After a significant hailstorm, it’s common to see a wave of door-knockers offering roof inspections within days. Some are legitimate traveling crews doing honest work. Others — often called storm chasers — set up shop temporarily, do rushed or subpar work, and are gone before problems show up.
A few questions help tell them apart. Do they have a permanent local address and a business history you can verify, not just a P.O. box or a truck with out-of-state plates? Are they licensed and insured in your state specifically, not just generally? Will they put their warranty in writing, and does that warranty come from a company that’s likely to still exist in five years to honor it?
It’s also worth being cautious of anyone pressuring you to sign a contract on the spot, or offering to waive your insurance deductible — the latter is illegal in most states and a red flag on its own. A legitimate local contractor should be comfortable with you taking a day to think it over, getting a second opinion, or checking their reviews and BBB rating before committing.