A storm chaser is a contractor who travels to areas that have been affected by storms in order to solicit business for roofing repairs or roof replacements. These contractors may knock on doors or make cold calls to homeowners, offering their services in the wake of a storm. While some storm chasers may be legitimate contractors who are looking to help homeowners repair their roofs, others may be less reputable and may use high-pressure sales tactics or make unrealistic promises in order to secure business.
Homeowners should be cautious when dealing with roofing storm chasers, as some may not have the necessary licenses, insurance, or experience to do the work properly. In addition, some storm chasers may not be local and may not be familiar with local building codes or materials that are suitable for the area. If you are in need of roofing repairs or replacement after a storm, it is generally a good idea to do your research and choose a reputable, local contractor who has a proven track record of quality workmanship. Don’t be rushed into making a decision, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and request references before hiring a contractor.
Poor Quality Workmanship
Some storm chasers may not have the necessary skills or experience to do the work properly, resulting in poor-quality repairs or installations. Most storm chasers don’t have any certifications, licenses, permits, or references to back up their services. Without documentation, there’s no legitimate way to gauge their skills and experience. They could be a group of random, inexperienced handymen looking to make a quick buck.
Unforeseen Project Delays
Lack of Accountability
If a storm chaser does shoddy work or fails to complete a job, it can be difficult to hold them accountable, as they may have already moved on to another location. Most storm chasers are unlicensed, uninsured rookies. If you hire one, and they get into an accident while working on your roof, you’ll be held liable. Depending on the gravity of the situation, you could end up having to pay thousands of dollars for medical bills alone. Never work with unlicensed contractors, no matter how cheap their services may be or how slick their pitch.
Another solid reason why you shouldn’t work with a storm chaser is they don’t offer any form of warranty. Even factories would nullify their warranty policies if their products were installed improperly or misused. So, if your storm chasers do a poor job, you won’t have anywhere to turn.
Unscrupulous Business Practices
Some storm chasers don’t even intend to replace or repair your roofing in the first place. Their only goal is to collect down payment fees from different homeowners. Now, you might think that this kind of scam is easy to spot. Of course, storm chasers know that customers will be wary of their offers, as well. That’s why they try to convince clients by pitching some kind of too-good-to-be-true deal. Often, they’ll offer a deal that’s better than an insurance claim. The storm chaser will then capitalize on the devastated homeowner’s emotions and trick them into shelling out money.
It is important to be cautious when dealing with roofing storm chasers and to do your research before hiring a contractor. Choose a reputable, local roofing contractor who has a proven track record of quality workmanship, and don’t be rushed into making a decision. If you are in need of roof replacement or roof repairs after a storm, it is important to be cautious when dealing with roofing storm chasers and to do your research before hiring a contractor. Choose a reputable, local contractor like Hosteller Roofing, and don’t be rushed into making a decision. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and let us get your roof back in top condition.