Hail Storm in Fort Worth and Arlington

If your home was affected by a hail storm, here are a few tips to help prepare you for what comes next:

1. Solicitors are coming. Nothing draws more Door-to-Door solicitors than a hail storm. If you prefer that they do not disturb you, place a hand-written note on the door, the “No Solicitor” sign rarely workss.
   
2. Don’t feel like you have to move quickly. Creating a sense of urgency is a tactical move that sales people use to get you to sign up quickly.
   
3. Most contractors are going to tell you they can waive your deductible. Be cautious if they say this. They have no idea what your deductible amount is, therefore how can they waive it. In addition, are they willing to commit fraud or cut corners in order to accomplish waiving the deductible? There is a right way to do business without sacrificing any quality.
   
4. Is the Roofer Licensed? Check with RCAT to determine if your contractor is licensed. The state of Texas does not require licensing but many legitimate contractors have been licensed by RCAT (Roofing Contractors Association of Texas).
   
5. NTRCA also has a good list of contractors to choose from. These contractors are local to North Texas and cannot be a member without proper insurance.
   
6. Check the Better Business Bureau of Fort Worth. Any business can be a member, but do they have any negative reviews? This is what to look for with the BBB. The rating alone can be misleading. Please look at the reviews.
   
7. Angie’s List is also a great tool to research the roofing contractors that you are considering. Reviews of contractors are listed throughout.
   
8. General Contractor vs. Roofer – Many General Contractors specialize in Roofing but can also help you with Fence damage, Gutter damage, Window damage, Siding, Skylights, etc. Hiring a general contractor helps simplify how many trades people you meet with, which provides for greater peace of mind. Most companies that specialize in Roofing only, still sub-contract the roofing installers. They do not typically employ the installers, especially in the Residential market.
   
9. Insurance – General Liability will provide some protection, but please make sure it is valid. Make sure you get a copy of the Insurance certificate and call the Insurance Provider to verify coverage. You may also request a waiver of liability for another layer of protection.
   
10. Your Insurance Claim – In most cases, the insurance company pays fair market value for all damage. Therefore, have all items repaired/replaced. Unfortunately, it is very common for roofers to cut corners – by leaving the old felt on your roof, not replacing flashing, vents, etc. even though it was paid for. Many roofers will tell you to leave your gutters (or other items) unrepaired in order to offset paying your deductible. This is not a good practice, especially if they invoice the insurance company that they were repaired. This is insurance fraud. There are plenty of funds available to have all items repaired/replaced in most cases.