Decoding Your Roof: What NWA Homeowners Need to Know About Out-of-State “Storm Chasers”
You know what’s truly awful about the minutes, hours, and days after a severe thunderstorm rocks the Northwest Arkansas community? Vulturous contractors who like to take advantage of people under the guise of “trying to be helpful.” These unscrupulous people, also known as “storm chasers”, usually drive into communities after a storm in an effort to make quick cash off the backs of people who have significant damage to their homes.
These folks especially like targeting people who have noticeable roof damage. Considering how vital a roof is to a home, people dealing with roof damage are especially vulnerable to this type of contractor. So, how can you protect yourself? Perry Roofing is here to help so you never find yourself the victim of these people. Because education is an easy and much more affordable way to protect yourself. Here’s how.
What Exactly Is a Roofing “Storm Chaser”?
Storm chasers typically travel into communities after major hail, wind, or tornado events, when thousands of homeowners may suddenly need roof inspections and repairs.
The business model itself isn’t necessarily the problem. Accountability can be.
A roof replacement needs to perform through years of Northwest Arkansas heat, thunderstorms, wind, hail, and temperature swings. If something goes wrong six months after installation, you want to know who to call. More importantly, you want reasonable confidence that somebody will answer.
Before signing anything, find out how established the contractor is in Northwest Arkansas. Ask where the company operates, how long it has worked in the area, whether it is properly licensed and insured, and what happens if you need warranty assistance later.
Perry Roofing has served Northwest Arkansas since 2008. We’re locally owned and operated, licensed and insured, so you’re getting a team that has no plans to leave town when the work is done.
Don’t Get Scammed!
After hail hits your neighborhood, getting your roof checked can be a smart move. But there’s an important difference between performing a hail damage roof inspection and simply hunting for a reason to sell a roof.
A professional inspection should help you understand what actually happened.
At Perry Roofing, we inspect roofs for suspected wind and hail damage and document damage with photos when appropriate. If storm damage supports an insurance claim, we can assist throughout the process and meet with the insurance adjuster on-site.
That documentation matters. Most homeowners understandably aren’t trained to distinguish hail strikes from ordinary wear, installation issues, or aging shingles. You shouldn’t have to climb onto the roof and become an amateur roofing detective overnight. Plus, you shouldn’t feel pressured into signing a contract within five minutes of meeting one of these characters.
How to Avoid Roofing Scams After an NWA Storm
If you’re researching how to avoid roofing scams, start by giving yourself permission to ask questions. Severe weather may create urgency around protecting exposed areas, but urgency shouldn’t eliminate due diligence.
Verify that the contractor is properly licensed and insured. Research its history and customer reviews. Ask about workmanship and manufacturer warranties. Find out which roofing manufacturers the company works with. Read the contract carefully, and be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign immediately or makes promises about insurance coverage that seem too good to question.
Credentials can provide additional context, too. Perry Roofing is a CertainTeed ShingleMaster and TAMKO Elite contractor, and we also work with roofing products from manufacturers including GAF, IKO, and Malarkey.
Most importantly, know who will stand behind the installation.
Local Accountability Matters Long After the Storm Clouds Leave
Choosing a local roofing company Northwest Arkansas homeowners know isn’t simply about keeping business local. It gives you an established point of contact before, during, and after your project.
Storm restoration can involve more than installing shingles. There may be temporary protection, damage documentation, insurance paperwork, adjuster meetings, material selection, scheduling, installation, cleanup, and warranty questions afterward.
We can assist with that process from the initial inspection forward. Perry Roofing offers emergency tarping when needed, documents suspected storm damage with photos, assists with insurance claims, and can meet insurance adjusters on-site.
We also take the nuts-and-bolts details seriously. That includes protecting landscaping during the project, cleaning up the property, showing up when promised, and offering manufacturer warranties that can extend up to lifetime coverage depending on the roofing products selected.
Those details aren’t especially dramatic. They matter quite a bit when it’s your house underneath the roof.
When Hail Hits, Slow Down Before You Sign
After a Northwest Arkansas storm, you may need to act quickly to prevent additional damage. Choosing the company that will repair or replace your roof is a different decision.
Ask questions. Check credentials. Understand what an inspection found. Read what you’re signing. Make sure you know who will handle questions if an issue appears after the work is complete. That’s where Perry Roofing can help!
If you suspect hail or wind has damaged your roof, contact us for a free estimate. We’ve been helping Northwest Arkansas homeowners navigate roofing and storm damage since 2008, and we’re ready to give you a clear look at what your roof actually needs.
