When you hear the term “storm chasers” you likely think about the movie Twister and the excitement of chasing tornadoes across the plains. But there’s a different breed of “storm chasers” out there – the kind that prey on people whose roofs have been wrecked once the skies clear. Also referred to as “roofing gypsies” or “twister grifters,” these groups are highly publicized, and yet folks all over ravaged counties still fall prey to them each year. They are well-practiced in tracking weather reports and waiting to see where the news reports the most damage, and they know that insurance companies will give the all-clear for roof replacements in these areas. After the storm, a new flurry takes place: these scammers will hand out leaflets throughout the county – often showing up unannounced – and even offer free inspections.
Because they understand how insurance companies work, these crews will figure out the cost of installing a cheap new roof based upon the square footage. That sounds good, right? Cheap is always helpful – but not when the crew does the bare minimum amount of work required to properly repair the roof, doesn’t bother to address leaks or other issues, or even bother to restore the roof to its original condition. Before the homeowner can even begin the first step of correcting the situation, the twister grifters have completely vanished – there and gone just like the storm.
So how can you avoid being scammed if your roof has been damaged by a storm?
- RESEARCH! Most of these crews do not have a valid license, nor do they hold insurance (though they will say they do). Ask to see proof of such before agreeing to any inspection or work.
- Make sure to contact a legitimate building department or licensing agency in your city should you get this information from the person or team presenting themselves to you.
- Pay a visit to the roofer’s office. It’s a red flag if they do not have an actual location they operate from or if they only list a P.O. Box on any card or flier they give you.
- If you can get a list of previous (preferably local) customers from them, visit the sites mentioned so you can see if they are genuine references or random locations – also, to see the quality of work if the locations are actual homes.
Cleanup and repair after a storm is nothing short of stressful, especially when strangers start flocking and harassing you about repairs before you can even catch your breath. The best way to minimize this will be to stick with an established, respectable company. St. Louis Roofing and Renovation has been a fixture in the community for nearly 30 years, and they are no stranger to the damage left in the wake of nasty weather. Their caliber of work matches their reputation – leaving your repair needs in their hands means results you can trust, and a roof that will be leak- and problem-free.