Best way to deal with roofers after hail storm
We recently had some hail damage and are going to be replacing our roof. Ideally I’d like to screen 3-5 roofers, get quotes, check references, pick one and let them install the roof. Once they are done I would like to write them a check for the full amount.
Although I don’t intend on selecting a roofer from a solicitation, I did talk to a couple of salesman that have been all over our neighborhood after the storm. The first one wouldn’t give me any numbers or a ballpark estimate without looking at my insurance claim. I told him that I want to directly pay whoever I hired, and deal with the insurance company myself, to get back any recoverable depriciation, etc. He (politely) said I may want to go with someone else and walked off.
The second guy was giving me the same story, but after talking a little bit he said getting paid directly wasn’t a problem and meant that he would get paid quicker rather than waiting/messing with the insurance company.
I understand that roofers want to get the most they can from an insurance claim, thats not a big deal. But if every guy I have come out here is going to just quote me the price off of my insurance claim, I am losing that data point to make a comparison between them. I am not trying to make a profit off of my insurance claim, and I don’t need to do any funny business with my deductible for advertising, etc. I just want to keep it simple — in fact I expect to pay more than the claim for better shingles, ridge vent instead of turbines, radiant barrier decking, etc.
I see lots of roofing company websites encouraging customers to let them handle the process but then I’ve seen several forums with roofing contractors griping about insurance companies too. The contract will be between myself and the roofer — am I crazy for wanting to handle it like this or am I being a PITA?
Replies
drh
Well, it depends on who's doing what whether you're a pain in the rear.
If you get a better than average job for a decent price-no , you should.
But, if some insurance company wants to play games with some kind of depreciateion, then they're the one you should give a talking to.
Depreciation? Well, you wouldn't be doing a new roof for 10-15 yrs if it wasn't for a hail storm. Full replacement if that is what it takes, shouldn't be nickel dimed over it's been there 10 yrs....................
And, if you don't want to pay for the "free estimate", then you get what you pay for.
Best of luck.
On the one hand, after a storm you'll get a lot of fly-by-night roofers prowling around. On the other hand, a lot of roofers are used to dealing with insurance companies (kinda like auto body repair places), and can work a better deal for you than if you try to deal with the ins co yourself. After all, if you deal with the ins co, how do you know that they aren't low-balling you?
One thing for sure: Don't deal with anyone that isn't reasonably local.
My understanding is that some of the out-of-town/less than reputable companies will go to the trouble of setting up a local phone number along with related branding/advertisements in order to give the impression that they are local. Being local (and having been local for awhile) is a requirement.
If I am able to do like I want and get quotes from multiple roofers it should be apparent pretty quickly if the insurance company is trying to low ball me. So far I've been mostly pleased with the insurance company -- they have been a little slow but that's understandable based on how busy they are.
I am also happy to pay a resonable fee to have someone come and give me a quote/estimate...
Not only will the stormchasers set up a local office/phone number, they'll often buy out a small but long standing local roofing company. The companies they bought here were 20-30 year old companies with a near retirement age owner/roofer that hadn't planned their retirement properly. Suddenly, a big, fat, cigar smoking white guy with TX license plates and 30 mezcans was a local roofing company. Look at their license plates. If the plates are from out of state, guess what? If they have a salesman that looks like he's never banged a shingle on in his life, they're probably storm chasers. If they suddenly have TV ads (especially if there are hot chicks in them), they're probably storm chasers. If they have big chrome wheels on really pretty pickup trucks, they're probably storm chasers. Good luck.
I'm confused
It's hard to understand why they wouldn't want to work directly for you. Maybe they're concerned about getting paid. Insurance companies are a very, very good risk once they've issued an approved claim. It seems more likely to me that they can sucker you--the unsavvy homeowner--with extras and upgrades, than a seasoned adjuster who is spreading out a lot of work.
Your best bet, if you can wait, is to hire a known, quality outfit after the storm repairs are done. Is your roof leaking, or will it last a few months? Once the freaks that Grant is talking about are gone, hit the phones and find the A-list guys in your market.
There are a few key things to keep in mind- whether to repair storm damage or for any other endeavor.
First off, bin the prejudices. You have no cause to assume anyone - be thay contractor or insurance company- is a crook. Don't try to do their thinking for them.
The next key to a successful transaction is to know what you want. What you want to buy may not be what someone is trying to sell - and there's no shame in moving along.
The next step is to know what's available. Know the facts. What type of roof do you have? What are your appearance standards? What matters to you?
Other facts to consider are: Did you know that all you need to do roofing is a general contractors' license? The guy you hire might be nothing more than a drywall guy that sees a chance for work. Folks, there's a reason it's called a SKILLED trade. Would you hire a roofer to hang sheetrock? Did you know that very few roofing contractors are 'certified' by any manufacturer? Are you aware that roofing practices have changed in the past 15 years? Do you have any leftover shingles from the last roof job?
So, what do you need? Is another storm so likely, the damage so bad, that the repair can't wait until the Fall? Do you want the patch to be permanent- or just to tide you over until a complete re-roof next Spring? Remember, with an older roof, even with shingles saved from the original job, the repair WILL be visible.
One thing is clear: the salesmen who descend on after a storm, like a flock of locusts, are NOT your friends. The real roofers are too busy answering calls from their regular customers to go banging on doors. They know you are smart enough to recognize a damaged roof - and have a number you can call.
If you see damage, your first step is to reduce the damage. Place tarps, apply roof seal, do what you can to keep the damages to a minimum. THEN call your insurance company.
The adjuster 's report will let your agent know what they can do to help you. Mind you, it's your house, and you can do as you wish .... but the agent will tell you what they're willing to toss into the pot. Your agent also can refer you to firms who have done successful work for them in the past. If you picked a marginal insurer, now is when you'll see just how much those premium 'savings' will cost you.
Remember that there are three types of work: good, cheap, and fast. You can pick only two of the three. Also, forget that drivel about competing bids. For the best price, you need to be a proven customer, a supplier of steady work with a record of prompt payment. This is another reason to refer to the list the insurance agent gave you. Rely on the agent's ability to steer/withold customers to keep things in check.
A real contractor has an office. He has equipment- lifts, dumpsters, all manner of things you won't find at Lowes. His guys are trained and certified. He has workmans' comp on them. He has his own liability insurance. His guys tie off, cover the shrubbery, and are certified by the roofing manufacturer. Harry Handyman falls from your roof, he owns your house.
All that comes at a price. Running a business is not cheap, and every regulation makes it harder for the honest guys.
Yeah, unless the damage is severe, consider just glopping up the worst spots (if they're bad enough to cause a leak) and waiting until later to get the roof fixed. Roof "coating" is ugly, but it's cheap and easy to apply, and can buy you 2-3 years if need be before the roof actually needs to be replaced. And often, even though the cosmetic damage is pretty bad, a hail-damaged roof is in no immediate danger of leaking, and nothing at all needs to be done to it while you wait a few months to fix it.
Do, however, get the insurance adjuster to look at the roof (or at least get pictures) before you coat over over it or make other temporary repairs that will conceal the damage.
"Roof "coating" is ugly, but
"Roof "coating" is ugly, but it's cheap and easy to apply, and can buy you 2-3 years if need be before the roof actually needs to be replaced."
BS Dan. Rof COATING is used to extend the life of a good roof and does nothing to repair a bad one. Additionally, it just makes the real roof work more difficult ( read expensive) to accomplish
But we agree it's ugly?
Are you disabled? If so,
Are you disabled?
If so, disregard the following!
Are you simply lazy, stupid, or just filthy rich and come to us poor common folks and want advice on how to screw our fellow workers??. If none of the above, get offen yer high horse, buy a roofing nailer off'e ebay and a ladder at a garage sale or even blowes or holmesdepot and
DIY
edited for emphasis
will you stop ?
not everyone belongs on a roof....
one slip and disaster results...
so much for DIY !
some can, and some can't
Sheesh, Art ol' boy....what Mike said.
Besides, roofing, albeit one of the simpler jobs, does have it's fair share of background skill and knowledge. Tools too... as you point out. It's not for everyone.
I'll also add...........
There are jobs that make more sense to hire out.
Roofing is one of them.
Especially if you can make more doing what you have a talent for in the time it would take you to get the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
This from a dumb carpenter that hired out his own roof when we built the place but did help on the garage (tirelessly or whatever word means I had nothing better to do.................
whall, Scott, Mike, and Cal, I'll shut up.......not ?
Anyway, I did qualify the comment with the disabled disclaimer.....
Over the years have found that it take LESS time to 'just' DIY than the time 'simply' trying to find somebody to do it......AND ya get to keep the tools... and always have the knowledge.
BTW, didja see the history channel episode of 'how states got their shape' on Montana - the guy making guns looked to have the same mill as mine -- gotta go, 6 big black SUVs just pulled up outside and I hear a helicopter <G> .
whall, Junk
if you get the satisfaction, and have the time, and know what you're doing...............etc
then sure, why not.
If you're like me that's not really that enthused about going on the roof and doing it..................
then no, not into it.
Whatever bakes your potato.
I just went through the same process, my insurance company had a "preferred" local contractor that acted as adjustor and did the work if I selected them. I ran a google search on them, looked at there website and checked the BBB. The advantage in using them was a 3 year warranty on the workmanship, all handled by the insurance company. I really wanted to do it myself because I could upgrade all the materials and know it was done right. Being 500 miles from the house complicated things, not being on site while the work was done made me uneasy. I did go with them and made the drive back to inspect the work and settle up. There were some issues but 90 minutes after a phone call to the isurance company I had three trucks in the driveway, everything right by 5 pm. If it's hail damage there is time to find a reputable company and work into their schedule. The best advice I got was from my Dad who told me "don't try to make money off this".
DANGER Will Robinson! Danger!
We had a bad hail storm in the Lehigh Valley last year.
Within a week three new roofing companies appeared. Every one had local numbers and Licenses.......but when the salesmen came around all had plates from other parts of the country.
One in particular reroofed almost half the roofs in my neighborhood.
The prices was right and the company worked directly with the insurance company and only billed the home owners for work not covered by the insurance company.
My neighbors all asked if I was getting a roof and scoffed when I said "Hell No!".
None of the crews that showed up to do the work were local or spoke english. lots of smaller details were "overlooked", roofs leak, gutters are pitched wrong, ect, ect,..............................................
And all three companies?
gone. Numbers disconnected, offices closed........
We had hail storms here a few years back so I will share the experince. First out of state companies moved in and went pretty much door to door in some neighborhoods. The local companies quickly caught on and started getting their own crews of out of state non-english speaking workers to fill the demand. From what I saw these guys worked hard and did a good job for most of the companies. My biggest gripe was watching any of the roofing crews lay down shingles on bright sunny 90 degree days. I am sure some of those new roofs had less granuales on those new shingles than the hail damaged ones they stripped off.
prices for a new roof doubled quickly in this area. All contractors customer service went into the toilet with the excessive demand. The out of state companies have moved on long ago and it is just the local companies and some of the imported crews they hired that are left. Prices are coming down to normal levels now. Moral of that story is get your insurance money now and do roof at last minute to get better price, we have 2 years to get work done and still recover all the deprciated value of the roof.
This winter we had major ice dams. all roofs leaked like crazy. Many people/customers I know had new roofs and major leaking. They are all upset because they were told that Ice shield would prevent this (indeed I also thought this). One of the out of state companies seemed to have the right formula when they did their roofs as the sales pitch was "we do 6' of ice shield" and as a result, most roofs done by that company did not leak from dams. That same company was also famous for not hooking up bath vent ductwork again to the roof vent and letting it blow into the attic.
Oh ya get them to commit to a timeline on the roof. People waited 8-9 months from the time the roofing company got the first insurance check.
Hi,
About six years ago my home town was hit by hurricane Wilma, within days of the power being back on the roofing supply shops were filled with littlerally hundreds of new faces lined up to buy matierials. Now, Miami is big but you get to know the regulars. I will say, a few of the companies that came in did a good job, but many did not. In fact, a very good percentage of my current business is from the storm chasers that came in and did a bad job. I would recommend if at all possible stay with a reputable local roofer.
Hiring a Roofer
I would recommend letting the roofing company handle their own work and having you handle the insurance claim. When they find out how much money they are getting for the job they can keep most of it and do a poor job. Ask around your network for roofing companies who have done previous work.
Sam
http://www.keepingyoudryroofing.com/
This past year, I did two roofs, DIY, my personal residence and an investment property. Both houses are about 1100 square feet with no dormers, just a straight line roof (one has a chimney).
I got estimates from a few roofers and they came in about $5000 per roof.
None of the estimators went into my attic to look at the decking.
I decided to do it myself with contract labor, bought a RoofPro 450 gun off ebay.
I started with the porch roof on my house. After ripping off 3 layers of shingles, I found rotten decking and broken rafters. I ended up replacing all the decking and 3 rafters. I wonder if that would have been included in the roofer's estimate, or if it would have been a gotcha add on once the roof was off and I had no choice but to keep going.
The main roof on my house had pretty good decking, but did have to be patched in quite a few places.
On my investment property, I had to replace about 30-40% of the decking, and there again, I wonder if it would have been included or added to the original estimate (or worse, not addressed at all and simply shingled over).
I spent about $8000 on both roofs, and assuming the decking replacement would not have been included in the original quotes, I believe I saved maybe 4 grand.
That being said, I bought all the supplies and hauled all the waste off to the landfill in my pickup truck (probably 10 trips) and spent at least 6 full weekends on the labor.
So my advice is this: Be prepared to spend some money, there's just no way to do it right on the cheap. And make sure the estimator goes in your attic and gives you an idea of what any decking replacement will cost if it's needed.
there is a name for people who go after homes when there has been a hail storm or big storm. I read all about these “storm chases” on this blog (http://hsroofing.com/index.php/our-company/roofing-blog/storm-damage-bbb-warns-homeowners-about-storm-chasers/) BBB warns against people like that so beware.
there are roofing contractors who will not talk about insurance companies. as iam a roofer. and i dont know were you got this information but i will go throgh this blog you mentioned (http://hsroofing.com/index.php/our-company/roofing-blog/storm-damage-bbb-warns-homeowners-about-storm-chasers/
I hope these roofers got dealt with.
I certainly hope this roof got fixed sometime back in ought eleven.
My experience is ...
My experience with my insurance company on claims is that they have been very fair if not darn right generous. If this is the case then I beleive some contractors know that they DO NOT HAVE TO BE competitive with other contractors and just take the higher figure teh insurance company offers. This is my guess as to what is going on here. By asking to take care of the bill yourself, the contractor knows he has to compete for your business. So he mores on to more lucritive (spelling) insurance business.
I think it is pretty crapy. I also think it is interesting how people think Exxon is screwing them when they make a 6% margin, but think it is just doing business for a contractor, service provider, ets. to play loss with insurance companies, or take advantage of people who don't know what is going on. No offense to anyone here. I am sure all here are honest. I just know my experience.
A good roofer can be your friend vs. the insurance co.
Some years ago, I had raccoon damage to a portion of my roof, Snake Farm only wanted to replace the damaged area despite the fact that the roof was at the end of its life.
My roofer, owner of a long time company, found raccoon damage on 3 of the 4 sides of the roof and negotiated directly with the insurance company, who ended up tripling the settlement offer.
That offer turned out to be about $400.00 short of what he had bid to replace the entire roof. Yes, he got the job, he earned it.
+1 to those who say that an established roofer can be a valuable aide.
Insurance companies often have a list of reccommended contractors. Does yours?
Good luck.
Scaffolders Insurance
You should always check who the roofer you are employings insurer is. Either ask them or check their website for details.
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