BATON ROUGE – Now that Hurricane Francine has passed and clear skies on the horizon, you may want to consider getting a roofing contractor for any damages from the storm.
Whether the project is large or small, it’s important you make informed decisions to avoid being scammed. Contractor scams are a frequent occurrence after hurricanes and large storms.
Matt Couvillion, owner of Tri21 Roofing, cautions homeowners to trust their gut and not be fooled by out-of-town contractors who pop up and knock on doors after big storms.
“Don’t just let anybody on your roof. If they can’t show proof of license and insurance, you need to move on to the next one,” he said. “You can also look up a contractor’s license online.”
First of all, however, take plenty of pictures of the roof before removing debris or allowing anyone onto the roof. Pictures are vital if you plan to make a claim on your insurance for the roof repair.
Couvillion explained that the photos need to be taken before anything is done, even putting up a tarp.
“Take pictures. Interior, exterior, anything that’s damaged that you can see.”
He also advised not attending an adjustor meeting without an expert who knows how insurance works and can explain the roofing damages.
“Be cautious of anyone trying to convince you to put a claim in to insurance,” Couvillion said. The roofing company needs to be able to prove the damage is sufficient for a claim, otherwise you could be stuck with the consequences of having a claim on your record. Claims are not always necessary, he said, and an honest assessment can clear any confusion about it.
If you do have an insurance claim, the process isn’t quick. Be aware that you could still have a tarp on your roof two months down the road, close to the end of hurricane season, Couvillion added.
Finding a reliable roofing company is important not just now, but for future concerns. You want to be able to reach your contractor months to years down the road if something happens, he said.
One of the best ways to find a good roofer is to ask friends and family.
“Who did they use? Because if they did not have a good experience with someone, they’ll definitely tell you that too,” Couvillion said.
Since hurricane season isn’t over, take pictures now of your roof in case another storm hits. Then you’ll have evidence of what your roof looked like before any damages you might get.
Tips from the BBB
The BBB has six tips for staying safe when hiring a roofer:
• Take time to understand the project’s scope. What exactly is the roofer going to be doing or repairing? How long will this take?
• Ask about clean-up and waste removal. Confirm that your contractor will be responsible for cleaning up your site after their work is complete and properly disposing waste.
• Consider the impact on your gutters or yard. Ladders can cause damage when leaned against your gutters or get stuck in bushes and landscaping. How will your roofer protect against damage or fix things after the job is done?
• Plan for bad weather. What happens if there is bad weather while your roof is being worked on? September is midway through hurricane season, and Louisiana summers have a lot of storms.
• Check your insurance coverage–and your contractor’s. If your project is for fixing damage from a storm, check your homeowner’s insurance to see if your project is covered and how you should proceed. Remember, you may not want to file a claim.
• Different contractors for different roofing systems. Check if your contractor is certified for the roofing system you have.
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