free and for an average 2,000-square-foot home a new roof typically runs anywhere from $9,000-$18,000 for architectural shingles, depending on your region, roof complexity, and material quality. Prices vary but extreme outliers raise questions.
Someone quoting $5,000 when everyone else says $12,000? That's a red flag that they're either cutting corners on materials, skipping proper underlayment, hiring inexperienced crews, or planning to hit you with "unforeseen" charges once they've started tearing off your old roof.
Quality materials cost what they cost. Architectural shingles, ice and water shield, proper ventilation, new flashing around chimneys and vents: these aren't optional upgrades but requirements for a roof replacement that's going to last 20-25 years instead of needing repairs in five.
Labor quality matters just as much as materials and an experienced crew can work efficiently without sacrificing attention to detail though they're going to cost more because they know what they're worth. They know how to flash valleys properly, seal penetrations correctly, and align shingles for clean sight lines. Budget crews learn on your roof. Sometimes that education costs you repairs later.
Get at least three written estimates and compare line items, not just bottom lines. The lowest bid isn't always the best value and the highest isn't automatically premium quality. Look for detailed breakdowns from companies that explain their pricing rather than just throwing numbers at you.
What About Warranties?
When you get a roof replacement you'll have two warranties to protect your roof; a manufacturer warranty on just the materials and a workmanship warranty from the roofing company itself on it's work.
Manufacturer warranties vary by product line. Basic three-tab shingles might carry 25 year coverage for any manufacturer defects, while premium architectural shingles can reach 50 years or lifetime ratings. Read the fine print though because many warranties are prorated, meaning coverage decreases over time. Some exclude wind damage or require specific installation methods.
Workmanship warranties cover installation errors, things like leaks from improper flashing, shingles that blow off due to inadequate fastening, or ventilation problems that cause premature deterioration. Solid contractors offer a 5 to 10 year warranty on their work. Anything less suggests they don't trust their own crews.
Getting both warranties in writing as part of your contract is crucial so just make sure you keep copies with your home records. If problems develop then you'll need documentation to make warranty claims.
Timeline Expectations for a Roof Replacement
Most residential roof replacements can take anywhere from 1 to 2 days depending on the size and complexity of the roof alongside the weather at that time. Delays happen and rain stops any progress. Materials arrive late and permit inspections can get rescheduled sometimes but a professional roofing company builds buffer time into schedules and keeps you informed about changes.
Here's a full article on the length of a roof replacement and what to expect.
Material ordering typically happens before the scheduled roof replacement and everything else is sorted out behind the scenes weeks to days before the replacement day is.
During planning discuss how the company handles unexpected discoveries. Sometimes during tear off rotted decking can be revealed or damaged trusses that need repair before new shingles go down. These surprises add cost and time and a good contractor stops work, documents the problem, provide a supplemental estimate, and get your approval before proceeding. If you don't fix something like decking or damaged trusses, you're looking at a voided material warranty, possible 1 quarter the lifespan on the roofing materials and in the worst cases a future roof cave in.
The Permitting Question
Local building departments require permits for most roof replacements and these aren't bureaucratic annoyances; they protect homeowners through mandatory inspections.
Reputable roofing companies handle permit applications and coordinate inspections, they know local code requirements for things like ice dam protection, fire ratings for shingles, and proper ventilation ratios. Skipping permits saves contractors paperwork but leaves you vulnerable. Many insurance companies require permits for coverage claims, and some municipalities fine homeowners for unpermitted work.
If a contractor suggests skipping permits to "save money," that's a red flag wrapped in another red flag, code compliance isn't optional.
What You Should Ask Before Signing
Here's your basic checklist for evaluating any roofing company:
- Can you provide current insurance certificates and license verification?
- How long have you been operating in this area?
- Can you provide three local references from projects completed in the past year?
- What's included in your workmanship warranty, and for how long?
- Do you handle permits and schedule inspections?
- What's your payment schedule?
- How do you protect landscaping and property during work?
- What cleanup procedures do you follow?
- Who supervises the crew working on my roof?
The answers matter less than how they're delivered. Confident professionals answer clearly without hesitation. Evasive responses or irritation at basic questions? Move on.
Making Your Decision
Finding a trustworthy roofing company takes research but it's worth the effort for what you're avoiding by doing your due diligence. Your roof protects everything inside your home. Cheap repairs create expensive problem and rushed decisions lead to regrets.
Take time to vet contractors properly, check credentials, compare detailed estimates, verify references, and trust your instincts about people's professionalism. The right company earns your business through transparency, expertise, and respect for your investment.
When someone checks all the boxes like proper insurance, clear contracts, solid reputation, fair pricing, professional communication, you've found a keeper. When red flags start piling up just keep looking for another company because your home deserves better than a contractor who cuts corners, makes excuses, or vanishes when problems arise.
Smart homeowners protect themselves by doing homework upfront. Make sure you ask questions, demand documentation & don't settle for vague promises or high pressure tactics. Quality work from honest contractors exists and you just need to know what separates professionals from pretenders.
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