What to Know Before Signing a Roofing Contract After a Storm
After hail or high winds, roofers arrive fast and contracts arrive faster. The contract you sign decides what gets built, what you pay and what happens if something goes wrong. Read it before the ladder goes up.
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Why storm contracts need extra care
Storm season brings out good contractors and bad ones at the same time. Some companies travel from storm to storm, sign as many homes as they can and are gone before warranty issues appear. Others are local, licensed and insured, and will still answer the phone next year.
The pressure is real. A door knocker says the price is only good today, or that your neighbors already signed. A good contract can wait a day while you read it. If a company will not give you that day, that tells you something.
A contract also ties into your insurance claim. What gets covered depends on your policy and on your insurer's decision, so the contract should not assume an outcome that nobody has confirmed yet.
The best defense is a slower pace. Get an inspection, a written estimate and a copy of the contract, then read them at your kitchen table instead of on the porch. A contractor who believes in their work will be there tomorrow.
Not every document a roofer hands you is the same. An estimate describes the work and the price. An inspection report describes the damage. A contract is the document that commits you to the job, and it is the one with the most consequences.
Some storm contractors present a short form as a simple authorization to inspect or to meet with the adjuster, when it actually commits you to their company for the work. Read the title and the signature section of every page before you sign anything, even on a tablet at the front door.
If you are not sure what a document is, ask in plain words: Does signing this commit me to hiring you? If the answer is yes, treat it as a contract and give it the time it deserves.
What a solid roofing contract includes
Company details
Legal name, physical address, phone and proof of insurance. You should know exactly who you are hiring.
Detailed scope
Tear-off, decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, shingles and cleanup, each listed. Vague scope is how surprises happen.
Named materials
The brand and product line of the shingles and key components, matching what was in the estimate.
Payment terms
When payments are due and what triggers each one. Be wary of large payments before any material arrives.
Change orders
How extra work such as decking replacement is approved and priced before it is done.
Warranty in writing
What the manufacturer covers and what the contractor covers on workmanship, and how to make a request.
Two things Texas does not allow
First, the deductible. The Texas Department of Insurance states that it is illegal for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate or absorb your deductible. If a contract or a salesperson promises to cover it, through a discount, a rebate or an inflated estimate, do not sign. Our article on how a roof insurance deductible works has the full picture.
Second, claim negotiation. A roofing contractor cannot act as a public adjuster. A contract that gives the roofer the right to negotiate your claim or speak for you with the insurer is a red flag. If you want someone to handle the claim on your behalf, that is a licensed public adjuster, explained in how public adjusters can help with denied roof claims.
Beyond those two points, if a clause is unclear or you want to know your legal rights, ask an attorney or the Texas Department of Insurance, not the salesperson.
A pre-signing checklist
Take the contract home
Ask for a copy to read without pressure. Any company that refuses is not one to hire.
Match it to the estimate
Scope, materials and quantities in the contract should match the written estimate line by line.
Check insurance and references
Ask for a certificate of insurance and how long the company has worked in Texas. See questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor.
Read the payment schedule
Know what you pay, when, and what you get at each step. Get receipts for everything.
Look for the cancellation terms
Know how and when you can cancel, and whether any fee applies.
Read anything about insurance
Watch for clauses that let the contractor deal with your insurer for you or that tie the price to the claim outcome.
Red flags to walk away from
A promise that your new roof will cost you nothing.
An offer to waive, rebate or absorb your deductible.
A request to sign before an inspection or before your insurer has looked at the roof.
A large payment up front, in cash, before materials are delivered.
No written estimate, or an estimate that does not match the contract.
Language that lets the contractor negotiate your claim or receive your claim payments without your approval.
How to check a storm contractor in a few minutes
Search the company name
Look for a physical address and a history of work in Texas, not only a recent website.
Ask for proof of insurance
A certificate of insurance should come from the insurer or agent, with current dates.
Ask about manufacturer status
Manufacturers like Owens Corning and GAF have contractor programs. Ask which one, if any, the company belongs to.
Look at the truck and the paperwork
Out of state plates and no local address are worth a question about who handles warranty calls later.
After you sign
Keep a copy of the contract, the estimate and every receipt in one place with your claim records. Before the work starts, confirm the delivery date for materials and the plan for protecting landscaping and driveways. After the job, ask for photos of the completed work and the warranty documents.
If something changes during the job, such as rotten decking under the old shingles, ask for a written change order before the extra work is done. To know what a professional job looks like from start to finish, read what happens during a professional roof replacement.
Finally, keep the final invoice. If you ever sell the home or file another claim, proof of when the roof was replaced and with what materials is useful to buyers, inspectors and insurers.
GemSco is a family owned, fully licensed and insured roofing company and an elite contractor for Owens Corning and GAF, with more than 20 years of experience. We inspect the roof, document the damage with photos and give you a written estimate before anything is signed. Learn more about our roof storm damage work or call (844) 980-5506 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sign a contract before my insurance claim is decided?
Be careful. Some contracts depend on the claim outcome, and the outcome depends on your policy and on your insurer's decision. Read any clause that mentions insurance before you sign. If you are unsure what a clause means for you, ask an attorney or the Texas Department of Insurance.
Can a roofer handle my insurance claim for me?
No. A roofing contractor cannot act as a public adjuster in Texas. A roofer can inspect, document damage with photos and give you a written estimate. Negotiating the claim on your behalf is the role of a licensed public adjuster, or you can do it yourself with your documentation.
Is it normal to pay a deposit on a roofing job?
Payment terms vary by company. Whatever the terms, they should be written in the contract, tied to clear steps in the job and paid with a receipt. Be cautious with large cash payments up front, especially to a company you cannot verify.
What if the contractor finds more damage after tear-off?
Hidden damage, like rotten decking, is common. A good contract explains how that work is approved and priced before it is done. Ask for photos of what was found and a written change order, and keep both with your claim records in case your insurer needs them.
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