Why I wouldn’t let a roofer climb my roof
Would I let a roofer inspect my roof?
Yes.
Would I let a storm-chasing roofer climb it without me watching?
Probably not. Here’s why:
In the summer of 2020, I lost my job because of Covid and started working for a roofing company.
I was sent up to Memphis to train and start selling roofs.
Very quickly, I realized something was off.
Just about anybody who said yes to letting us inspect the roof was being told they had storm damage. If I knocked on your door and agreed to let my company inspect your roof, my supervisor was going to do everything in his power to get you to file an insurance claim — whether you truly needed to file one or not.
Then came the vandalism.
My supervisor brought a putty knife up on roofs to lift shingles and crease them, making them look like wind damage. He would also use a specific type of measuring tape with a rounded edge to bang against metal components and make dents that looked like hail damage.
That sounds unbelievable, but the National Insurance Crime Bureau has specifically warned homeowners that fraudulent contractors may lie about damage, exaggerate damage, or even purposely create roof damage to make it look storm-related. [1]
So unfortunately, what I saw was not just some one-off thing that could never happen anywhere else.
If that wasn’t enough, he would then ask the customer to sign a predatory “insurance recovery agreement,” which obligated the customer to use his company as the roofer if he was successful in getting the insurance claim approved.
Then the cherry on top: once insurance approved the claim, he would nickel and dime the insurance company to squeeze every last penny out of it.
In my opinion, not only was that unjustified, but it also caused claims to drag on for months.
I realized very quickly that I had accidentally signed up to become a scammer.
So I quit.
I was going to leave roofing altogether if a friend of mine hadn’t told me to come work in another area where I would never be encouraged to do anything like that again.
Luckily, I gave it a shot.
And I’ve been able to sleep good ever since, knowing I’m doing right by people.
This Is Why I’m Careful With Storm Damage Inspections
Now, when I inspect a roof for storm damage, I do things differently.
I personally like using a drone first when possible.
Why?
Because it protects the homeowner and it protects me.
If there is real hail damage, wind damage, missing shingles, damaged metal, or obvious issues, the photos should show it. I don’t need to manipulate anything. I don’t need to “find” damage that isn’t there.
The evidence should speak for itself.
That matters because storm damage inspections can be abused. After storms, homeowners are often vulnerable, stressed, and unsure of what is actually covered by insurance. The Federal Trade Commission recommends verifying your insurance coverage yourself, checking a contractor’s license and insurance, getting written estimates, and reading contracts carefully before signing anything. [2]
That is good advice.
You should never feel rushed into a claim, a contract, or a roof replacement.
Is It Okay to Let a Roofer Climb on Your Roof?
Obviously, yes.
Roofers need to climb roofs in order to do their jobs. There are things you cannot fully evaluate from the ground or even from a drone.
But here is my honest advice:
If a roofer knocks on your door after a storm and asks to inspect your roof, go outside and watch them.
You don’t have to be rude.
You don’t have to act suspicious.
Just be present.
A good roofer won’t care. In fact, a good roofer should be happy to show you what they are seeing.
If somebody gets weird about you watching them inspect your own property, that’s a red flag.
Be Careful With Insurance Recovery Agreements
Are insurance recovery agreements always bad?
No.
This is where things get nuanced.
Roofers are split on this, and I understand both sides.
In some ways, an insurance recovery agreement is similar to a contingency agreement. It protects the roofer when they are spending time documenting damage, meeting adjusters, taking photos, writing estimates, and walking the homeowner through the claim process.
If the roofer does all that work and the claim gets approved, I understand why they don’t want the homeowner shopping the estimate afterward and giving the job to somebody else.
So yes, I understand why roofers use them.
But homeowners need to be careful.
Some agreements are reasonable. Some are not.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners warns homeowners to be cautious with Assignment of Benefits agreements because they can give a third party, such as a contractor, the ability to act on behalf of the insured, seek direct payment, and potentially control parts of the claim process. [3]
Not every insurance recovery agreement is the same thing as an Assignment of Benefits, but the point is the same:
You need to know exactly what you are signing.
Before you sign anything, make sure you understand:
What you are agreeing to
Whether you can cancel
What you will owe out of pocket
What roof system will be installed
Whether the roofer is licensed and insured
Whether you are giving the contractor any control over your insurance claim
That last part matters.
If you are happy with the out-of-pocket cost, happy with the roof system being installed, and the roofer is licensed and insured, then I think it can be okay to sign an agreement that protects the roofer’s time and work.
But don’t sign anything just because somebody is standing in your driveway pressuring you.
Make Sure Your Roofer Is Legit
This should be obvious, but after storms, a lot of people skip this step because they are stressed and just want the problem handled.
In Alabama, the Home Builders Licensure Board says a roofer license is required when the work is simply replacing a storm-damaged roof and the cost exceeds $2,500. [4]
So ask.
Are they licensed?
Are they insured?
Are they local?
Can they provide references?
Are they willing to put everything in writing?
A legitimate contractor should have no issue answering those questions.
Supplements Are Not Automatically Bad
Supplements are another thing homeowners hear about but don’t always understand.
A supplement is when a roofer asks the insurance company to add something to the estimate that was missed or underpaid.
That can be completely legitimate.
For example, if code items, proper flashing, drip edge, starter shingles, ridge cap, decking, or other necessary components were missed in the original insurance estimate, it may be appropriate to supplement for them.
But the roofer should be able to explain what they are supplementing for and why it is necessary.
That’s the key.
Supplements are fine when they are honest and justified.
They are not fine when they are just being used to run up the bill.
My Point
My point with this blog is not to say all roofers are bad.
They’re not.
There are a lot of good roofers who care about doing the job right and helping homeowners through a stressful process.
But there are also predatory roofers who are willing to do the wrong thing to make more money.
And homeowners need to know that.
If somebody knocks on your door after a storm, offers a free roof inspection, tells you they can “get insurance to buy it,” and immediately starts pushing paperwork in your face, slow down.
Ask questions.
Watch the inspection.
Get photos.
Verify their license and insurance.
Make sure you understand what you’re signing.
And most importantly, make sure the damage is real.
At ProTech Construction and Roofing, we would rather tell you the truth than talk you into a claim you don’t need.
Sometimes that means filing a roof insurance claim.
Sometimes that means making a repair.
Sometimes that means telling you your roof is fine.
That’s how it should be.
Sources
[1] National Insurance Crime Bureau — Roofing fraud and contractors creating or exaggerating storm damage
[2] Federal Trade Commission — How to avoid scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters
[3] National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Assignment of Benefits consumer guidance
[4] Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board — Alabama roofing license requirements after storm damage
