The hail stops, and within a day or two the knocking starts. A friendly person at the door says they're working in the neighborhood, they noticed damage on your roof, and they can get insurance to pay for a new one. Some of those people are honest. Plenty aren't. Either way, a few simple questions will tell you who you're dealing with.
Ask where their office is
Not a phone number. An address. Then look it up. A local roofer has a real office you can drive to, a local phone number and a history in your area. Storm chasers often have a motel room, a P.O. box, or an office three states away. Look at the truck in the driveway, too. Out-of-state plates after a big storm tell their own story.
Check their local reviews
Look them up online, by name, before you agree to anything. A roofer who has been working around here for years will have reviews from your neighbors, jobs you can drive past, and a name people recognize. A company with no local history, or reviews that all showed up last month, deserves a hard second look.
Never sign anything on your porch
This is the big one. Storm chasers count on urgency. They tell you the offer ends today, or they need your signature just to "start the claim." Sometimes that paper is a binding contract. Take their card, say thank you, and close the door. A good roofer will still be there tomorrow after you've checked them out and gotten another quote.
And if anyone offers to cover or waive your deductible, that's a firm no. It's illegal in Missouri and Illinois.
When they leave town, who's backing your warranty?
This is the question that matters most, and it's the one people forget to ask. A workmanship warranty is a promise that the roofer will come back and fix it if something goes wrong. That promise is only worth something if the company is still here. When the storm chasers move on to the next town, so does anyone who can honor the warranty. If your new roof leaks next spring, who do you call?
Missouri doesn't license roofers
There's no state roofing license in Missouri, so you can't lean on a license number to check out a door-knocker. Illinois does license roofers, and you can look them up. On the Missouri side especially, checking the company yourself is on you.
Three generations right here in St. Louis
We're family-run and have been roofing Midwest homes since 1947. Our own crews do the work, our limited lifetime workmanship warranty is in writing, and we answer the phone 24/7. We'll be here next year, and the year after that.
What John says in the video
Transcript: Should you trust the storm chaser knocking on your door? Here's my advice. Ask where their office is, check their local reviews, and never sign anything on your porch. When they leave town, who's backing your warranty? We're three generations right here in St. Louis. Call me, 1-800-JOHN-BEAL.
Frequently asked questions
What is a storm chaser roofer?
A contractor who follows big hail and wind storms from town to town, knocks on doors for a few weeks, and moves on. Some do fine work, but they are not around later to stand behind it.
How can I tell if a roofer is a storm chaser?
Ask for a local office address and check it. Look for out-of-state plates, no local reviews, pressure to sign right away, and offers to handle everything with your insurance.
Should I sign a contract with a roofer at my door?
No. Never sign anything on your porch. Take their information, check them out, and get other quotes before you commit.
Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible?
No. Waiving or covering a deductible is illegal in Missouri and Illinois. Anyone who offers is a red flag.
Is John Beal Roofing local?
Yes. We are family-run, three generations in St. Louis, and have been roofing here since 1947. Call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL.
More answers from John Beal
- What Causes Ice Dams On A Roof?
- Roof Leaking During A Storm? What To Do
- How Much Does A New Roof Cost?
- All of John’s video answers
John Beal Roofing is family-run and has been roofing Midwest homes since 1947, serving Greater St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Lake of the Ozarks, and the Metro East and Carbondale in Illinois. Our Kansas City office is at 7440 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152 (816-572-9500 Missouri side, 913-281-6000 Kansas side). Everywhere else, call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL. We answer 24/7.