Storms last week left many homes damaged in Lubbock. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) wants you to watch out for scams.
Sarah Ramon with RCAT says don't be pressured into fully signing an agreement. She says homeowners need to do homework.
"Hire someone local from your area that has a brick and mortar business that will be there. That's important because if some out-of-state storm chaser does your roof and has a problem later, who are you going to contact? Think they'll drive back and help out? No chance," she said.
The recent storms have kept contractors busy. Mike Tomilson, with Hartman Roofing, says the hail has done quite a bit of damage.
"I bet I have personally looked at 50 houses already. Our company has just been inundated in calls right now," Tomilson said.
In Texas, it's illegal to waive, rebate, promise your rebate or pay an otherwise cover for your homeowner's insurance deductible. Ramon says the contractor will cut corners in ways to make up that money.
"You'll get sub-par product. They'll roof over your materials and not take off the old. They'll over-supplement the insurance company for things that don't get done. They'll, in essence, commit insurance fraud," Ramon said.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has no oversight for roofing contractors in the state, which makes doing your research even more crucial.
"Check the address that they give you and make sure it's local. I had a roofer come to me and I did research on his address and it was a Super 8 motel. If you can go to their business in Lubbock or in a surrounding community, that's a great place to start," Ramon said.
To learn more about how you can protect your home, click here.