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Beware of Texas Storm Chasers: 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer

Storm season is well under way in Central and South Texas, but we are not in the clear just yet. We have already experienced storms that brought high winds, lightning, and hail big enough to fill the palm of your hand.

The phones at Tomlin Roofing have not stopped ringing this storm season, and unfortunately we hear roofing horror stories all too often. It’s never too late for a public service reminder — do your research! Fully vet your roofing company before you start residential or commercial roof repairs.

Beware of Storm Chasers

Storm season is an opportune time for unscrupulous business, or storm chasers, to take advantage of an urgent situation. You’ve heard of “Storm Chasers” being used to describe those brazen individuals attempting to get video or data on storms despite the obvious dangers. (Remember the movie “Twister?”) But in this case, the term “storm chasers” is used to describe roofing companies and other contractors that conveniently show up just after a big storm, do a sub-par job, and then disappear into thin air. It happens all the time all over the country.

Vet Your Roofing Company

How can you avoid a roofing nightmare of your own? Here are five questions you should always ask your roofing company prior to signing any agreements or starting work on your property.

1. Proof of Insurance

Are you insured? Prove it! Your roofing company needs to have workman’s compensation and liability insurance at a minimum. Without a certificate of insurance, if one of the workers falls off of your roof or gets injured on your property, then you the homeowner will be responsible for any medical and other costs associated with the accident. Homeowner’s policies may not cover the costs, and there are different levels of insurance required in each state. You can search your state with the query: STATE + roofing insurance requirements. Always ask up front if the roofing company is insured, and then ask to see proof.

2. Legal Business Licence

What is your legal business name? This answer can tell you a lot. If the company hesitates or is unclear, it is a red flag and could indicate a potential scam. If their legal name is different from their marketed name, that information should be relatively easy to confirm online.

3. Interior Inspection

Does the estimator need to come inside my house? If the answer is no, that could indicate a less-than-thorough inspection and repair. Estimators should inspect your ceiling and attic space. If this preliminary step is not taken, you could be faced with thousands of dollars of upcharges on install day. A quality roofer will want to inspect your ceiling and attic space for interior damage. Tomlin Roofing believes all estimates should be thorough and free.

4. Roofing Subcontractors

Do you use roofing subcontractors? If their answer is yes, then you will need to ask these same questions of the contractor they hire. Your roofing company may be insured and licensed, but it does not guarantee their policies cover additional contractors. In fact, if a contractor hires a sub, then they don’t have to pay for workman’s comp, which is a huge money-saver. All Tomlin team members are licensed and insured.

5. Roof Warranty

Does the roofing work come with a warranty? The answer should be yes! Ask the company how long they guarantee the work. Most companies will extend a one-year warranty, but some offer longer ones. After a roof replacement, a Tomlin Roofing professional will inspect all completed work to ensure it was properly performed. Tomlin offers homeowners an extended a 5-year workmanship warranty.

6. Below-Market Bid

Recently KSAT 12 offered tips to all homeowners suffering from hail and storm damage. KSAT suggested that if a company has a drastically lower bid and then asks for a seemingly large deposit upfront, then there is reason to be suspicious. If it sounds too good to be true, trust your instinct. Get one or two more estimates from reputable companies for comparison.

Vet Your Roofing Company

Tomlin is a trusted name in the greater San Antonio community. Tomlin Roofing is owned and operated by Robert Yuras, a third-generation roofer. He and his wife, Aubrey, along with their experienced roofing team are dedicated to quality and customer service. Tomlin uses only the highest quality brands including CertainTeed and Owens Corning.

Tomlin Roofing has a solid reputation and numerous client testimonials so you can feel confident knowing you hired the right roofing contractor. Our happy customers are our best advocates. Check out this real customer review of Tomlin Roofing on Facebook from our client Missy.

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