Business is booming for roofing companies after recent hailstorms swept through North Texas, but experts are telling customers to beware of bad actors.
Golf-ball-sized hail left damaged roofs, shredded shrubs, and torn-up trees in parts of North Texas like Rockwall, ultimately driving up business for local contractors and roofing experts.
However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and some of the leading roofing companies operating out of Dallas-Fort Worth are cautioning customers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous and unlicensed contractors willing to offer a swift fix for some fast cash.
“Just make sure you get someone who’s licensed and insured to do roofing. Look them up on the Better Business Bureau, look them up on Google, and do your own research,” said Eric Wimpee, a sales associate at Firehouse Roofing, a family-owned roofing company with more than 26 years of experience inspecting, repairing, and replacing roofs throughout DFW, per WFAA.
To protect yourself from falling prey to deceitful contractors and storm chasers, the BBB of North Central Texas suggests first contacting your insurance company.
“Find out what your policy is going to provide you, what’s covered, that sort of thing,” said a spokesperson with the BBB of North Central Texas, Monica Horton, according to CBS News.
The BBB also offers the following advice: beware of contractors claiming to waive deductibles; resist high-pressure sales tactics; be careful of door-to-door contractors; do not sign over insurance checks to contractors; and be wary regarding places you cannot see, reported WFAA.
According to House Bill 2102, it is a criminal offense in Texas for contractors to waive an insurance deductible without the insurer’s consent. If a contractor offers to waive your deductible, the BBB says to reach out to your insurance company and check to see if the contractor has been authorized to do so.
When it comes to choosing a contractor, the BBB recommends relying on references from friends and relatives as well as checking with the local government agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors.
Another BBB recommendation is to avoid hasty decisions when under pressure. This could mean being proactive in the process instead of deciding based on sales calls or door-to-door pitches.
The final tips from the BBB include: checking the contractor’s vehicle for a business name, phone number, and Texas license plate; paying the contractor’s invoice directly with a credit card (for added protection); refusing to sign any document that would give the contractor rights to an insurance claim; and being wary of someone you do not know, as reported by WFAA.
