How to Observe a Storm Chaser

By Michael Wooledge
When a sizable hailstorm hits, akin the one that happened here in San Antonio in November, it seems like roofing contractors come out of the woodwork, but in what way or manner do you know when the pact they furnish is "too excellent to be bona fide?"

"Storm chasers," as they are known in the business, journey 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 patching up blemished homes and fly right back out when the next storm comes along. In the event this happens, where does it leave the homeowner when their roof leaks in two months? Well, not similarly high and dry, closer to mad and wet!

To certify you don't end up one of those exasperated consumers, here are a few tips on how to make out a "Storm Chaser".

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

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

Next, let's tackle the insurance cases. Always have your own insurance house send out an adjuster to analyze 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 establishment would. This can be a costly mistake for any homeowner. If a partnership offers to complete work on your home at a discounted price and charge your insurance partnership a different amount, they are committing insurance fraud. As a homeowner, this can land you in hot water as well. Many celebrated companies can and do offer rebates or coupons. nonetheless, you will be charged and expected to pay strictly what their estimate says, only receiving the rebate once the work has been finished.

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