When your roof suffers hail damage, finding the right contractor to take you through the insurance claims process can be tough. Thankfully, Roofing Insights CEO Dmitry Lipinskiy is able to help homeowners select the right contractor for their next roofing project because, as a former roofing business owner, Lipinskiy has consulted thousands of homeowners on how to get new roofs through their insurance company.
“I want to give homeowners some tips on how to hire a contractor after hail damage so that they can repair or replace their roof, siding, gutters, and everything else that has been affected,” he says.
Keep reading as Lipinskiy shares his six tips for how to hire a roofing contractor for hail damage insurance claims!
1. Document the Damage 🤳
As a homeowner, it is important that you document the hail damage that has occurred on your home. Doing so ensures that you will be protected in the event that your insurance company attempts to deny your claim.
“Document the damage by taking pictures. Go film and save any damage that you can see so that if the insurance company comes back and says they don’t have a record of hail in your area, you’ll be able to show them the damage,” advises Lipinskiy, who warns that because of the sheer number of claims, insurance companies do not always fulfill their responsibilities.
“Sometimes insurance companies cannot send an adjuster right away because they have a backlog, and weeks later, it is easy for them to say that hail never happened in your area.”
Another thing— Documenting the damage on your home helps assist roofing companies when they later negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
2. Be Prepared for Door Knockers 🚪
After hailstorms, it is common for storm-chasing roofing companies to come into affected areas and relentlessly knock on doors in order to procure roofing jobs. While some companies are reputable and take care of their customers, many times storm-chasing roofing companies do not prioritize customer service.
Worse, these types of roofing companies use high-pressure sales tactics in order to get homeowners to sign contracts.
“There are a lot of good people out there who will come to your home and try to help you, but when you have twenty people knocking on your door who are trying to build a sense of urgency, it can be overwhelming,” Lipinskiy says.
Keep in mind that just because it hailed in your local area does not mean your roof will collapse tomorrow. Be patient in choosing the roofing contractor that is right for you.
“I want you to choose a contractor. Don’t let them choose you,” Lipinskiy says.
3. Google Every Company Name 👨💻
Part of being diligent when selecting a roofing contractor includes vetting their company website and reviews to ensure that they are not a hack contractor. This again goes back to trust, and as a homeowner, if you don’t trust a roofing contractor, do not do business with them.
“Don’t sign anything on the spot if you don’t trust them,” Lipinskiy urges. Then, once you’re ready to go with a certain roofing company, it never hurts to check their credentials online.
“All you have to do is Google the company’s name,” says Lipinskiy, who then adds a word of caution. “I have seen many roofing contractors get jail time for collecting deposits and not doing any work.”
- weight: 400;” aria-level=”1″>To steer clear of this happening to you, it is best practice to avoid companies with low ratings on Google reviews.
- Anything less than a 4.0 rating should give homeowners pause.
“If you see reviews where people talk about giving a down payment and not getting any work done, it’s very likely the same thing will happen to you,” Lipinskiy says.
4. Signing Contracts 📝
Many homeowners don’t like signing roofing contracts without a guaranteed price, but in the insurance industry, signing contracts before a final price has been established is typical. This is because once an insurance company is involved, the cost of a new roof goes up.
For comparison, the same thing happens when you visit the doctor because insurance companies always negotiate prices with hospitals. That being said, if a roofing contractor cannot immediately give you a price, don’t automatically assume that they are trying to scam you.
“If you have done your research and you trust your contractor, don’t be skeptical if they cannot provide you a price,” says Lipinskiy.
Moreover, roofing contractors and insurance companies both use Xactimate for determining prices, but because of the nature of the insurance business, roofing companies often have to negotiate with insurance carriers to get the price that they deserve.
“95% of roofing companies use the same software that insurance companies use. Insurance companies aren’t going to pay contractors too much,” Lipinskiy shares. “As a matter of fact, they will always try to short contractors. Even if your insurance company already wrote the estimate, it’s usually 30-40% less than it should be.”
- 🔑Another key thing for homeowners to remember: No matter how volatile the market for roofing shingles and supplies is, homeowners only have to pay their deductible in order to reap the benefits of their insurance policy.
5. Contractor Platforms 📱
Once hail has damaged roofs, it is common for homeowners to go online in search of a roofing contractor. While there are reputable platforms online that connect homeowners and contractors, there are also shady platforms.
- Lipinskiy advises homeowners to avoid websites like HomeAdvisor and Angi. “Those companies will take your information and sell it to 5-10 contractors,” he says.
- Instead, homeowners would be wise to use platforms like Google Guaranteed or Directorii.
In fact, Directorii backs up each contractor on their platform with a $20,000 guarantee, which ensures that homeowners are protected from things like job abandonment, shoddy workmanship, and much more!
Regardless of which platform is used, once again, homeowners should always be aware of a roofing company’s online reputation. “Always go with a local contractor who has a higher ranking on Google,” Lipinskiy says, who also mentions that homeowners should check a roofing company’s social media pages as well.
“Just like employers stalk potential employees on social media, see what kind of content your potential contractor is posting.”
6. Don’t Hire Contractors Who Are Forced On You 👷♂️
Lastly, always remember that, as a homeowner, you should choose the roofing contractor that you want to work with. Unfortunately, some insurance companies force homeowners to use one of their pre-approved roofing contractors.
In these instances, the roofing contractor is typically underpaid because they work for the insurance company. This means that price often trumps quality because the insurance company is trying to save as much money as possible.
“Some insurance companies aren’t letting homeowners choose their preferred contractor, and that’s a problem. You should be able to choose your own contractor,” says Lipinskiy. “Some insurance companies have created a program where they have certified contractors, and usually those contractors agree to work for a lot less money. In those cases, a lot of shady things are happening.”
How to Hire a Roofing Contractor — Trust Your Gut
We hope these six industry-vetted tips help you feel confident choosing a roofer for storm damage. If you have any questions regarding how to hire a roofing contractor for hail damage insurance claims, leave a comment below!
Also, if you’re looking for a local roofing contractor in your area who is backed up by a $20,000 guarantee, visit Directorii today!
It’s good to know that signing contracts before a final price has been chosen is normal in the roofing industry. My mom called me yesterday and is hoping to replace her roof this summer. She asked if I had any advice, so I’ll definitely help her look for a roofing contractor.
Oh, hi! So my aunt’s house (as well as her neighbors’) just got hit by a heavy hailstone rain last night which caused her roof to be partially damaged. Well, it would make so much sense if she simply hires someone reliable to fix the situation the right way after this. You just made us realize that taking photographic evidence of our roof damage is essential so we can make comparison before and after it receives a treatment.
Thanks for the tip about how I should also check the BBB for good roofing services. I might need to get some repairs soon to make the most of the warm weather. It will be easier to find damages on the roof when it is completely dry.
Thanks for mentioning that you should always be aware of a roofing company’s online reputation. I’m hoping to hire a roofing contractor this week to replace some of my shingles. I’ll definitely look online for some reputable contractors.
It’s good to know that homeowners should always be aware of a roofing company’s online reputation. I’m hoping to hire a roofer this week to help with hail damage. There was a massive hailstorm last week and it damaged some of my shingles.
It’s good that you discussed searching for roofing contractors on reputable online platforms to make it easier for homeowners to hire one. I imagine if you own a roofing company, it would be best to have your business create a strong online persona to help attract more potential clients. If I ever consider managing one in the future, I’ll be sure to consider this while I look for a strategist that can help with our roofing sales as well.
My family and I are looking for a roofer to repair our home’s aged roof, but until we arrived here, we had no idea how to pick a qualified provider. It’s fantastic that you suggested conducting online research to learn more about the company’s expertise and track record of providing high-quality roofing services. This is amazing. As I hunt for a reputable roofer, I’ll definitely keep this in mind. Thanks.
I’ve been looking for a roofer to repair my home’s shattered roof, but I couldn’t seem to find a competent service provider until I stumbled across this blog. It’s fantastic that you advised ensuring the contractor has sufficient insurance so that if something goes wrong during work, the company may reimburse us for the damage. This is a fantastic suggestion, and I’ll definitely keep that in mind when selecting a roofing contractor. Thanks.
I like how you mentioned how when roofing firms subsequently negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, having documentation of the damage to your property is helpful. This week, I want to hire a roof repair contractor to replace a few of my shingles. Without a doubt, I’ll search online for some reliable contractors and follow your tips, thanks.
I like the idea of using google to research potential companies. Google will show you reviews, their website and projects they have completed. You can also find out if they have experience with hail damage. Great idea!
Thanks for explaining how you should not ignore any missing shingles or dents on your roof. I never knew that this could signify that your roofing system needs repairs before it affects your home structure. I should relay this information to him so we can find a roofing professional that can help out.
I’ve been looking for a contractor to perform roof inspections for damage, but until I read your site, I was unable to select an appropriate service provider. It’s fantastic that you mentioned making sure possible damage contractors have liability insurance so that the company could pay for any resulting losses if there were any property damages. This is a great suggestion, and I’ll keep it in mind when I hunt for a contractor to inspect my roof. Thanks.
It’s good to know that a roofer should always be able to give you a quote. I’m hoping to hire a roofer in the spring to perform an inspection on my home. My husband thinks it needs to be replaced, so we’ll have to contact a contractor about it.
Thanks for mentioning that you need to consider signing the contract before the final price has been established. I’m hoping that I can hire a roofer next month to repair my shingles. I think they were damaged by snow, so I want to get them checked.
It’s great that you talked about how documenting the damage on your home would help assist roofing companies when they later negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Our roof suffered some damage from the hail storms that happened recently and I think it’s about time that we repair the whole thing. For that, we should definitely ask for professional hail damage roof repairs.
Thanks for mentioning that contracts are typical in industries like roofing. I hope to call a roofer this week because there was a big hail storm in my area and it has caused some damage. I’ll have to reach out to a professional to learn more about the services they offer.
Taking everything into account when contractors and signing insurance is involved could make a huge difference. If you don’t look at the fine print, it might be hard to seal the deal on the project that will keep your home safe from bad weather. I’ll make sure this is what I watch out for when I hire a roofer in the area to help us with repairs.
I liked that you suggested checking the website of a roofing contractor and reading their reviews to make sure that they are a legitimate company. This is something that I will consider because the roof of my commercial property was damaged due to a hail storm three days ago. It is important for me to only deal with a reliable roofer, especially since I want to sell my property at a good rate next month.
I like that you suggested checking the credentials of a roofing company online before we sign any agreement with them. I will follow your advice when I need roofers for the repair of the leaks we have been having. The damage is found on the ceiling of the garage, and I worry that it might spread and cause more damage to other parts if not fixed immediately by a trusted company.
It did catch my attention when you said that you can Google the name of the roofing contractor that you are interested in to ensure that they do not have a low rating. This reminds me of commercial property owners who are interested in roofing services to improve the appearance of their properties. I could imagine how they could do your tips to find a highly recommended and trustworthy commercial roofer.
I could not agree more when you said that you can Google the name of the roofing company that you are interested in to find out its credentials online. My mother’s energy bill has been spiking for the past three months due to an inefficient roof. She is planning to replace it in two weeks, so I will ask her to follow your tips on choosing the right roofer.
I appreciated your advice to confirm a roofing contractor is a real business by visiting their website and reading customer reviews. Given that a hailstorm three days earlier damaged the roof of my residential property, I will take this into consideration. Given that I want to sell my house next month at a profit, it is crucial for me to only work with a reputable roofer.
I found it helpful when you advised us to document the damage on our roof first because this will help us and have roofing companies assist us in negotiating when we plan to file a claim from an insurance company. The storm last week left significant damage to my roof at home and made the leaks worse, so I was hoping to have them fixed soon. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for a roofing contractor to hire for help soon.
Thanks for pointing out that we should research the reputation of a company online before we even higher and sign any contract with them. I will follow your advice when it is the first time that I will be needing roof hail damage repair services, after that kind of weather situation that happened earlier this week. And I just needed to wait for a certain time to have this amount of money in order to afford air services this coming weekend. So this means that one of the things that I will be looking for is if they will be able to offer at a lower rate compared to others while still providing good quality outcomes.
It really helped when you said that we should research every roofing contractor we can find online before selecting them and read through their website as well as the reviews they have to hire a legitimate company. I will keep that in mind now that I need your services for the repair of my property after there has been a hailstorm this evening. Hopefully, it will not rain until we get that part of the house fixed first thing in the morning tomorrow so that we will not also be worried about water damage that can happen if there will be rain seeping into our structure.
I found these tips incredibly useful, especially since hail damage is a real concern where I live. It’s true that selecting the right roofing contractor can make all the difference in the world. The emphasis on checking for proper licensing and insurance is crucial; it’s a surefire way to ensure the safety of both the workers and my property.
It really helped when you said that we should do our research regarding every residential roofer we can find here in our area to read reviews about them and check their websites to ensure that they are legitimate. I will follow your advice now that I need their help regarding my property, because I saw some stains on my garage’s ceiling. There must be a leak there by now which should be fixed immediately before it becomes rainy in our location.
Hail Damage can be Costly, always consult a Professional for a Fair Estimate.
It’s great that this article talked about how roof damage should be inspected to identify the most appropriate solution for safety. My uncle mentioned last night that he was planning to have their roof repaired because of leaks and clogging problems due to recent storm damage. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to resolve it. Thanks to this helpful roofing guide article for effective roofing planning. I’ll tell him that he can consult a trusted roof contractor as they can provide helpful information that will prevent roof problems.
I appreciate it when you pointed out that we should check the website of the company first and the reviews they have before choosing a certain roofing contractor. I will follow your advice in order to find someone I can really trust to fix the leaks in my home. There is another typhoon coming which is why we already need their services first thing in the morning tomorrow to prevent water damage in the structure of our house after finding out that we have leaks in a garage.
The methodical and educational guide on hiring a roofing contractor is offered in this blog post. Choosing the appropriate contractor is crucial for roofing jobs because they are big undertakings.
“Roofing projects can be daunting, but your team made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Your communication, attention to deadlines, and the level of expertise displayed were exceptional. Thanks for a job well done!
It’s fantastic that you mentioned how roofing firms can represent your interests while negotiating with insurance companies by providing documentation of the damage to your property. The hail storms that just occurred left considerable damage on our roof, so I believe it’s time for a complete repair. We should unquestionably request expert hail damage roof repairs for it.
Thank you for providing these helpful tips on how to pick a roofing contractor. It’s important to have an in-depth knowledge of the process, and your blog does it in an easy-to-understand way. This will be extremely beneficial to anyone doing a roofing project. Excellent work!
This spread is a margin between the purchase and sale value of a safety (they promote at
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It’s just sad that our roof sustained significant damage recently during a strong hailstorm that moved across our region. I want to locate a qualified roofer for storm damage repair so they can evaluate and address any dents, cracks, or leaks since I don’t want things to become any worse. You know, it’s all about keeping our house safe and valued. It’s also comforting to know that part of being careful when choosing a roofing contractor is checking reviews on the company website to make sure the contractor is not a hacker.
There was a hail storm in our area last week so I need to get my roof checked for damage to avoid making it worse if I leave it unattended for too long. It’s good that you mentioned that documenting the damage on our roof will assist roofing companies later on when negotiating with insurance companies on our behalf regarding the claim we will be filing for the damages. I’ll take note of this while I look for a roofing contractor in Eagan to hire for the repairs I need for my roof at home soon.
This was really enlightening. Thanks!