Watch out for Storm Chasers!

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating – stay away from Storm Chasers when it comes to roofing!

The weather has changed and roofing companies are back at work installing new roofs on homes across the area that were damaged last summer. But they aren’t the only ones back at work – so are the door-to-door storm chasers.

Typically, a “storm chaser” will focus on a geographic area that was hit by severe storms. Last summer was particularly rough for the Omaha metro area, with a significant number of home sustaining hail damage to roofs. A large number of those roofs weren’t replaced before winter, and storm chasers are hoping to take advantage of anxious homeowners.

We can appreciate that you are anxious to get your roof replaced, especially if you have been waiting for a few months, and you may be inclined to look for a “good deal”. We strongly advise you to consider avoiding a storm chaser that is promising a low price – it may end up costing you in the long run!

Storm chasers are known for doing a rush job on roofs and as a result, its not done well and you will find your self in a need of repairs, or possibly a new roof, in a few short years. We’ve even heard stories of homeowners paying companies for a roof, and they never show up to do the work and the home owner is out the money.

So who can you trust to replace your roof? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Most important, hire a local, trusted business. It’s even better to choose a company you have heard of or that has been referred to you
  • Watch out for door-to-door salesman. Storm chasers often canvas a neighborhood in a vehicle with out of state license plates.
  • Be wary of a roofer that asks for your insurance money up front. Most reliable, local companies won’t ask for money until the job is completed.
  • A local, reliable company will be here in the coming months and years if you should need repairs – a storm chaser will be long gone by that point.
  • It never hurts to check with Better Business Bureau before agreeing to work with any company.

Your home is your largest investment, so don’t trust just anyone with something as important as a roof.