How do I verify a roofing contractor is licensed and insured?

Ask for their business license or contractor registration number and a certificate of insurance showing both general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Verify the insurance is active by calling the carrier listed on the certificate directly — don't rely on the certificate alone. Licensing requirements vary by state: some states require a statewide contractor license, while others regulate at the city or county level. The NRCA and your state's contractor licensing board can help you confirm requirements in your area.

What are the biggest red flags when hiring a roofer after a storm?

The top red flags are: offering to waive your insurance deductible (this is fraud in most states), demanding full payment before starting work, pressuring you to sign a contract immediately, having no verifiable local address or business history, and refusing to provide a written contract with scope, timeline, and warranty terms. FEMA warns homeowners about these patterns after every major disaster.

Should I get multiple roofing estimates after storm damage?

Yes — get at least three estimates from different licensed contractors. Compare not just price, but materials specified (brand, warranty rating, impact resistance class), scope of work (does it include decking, flashing, ventilation?), timeline, and workmanship warranty terms. Legitimate estimates typically fall within 10-20% of each other. An estimate dramatically lower than others usually means corners are being cut on materials or scope.

Can a roofing contractor waive my insurance deductible?

No. In most states, offering to waive or absorb your insurance deductible is considered insurance fraud. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) warns that deductible waivers artificially inflate claims and can result in your policy being voided. In Texas, it is a criminal offense under the Texas Insurance Code. Any contractor who offers this should be avoided.

What is the difference between a manufacturer warranty and a workmanship warranty?

A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing materials themselves (shingles, underlayment) and typically lasts 25-50 years. A workmanship warranty covers the contractor's labor and installation quality — if the roof leaks because it was installed incorrectly, the workmanship warranty covers the repair. Workmanship warranties vary widely between contractors, from 1 year to lifetime. Ask for at least 5 years in writing. Manufacturer-certified contractors can often offer extended warranties that non-certified contractors cannot.

How to Choose a Roofing Contractor After Storm Damage

A hailstorm hits your neighborhood. You find dents in your gutters, shingle granules washing down the driveway, and two business cards already stuck in your front door before the sun comes up. Within a week, you'll have a dozen more — some from contractors who drove 500 miles to be there.

This is the moment where your decision matters most. Choose the right contractor and you get a quality repair covered by insurance. Choose wrong and you get a half-finished job from a company that won't answer the phone in six months.

Here's how to separate the real contractors from the storm chasers.

Start With Licensing and Insurance — No Exceptions

Every contractor you consider should be able to produce two things before stepping on your roof: a valid license and proof of insurance.

Licensing varies by state. Some states — like Texas, Florida, and Louisiana — don't have statewide roofing licenses. But cities and counties often require their own permits and registrations. Others — like California and Arizona — require a state contractor's license with a roofing specialty classification. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) maintains contractor resources by state that can help you understand the requirements in your area.

Regardless of state requirements, always ask for:

A copy of their business license or contractor registration
General liability insurance — protects you if they damage your property during the job
Workers' compensation insurance — protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your roof

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends verifying insurance directly with the carrier, not just accepting a certificate from the contractor. A quick phone call to the insurer on the certificate confirms the policy is active.

Verify They Have a Local Presence

After major storms, contractors travel from other states to the affected area — the industry calls them "storm chasers." Not all of them are bad. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) consistently warns homeowners about contractor fraud following disasters. The pattern is almost always the same: an out-of-state company collects a deposit, starts work, and disappears.

What a local presence actually means:

A physical business address — not a P.O. box or a motel room. Drive by it if you can.
An established history in the area. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Business Profile for reviews that predate the storm.
Local references. A contractor who has done work in your neighborhood can point you to actual houses they've roofed. Ask for 3-5 references from the past 12 months.

A local contractor has a warranty to honor. A contractor who drove in from three states away has a truck to pack.

Understand the Insurance Claim Process Before You Sign Anything

Storm damage roofing jobs are different from regular roof replacements because insurance is almost always involved. The contractor you choose should understand the claims process and be willing to work within it — not around it.

Here's the standard flow according to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and similar state regulators:

You file a claim with your insurance company
Your insurer sends an adjuster to inspect the damage
The adjuster produces a scope of work and estimate
You hire a contractor to do the work at the approved scope
If the contractor's scope differs from the adjuster's, a supplement is filed

A good contractor will:

Inspect your roof and provide a written estimate before you sign a contract
Explain the supplement process if their findings differ from the adjuster
Be willing to meet with your adjuster on-site during the inspection
Never pressure you to sign before the adjuster has visited

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

The FEMA and state consumer protection agencies see the same patterns after every major storm. These are not gray areas — these are exit signs:

"I can waive your deductible." In most states, this is insurance fraud. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes that deductible waivers inflate the claim and can void your policy. In Texas, it's a criminal offense under the Texas Insurance Code.
Demanding full payment upfront. Standard practice is a deposit (typically 10-33% for materials), with the balance due on completion. If they want the full amount before starting, walk away.
Pressure to sign immediately. "This price is only good today" is a high-pressure sales tactic. A legitimate estimate doesn't expire overnight.
No written contract. Every job should have a written contract that includes scope of work, materials, timeline, payment schedule, and warranty terms. The FTC advises getting everything in writing before work begins.
Door-to-door only, no web presence. Legitimate contractors invest in being findable. If they have no website, no reviews, and no verifiable address, that's a signal.

Get Multiple Estimates — At Least Three

Even under time pressure after a storm, get at least three estimates before committing. The NRCA recommends comparing not just price, but also:

Materials specified. Are they using architectural shingles or 3-tab? What brand? What warranty rating? The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) tests roofing products for impact resistance. A Class 4 rated shingle can reduce future hail damage and often qualifies for insurance discounts.
Scope of work. Does the estimate cover decking replacement, ice and water shield, drip edge, flashing, and ventilation — or just shingles?
Timeline. When can they start? When will they finish? What happens if weather delays the job?
Warranty. Most manufacturer warranties cover the shingles themselves (typically 25-50 years). The workmanship warranty — which covers the labor and installation — is what varies between contractors. Ask for at least a 5-year workmanship warranty in writing.

Price differences between legitimate contractors are usually 10-20%. If one estimate is dramatically lower, they're cutting corners on materials or scope. If one is dramatically higher, they're billing for work your insurance won't cover.

Check Manufacturer Certifications

Major roofing manufacturers — GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed — run certification programs for contractors. These programs require training, insurance verification, and adherence to installation standards.

Certified contractors offer extended manufacturer warranties that non-certified contractors can't. For example, a GAF Master Elite contractor can offer a 50-year non-prorated warranty. A non-certified contractor using the same shingles gets only the standard material warranty. This matters when you're replacing your roof after storm damage — the warranty on the new roof is part of the value you're paying for.

These certifications aren't perfect (they're partly marketing programs), but they do require verified insurance and a track record of installations. They're a useful filter, not a guarantee.

What to Do Right Now

If your home was recently hit by a storm:

Document everything first. Take photos of damage from the ground, gutters, siding, and any interior water stains before any contractor touches your property.
File your insurance claim. Don't wait for a contractor to tell you to file — call your insurer directly.
Collect 3+ estimates from licensed, insured, local contractors.
Verify each one: license, insurance, local address, references, BBB profile.
Read the contract before signing — scope, materials, timeline, payment terms, warranty.
Never pay in full upfront. Deposit for materials is standard. Balance on completion.

Need help finding a qualified roofing contractor? Connect with licensed, insured contractors in your area →

Conveyra connects storm-affected homeowners with roofing contractors — using public permit records and industry data to identify homeowners who need help, not cold lists. If you're recovering from storm damage and need a contractor, find roofers in Dallas, Fort Worth, or get matched with contractors in your area.