hail storm damage

[gunsmith11]

have hail storm damage,,,what a drag,,about a thousand roofers are calling, sending mail flyers,,calling,,,I know i need a new roof but who do you pick

 

[mississippi revolverman]

After a hurricane here in Fla the roofers come out from under rocks. Some legit most bogus. My recommendation get a written quote. Deal only with a licensed contractor. Check his license history out. Here in Fla you can do that online and see # complaints suspensions etc.

Last don't fall for the deposit up front. A partial deposit for material is understandable but NEVER pay for labor in advance. Make sure the quote/ agreement has a start date and estimated complete day. Hold back 10% pending final inspection and proof of no leaks.

Hope you the best

 

[n4zov]

Everything mississippi revolverman said plus talking with neighbors who have had roofing work done before. Find a roofer who was in business before the damage occurred and who will be in business after all the roofs have repaired.

It won't hurt to contact the Better Business Bureau, but my experience with them has been unsatisfactory so don't depend on them for unbiased reports.

 

[Forester]

Good advice above. I would add using a local contractor with local references and ask if you can look at their previous work.

 

[m1gunner]

If they do not have a valid business license issued by your local county, they do not exist.

If they aren't listed in last year's yellow pages, they probably are bogus.

Also check their insurance references, as in workman's comp insurance. They should be able to provide verifyable proof that they have coverage.

 

[Silver77]

I checked three with BBB. One, a long time Round Rock contractor, had two complaints (he does heavy remolding and not just roofs), one used the BBB symbol on his flier but the BBB denied he was a member, and the third was clean (gives a $250 gift card you can use anywhere) and has been in business for a long number of years.

 

[gunsmith11]

Have two companies doing the estimate,,both are a little high pressure but i expect that, waiting on insurance company to come inspect. I really dont care who does it, will probably be dead before the next big storm, but at the same time have to cover my A**

 

[fiasconva]

I had hailstorm damage years ago and had a ton of companies dropping by my house. I checked them out with the BBB and got them competing against each other for my business. You'd be surprised at how much they will knock off their estimates if they know someone will do it cheaper.

 

[klondike]

I used to wonder why my Father moved to the Pacific NW after his discharge from the army in 1946. There are times when the gray skies drive even the natives nuts. My Uncle who still lives in Texas described a hailstorm that destroyed my cousins house and almost killed her and the family. They found shelter in a closet with piles of clothing over their heads.
After that story the rain did not seem too bad - drizzle rarely kills you.

 

[Class III]

Check to make sure that the contractor has workers comp and liability insurance. Have the contractor have his insurance company fax <span class="ev_code_RED">AND MAIL</span> you a certificate of insurance showing you as an ADDITIONAL INSURED past the estimated completion date of the work. Do not accept the contractor's word that they have WC and liability coverage. GET THE CERTIFICATE MAILED TO YOU FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. Once you get the certificate, CALL the insurance company, their phone # will be listed on the certificate, and verify the info on the certificate of insurance. Ask if the contractor intends to sub-contract the labor and get another certificate from the sub's insurance company, again listing you as an additional insured past the expected completion date. If a contractor's employee or sub is injured on your property and the employer or sub does not carry WC you are liable for the medical and lost wages until the employee returns to work no matter how long they are off work. And no, your homeowner's policy will probably not cover you if someone gets hurt while doing "For Hire" work on your home.

Class III

 

[m1gunner]

Originally posted by Class III:
Check to make sure that the contractor has workers comp and liability insurance. Have the contractor have his insurance company fax <span class="ev_code_RED">AND MAIL</span> you a certificate of insurance showing you as an ADDITIONAL INSURED past the estimated completion date of the work. Do not accept the contractor's word that they have WC and liability coverage. GET THE CERTIFICATE MAILED TO YOU FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. Once you get the certificate, CALL the insurance company, their phone # will be listed on the certificate, and verify the info on the certificate of insurance. Ask if the contractor intends to sub-contract the labor and get another certificate from the sub's insurance company, again listing you as an additional insured past the expected completion date. If a contractor's employee or sub is injured on your property and the employer or sub does not carry WC you are liable for the medical and lost wages until the employee returns to work no matter how long they are off work. And no, your homeowner's policy will probably not cover you if someone gets hurt while doing "For Hire" work on your home.

Class III

You said it better than I did. Roofing work is in the top 5 of the most dangerous jobs in the US. Police work isn't in the top 10.

Every roofer I know that has been doing it for more than 10 years has fallen off at least once. Don't let it be on your dime.

 

[1968hawkeye]

Besides what has already been said, I'd make sure that you actually have roof damage that needs to be fixed. My brother-in-law lives south of Atlanta and they got hit with hail recently. The roofers descended on his neighborhood like a swarm of locusts telling everyone that they needed their roof replaced. Many people did just that when they didn't need to.

Hawkeye

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Safest method is one who will agree to be paid after you get the money from insurance company and will accept what insurance company pays you plus deductible. I lost my roof in Ike after it was previously damaged by hail and roofer wanted $32,000+, but insurance company settled with them for $20,711 so that is all that I owe and insurance company paid me that much less the deductible. Also be sure that contract says that roofer only gets amounts paid direct and specific to replacing the roof, no overhead, profit or indirect items. Good luck.

The point about insurance is well taken. Non-citizens can still sue.

 

[pberry]

Two years ago I had the same problem. I went to the local Lumber supply store. Not Home Depot or any chain store, the local guy. I knew him personally, just like most everyone else around this area knows him. I asked him who to get. He gave me a name, and phone number to call. He had to have his roof replaced also and he said this is the man he would use. It worked. He did a great job, on time, on price.
Even the chain stores may know who to call. They know who will pay their bill on time and won't skip out on anyone.
Good luck
Phil