If your area has been hit by a storm, you may have had people knocking at your door offering to fix your roof at prices lower than local roofing companies offer. These people are called “storm chasers,” and while their offers can be tempting, think twice. In today’s post, Ritco Group, Inc. shares insight on why storm chasers are more trouble than they’re worth.
What Are Storm Chasers?
Storm chasers can be considered contractors, in the broadest sense of the word. They follow severe weather events, then offer immediate repairs to homeowners with damaged roofs, usually before the homeowner has had a chance to call their insurance provider or local roofing contractor. For the inexperienced homeowner, this may sound like a quick and easy solution to a sudden problem. However, in most instances, that is where the benefits end.
The Risks of Hiring Storm Chasers
One of the key characteristics of storm chasers is they will try to pressure prospective clients into hiring them then and there, which can leave you vulnerable to certain risks:
- You won’t have the opportunity to research their background. Storm chasers take advantage of homeowners who need repairs in the quickest way possible that they hire the first roofer that comes along. The problem with this is it would skip key parts of the hiring process, including license and insurance verification, so there wouldn’t be an opportunity to check the contractor’s legitimacy.
- Warranty coverage would be minimal to none. Storm chasers are known for quick but substandard work. Their repair work may look legitimate, but continued exposure to the elements will reveal their workmanship quality before long. Storm chasers may offer some kind of warranty on paper, but you probably won’t be able to reach them if you need after-sales support.
- Your insurer may not pay for the repair work. Most insurance providers require an estimate from a roofer and, if approved, will draw a downpayment check before the repairs can begin. Storm chasers want to skip this step altogether because it leaves a paper trail, and because insurance providers do their due diligence and make sure they pay out to legitimate contractors. Repairs performed by a storm chaser means filing a claim after the fact, which is more likely to be denied.
For best results, work with your insurance provider and a trusted roofer. Learn more about what Ritco Group, Inc. can do for you and your roof by giving us a call at (931) 381-0175. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve communities in Columbia, Franklin and Brentwood, TN.