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How to Pay for a Roof When You Can't Afford It
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.
After severe weather, storm chasing roofing companies flood damaged areas with aggressive tactics and false promises. Learn how to identify legitimate contractors, avoid insurance fraud schemes, protect your roof replacement investment, and spot common scams. Get practical tips on verifying credentials, understanding fair pricing, and choosing the right roofing company for your storm damage repairs.
Understanding Storm Chasing Roofing Companies
Storm chasers aren't just people who chase tornadoes. In the roofing industry they're the contractors who follow any sort of severe weather patterns that could possibly qualify someone for a roof replacement and show up in damaged neighborhoods within days. Unfortunately due to their rush they may pressure homeowners into quick decisions with some being legitimate enough to replace the roof, though rushed, and some not.
Here's what separates the professionals from the scammers though, a legitimate roofing company does quality work, stands behind their warranties, and will be there years from now when you need them. Storm chasers tend to collect your money, do substandard work (if they finish at all), then disappear to the next storm damaged town.
The difference matters more than you think. A bad roof replacement can cost you $15,000 to $25,000 in additional repairs down the road, not to mention potential insurance complications and structural damage to your home.
1. Verify They Have an Actual Local Business
First let's start with the basics. Real roofing companies have physical locations not just a P.O. boxes or out of state address.
When someone knocks on your door offering roof replacement services just ask for their business address then actually look it up. Pull out your phone right there and search the address. If the business exist at that location and could see it from the street view they clearly are there, then that's one boxed checked.
Check their phone number too. Is the area code local or from three states away? Storm chasers often use temporary phone numbers that disconnect after storm season ends.
Also make sure you look for how long they've been in business. A company operating in your area for five, ten, or fifteen years isn't going anywhere because they've got a reputation to protect. On the other hand the fly by night roofing company that showed up last Tuesday? Not so much.
2. Demand Proof of Licensing, Bonding, and Insurance Before They Touch Your Roof
Here's the thing about licenses and insurance. They're not optional extras they're legal requirements that protect you from liability.
Every legitimate roofing company should provide:
- Current state contractor's license that you can verify with your state licensing board
- General liability insurance with a minimum of $1m in protection
- Workers compensation insurance which protects YOU if someone gets injured on your property, yes, you could be held 100% liable.
- Bonding that guarantees they'll complete the job
Most legitimate roofing company may hand you a photocopy which is 100% okay, if you want to go the extra mile feel free to call the insurance company directly and verify the policy is active. This can takes five minutes and could save you thousands in liability if a worker falls off your roof.
Storm chasers skip these requirements because licenses and insurance cost money and they're betting you won't check, because 99% of homeowners don't.
3. Recognize High Pressure Sales Tactics (They're All Red Flags)
Storm chasing roofing companies use urgency as a weapon. They want you to sign today, right now, before you have time to think or get other estimates.
Common pressure tactics include:
- "We're only in the area today" (Translation: we're leaving town before you realize the work is terrible)
- "Sign now for a special discount" (There is no discount)
- "We have leftover materials from another job" (Those materials might be damaged or don't actually exist)
- "Your insurance claim will expire if you don't act immediately" (False. You typically have one year max)
A professional roofing company gives you time to make an informed decision. They want you to compare estimates, check references, and feel confident in your choice. Scammers want you rattled and rushed.
If someone's pushing you to sign a contract on the spot, that's your cue to walk away.
4. Get Multiple Written Estimates (And Actually Compare Them)
Never hire a roofing company based on one estimate. Get at least three written quotes from different contractors.
Here's what a legitimate roof replacement estimate should include:
- Detailed scope of work (tear off, disposal, new installation)
- Specific materials listed (brand, style, color of shingles)
- Square footage being replaced
- Labor costs broken down
- Timeline for completion (typically 1-3 days for average homes)
- Warranty information (both manufacturer and workmanship)
- Total project cost
For a typical single family home, expect roof replacement costs between $10,000 and $16,000, depending on your home's size, roof pitch, and material quality. Prices significantly below this range should raise suspicion.
Just make sure you compare the estimates side by side. If one bid is 40% lower than the others, ask why. Are they using inferior materials? Cutting corners on underlayment? Planning to skip proper ventilation installation?
The cheapest bid often becomes the most expensive roof replacement when you factor in repairs from shoddy work.
5. Understand the Insurance Claim Process (And Avoid Deductible Fraud)
Of course insurance deductibles cost money though storm chasers love offering to "waive your deductible" or "pay your deductible for you."
That's insurance fraud, Plainly.
When a roofing company pays your deductible, they're inflating the insurance claim to cover that cost. In this situation your insurance company is being overcharged and you're actively participating in fraud whether you realize it or not. If discovered your claim can be denied and your policy canceled and you possibly blacklisted or prosecuted from the insurance company.
Your deductible exists for a reason and it's your portion of the repair cost. For roof replacement after storm damage deductibles typically range from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on your policy.
Now some insurance companies also set deductibles by the percentage of the home's value.
The proper insurance process works like this: Your insurance adjuster inspects the damage, approves the claim, and issues payment. The roofing company does the work. You pay your insurance check directly to the contractor. Any company that suggests another arrangement is steering you toward fraud.
Contact your insurance company directly before signing anything with a contractor just so you understand what's covered, what your deductible is, and what the claim process looks like.
6. Research Online Reviews, References, and Complaint History
Who would've thought the internet would make it this easy to spot scammers?
Check multiple review sources:
- Google Business reviews
- Better Business Bureau
- Local contractor boards
- Neighborhood social media groups
Read both positive and negative reviews. A few complaints aren't necessarily disqualifying because no one has every gotten every project done perfectly but look for any patterns. Multiple reviews mentioning the same issues? That's a real problem.
Be wary of companies with only five star reviews from brand new accounts. Storm chasers create fake review profiles while legitimate companies have a mix of ratings with 4 to 5 stars for the most and detailed reviews from real customers.
Ask the roofing company for references from recent jobs in your area and if you'd like actually call those references. Ask them things like quality, timeline, cleanup, and whether they'd hire the company again for another roof replacement.
What Legitimate Roofing Company Actually Looks Like
Alright, let's talk about realistic timelines and costs so you know what to expect.
A standard residential roof replacement takes 1-2 days for most homes while larger or more complex roofs might take 3-4 days. Weather delays happen so anyone promising to complete a quality roof replacement in a few hours is simply lying.
Material delivery typically happens 5-10 days after signing a contract but heavily depending on supply availability and your shingle selection.
The entire process from estimate to completion can usually spans 1-2 weeks. Storm chasers promise faster timelines because they're not actually ordering quality materials or following proper installation procedures.
Your Next Steps After Storm Damage
Here's your action plan when storm damage hits:
First make sure you document all damage with photos and videos. Second contact your insurance company to file a claim. Third get multiple estimates from local and licensed roofing companies. Fourth, verify credentials and check references. Fifth, compare estimates carefully before making a decision.
Don't let anyone pressure you into quick decisions. Your roof is one of your home's most critical systems. A quality roof replacement protects your investment for 20-30 years. A scammer's work might not last through the next storm season.
Take your time. Check credentials. Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a contractor, it probably is.
The right roofing company will give you space to make an informed decision, provide detailed documentation, and stand behind their work long after the job is complete. That's what separates professionals from storm chasers.
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