You may have heard the term “storm chasers” when it comes to meteorologists, but have you heard of them in the contracting and roofing industry? It’s the same concept: storm chasers are businesses that follow large storms that cause exterior home damage.
These contractors show up to affected areas directly after a storm rolls through. Often, as homeowners are surveying the damage from the storm, the “storm chasing” companies show up and try to give the impression that they work with your insurance company.
Homeowners who have never been through this situation before and are still processing the devastation caused to their yard and home can easily fall victim to these scams. Storm chasers arrive at a moment of stress and present themselves as advocates proposing solutions to make the repairs as they walk the homeowners through the claims process. But here’s what is really happening: they prey on the devastating emotions and trauma caused by the storm damage by promising a quick fix. However, as in most cases, a quick fix is not the best option, especially when it comes to the safety of your home.
Why You Should Avoid Storm Chasers
While it might seem like a great idea to have readily available contractors after a storm to get your repairs done, storm chasers are just after your insurance check and do not have a great track record of properly and soundly repairing homes. Storm chasers typically use lower-quality products with no warranty, and then leave your area to chase the next big storm, with no promise of continued support. Needless to say, most storm-chasing companies don’t have your best interest in mind. Dealing with the aftermath of a storm as a homeowner is stressful enough. Don’t cause yourself future issues by hiring storm chasers.
4 Tips for Hiring a Roofing Company After a Storm
Now that you know who not to hire, you may be wondering what to do when you want to find a reputable contracting company. Here are our four tips on what you should do before hiring a contracting company to repair your roof after a storm:
- First things first, do your research. Check the company’s Google reviews, social media accounts, and anything else you can find on them from searching the internet. Make sure they have happy customers before agreeing to work with them!
- Check the contracting company’s licensing to make sure they are licensed to work in your area.
- Ensure the contracting company offers a warranty on their work and uses quality products.
- Don’t feel rushed to hire a company. When choosing the right contractor to repair your home’s damage, feel free to take all the time you need.
Your Local Wisconsin Contracting Company
When looking for a roofing company, you’ll want to find someone who is familiar with the insurance process, can handle the work needed, and is preferably local. A local roofer will be there for the long haul if you need anything in the future. They know your community and provide locals with quality service daily.
Be sure to take your time finding a quality roofing company after a storm instead of giving in to a storm chaser’s promises.
Big Fish Contracting is well-versed in navigating insurance claims and is always ready to evaluate damage and provide a professional estimate to help you move forward with repairing your home! We know that repairs come with many questions, and we’re happy to help. Reach out to us for guidance on repairing your roof and to partner with the most trusted contractor in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties!
Have questions about hail damage insurance claims? Check out our blog on everything you need to know about hail damage claims!
