How to Vet a Roofer After a Houston Storm

After hail or high wind moves through Houston, trucks, flyers, and door hangers often follow within days. Some of those visitors run solid local businesses. Others travel from storm to storm, sign as many contracts as they can, and become hard to reach once the money is paid.

You do not need to distrust everyone. You do need a short, consistent checklist. The steps below draw on guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), the Texas Attorney General, and the FTC, and they apply to any roofer you are considering, including us.

Warning signs to take seriously

A knock on the door is not proof of a scam. The Texas Attorney General notes that some legitimate repair companies work door to door after storms, and so do con artists (how to avoid home improvement scams). Be cautious when you hear:

• An offer to waive or rebate your deductible, or to fold it into the bid
• Pressure to sign today, or a discount that disappears tomorrow
• A request to sign paperwork before you have seen an estimate
• A demand for full payment, a large deposit, or cash before work starts
• A suggestion that you pull the permit yourself
• Reluctance to leave the contract with you to read overnight

TDI points out that paperwork handed to you before you have an estimate may actually be a contract, so read every page before you sign (TDI tips after Beryl).

Texas deductible rules are not negotiable

Your deductible is your share of a covered loss. TDI explains that Texas law does not let a contractor waive your deductible or help you avoid it, whether through an inflated estimate or a rebate or credit, and that your insurer can ask for proof you paid (TDI: can a contractor waive my deductible?). Proof can be a canceled check, a credit card statement, or a payment plan with the contractor. If someone makes that offer, TDI suggests contacting your insurer first and reporting it to the Attorney General's consumer protection hotline.

TDI also explains that a contractor doing the work cannot act as your adjuster on the same claim or advertise that it will speak for you on coverage (roofing and insurance: know the law). A roofer should document the roof and write a clear scope; the insurer decides what is covered. A promise to "get you a free roof" is a reason to keep looking.

Illustrative photo: reviewing a written contract before signing.

Check the company, not just the salesperson

Before you compare prices, confirm the business itself:

• Local address and phone. TDI suggests using a local company when you can and checking phone numbers and references. The Attorney General recommends a contractor with an established physical address, so you can find them if problems come up later.
• Insurance. TDI suggests asking for the contractor's certificate of insurance and calling the insurer listed on it to confirm coverage. The Attorney General adds that an accident on your property could become your problem if the contractor carries no insurance.
• References and complaints. Call references, read reviews, and check the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
• Written bids. Get more than one, each with the company's name, address, and phone number. Our guide to reading a roofing estimate shows how to compare them line by line.

If you are unsure whether the damage even came from this storm, read wind vs. hail damage and documenting hail damage before you talk numbers.

Read the contract before you sign it

A written contract protects both sides. Make sure yours includes:

• The full scope, materials, start date, and expected completion
• The total price and a payment schedule tied to progress
• Warranty terms in writing; see manufacturer vs. workmanship warranties
• Who obtains the permit
• No blank spaces anywhere

Texas also requires contracts of $1,000 or more that involve an insurance settlement to include a notice that you must pay your deductible. TDI's storm fraud resources also advise against signing any contract that commits your insurance payout to the contractor.

If you sign at home, you generally have time to reconsider. The Attorney General says a contract made at your home must include a notice giving you three business days to change your mind (disaster scams guidance). The FTC's page on the Cooling-Off Rule explains how to cancel in writing and lists exceptions, such as some purchases needed to meet an emergency. Keep a copy of everything you sign, on the day you sign it.

Payment terms that protect you

The Attorney General notes that a partial payment before work starts is normal in many situations, but you should not pay in full until the job is done and you have checked it. After a disaster, special rules generally prevent contractors from outside the area from requiring payment before work begins. Other habits that help:

• Pay by check or credit card so there is a record; avoid cash
• Do not sign a completion certificate until the work and cleanup are finished
• Ask whether the contract creates a lien on your home, and read that section closely
• Keep every receipt, including proof that you paid your deductible

If you need financing, compare it separately from the bid. The Attorney General recommends shopping for financing terms on their own rather than accepting whatever comes bundled with the work. Our financing options comparison and the Houston roof replacement financing page can help you frame those questions.

WorkHorse Roofing is a veteran owned and operated roofer based at 2525 North Loop West in Houston. Call (210) 756-2374 for a free roof check, and feel free to run this same checklist on us.