Lubbock Roofing Companies: How to Check a Storm Chaser

To check a roofer who shows up after a storm, confirm four things before you sign: that the company is registered with the City of Lubbock, that it carries insurance you've verified yourself, that its contract is complete and in writing, and that it isn't offering to cover your deductible. A storm chaser is a contractor who follows hail from town to town. Some do honest work. The risk is that a company built around the next storm may be hard to reach when a leak or warranty question comes up a year later.

Red flags that should end the conversation

• An offer to pay, waive or rebate your deductible. Texas law requires homeowners to pay their own deductible. Under Business & Commerce Code §27.02, a seller who advertises or provides that kind of deal without the insurer's consent commits a Class B misdemeanor; TDI describes the penalty as up to a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail (TDI).
• A promise to "handle the insurance." Insurance Code §4102.163 bars a contractor from acting as a public adjuster, or advertising to adjust claims, on a property it is or may be working on.
• A paper to sign before you get a price. TDI warns that a contract may be presented as an "estimate" or "release" just to get onto your roof (TDI).
• Contract language tied to your payout. TDI flags the phrase "Homeowner agrees to the listed repairs for the value of insurance proceeds," which could hand over your entire insurance payment.
• Pressure to sign today. The Texas Attorney General's office says not to be pushed into signing right away, and to be suspicious of anyone who won't leave a contract overnight for you to read (Texas AG).

Payment rules that protect you

The AG's office explains that special laws apply when a contractor from another area is working on emergency damage: with some exceptions, it may not require payment before work begins, or more along the way than is proportionate to the work done. TDI likewise warns against large or full down payments.

Paying by check or card, rather than cash, leaves a record. That record also serves as proof you paid your deductible.

How to check out a contractor

City registration. For homes inside the city limits, the City of Lubbock requires a contractor doing a re-roof for a homeowner to be registered with the City and to provide either a $20,000 compliance bond or $100,000 in general liability insurance (City of Lubbock). Ask for the company's registration and confirm it with Building Safety at 806-775-2087.

Permit. The same page says a roofing permit is required to tear off and replace shingles, with an inspection after completion. Ask who pulls the permit. A roofer who suggests skipping it is skipping the City's inspection, too.

Insurance. The AG's office says to ask for proof of insurance, including disability and workers' compensation coverage, since an uninsured contractor could leave you liable for accidents on your property. Call the insurer on the certificate to confirm it is active.

A real address and phone number. TDI says bids should show the company's letterhead, phone number and address. Look the company up yourself, not just on its flyer.

What the contract should include

The AG's office lists what a home repair contract should state in specific detail: total cost, work to be done, schedule and payment terms. It also says:

• if the sale happens at your home, the contract must include a notice giving you until midnight of the third business day to cancel, a right set by Texas Business and Commerce Code §601.051 (statute);
• you should never sign a contract with blank spaces;
• you should find out in writing whether the contractor will place a lien or security interest on your property;
• any guarantee should be written into the contract, saying what is covered, by whom and for how long;
• you shouldn't sign completion papers or make the final payment until the work is done to your satisfaction.

Texas law adds one more check. Under §27.02, a contract of $1,000 or more that is expected to be paid from a property insurance claim must contain a bold notice that Texas law requires the insured to pay the deductible. If that notice is missing from an insurance-funded roof contract, ask why.

If you've already signed

Look for the cancellation notice and its deadline. If a contractor offered to waive your deductible, TDI says to find a new contractor and report it to the Attorney General's consumer protection hotline at 800-621-0508.

For a full list of questions to ask any bidder, local or not, see questions for a Lubbock roofer. If the storm was this week, start with after a hailstorm, and see the claim guide for how payment works.

Common questions

Are all out-of-town roofers storm chasers?

No. Some travel with legitimate crews and do good work. The checks are the same for everyone: City registration, verified insurance, a complete contract and no deductible deals.

How do I report a roofing scam in Lubbock?

TDI directs deductible-waiver offers to the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection hotline at 800-621-0508.

Can I cancel a roof contract I signed at my door?

Under Texas Business and Commerce Code §601.051, most contracts signed at your home can be cancelled until midnight of the third business day after signing, and the contract must include a notice saying so. Follow the steps in that notice.

We connect Lubbock homeowners with independent local pros. You confirm the price and schedule directly with them.