Roofing Companies (insurance, brokers, house)

[mmpotash]

I'll be moving into a house at the end of July and will need to have a new roof installed. I've heard that the hail storm created a lot of work for roofing companies. How long is the backlog and are they charging more than normal?

[gooberlx]

There were roofers scouring the neighborhoods and on my doorstep literally minutes after the hail finished. They had to have been driving through it to get there.

With the absurd number of roofers I've seen, it's hard to imagine a long backlog. However I would definitely check angie's-list or something for customer reviews. Half these guys I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them. We actually called the cops to cite one for trespassing when he just let himself on to our roof without even asking us.

I kinda doubt they're charging more than normal, regarding hail damage, since most replacement work will be covered by insurance claims. In your case, be sure to get multiple estimates.

[OneMoreMove]

Roofers charge crazy rates to begin with, so I don't think they have inflated anything. They are the dry cleaners of the home maintenance world - they charge high rates because they can

We used D-7 and we were reasonably satisfied, although there were some communications problems. There is a company called Roof Brokers that provides a good service, in my opinion. My advice would be to collect information and be very clear on what you want/need before you get started - there is a lot of fudge factor in roofing. For example, one roofer may say that you need all new backing while another may disagree, etc.

[chilicheesefries]

They charge high rates because it's HARD work. I once worked on a roofing demo on the ground floor and it was awful hard work and imaging doing in on a roof! That was an eye-opening experience. Our neighbors had their roof done and one of the guys fell off. Make sure whoever you have is insured or you'll have one heck of a mess on your hands. Or as the previous poster said if they go on your roof, call the police if for no reason than to show they were trespassing in case something does happen.

We've had several roofers come through the area asking if we'd like a 'Free Roof Inspection'. I dislike door-to-door solicitors in the first place and when they've been coming every evening for the last couple weeks I tend to be not so nice. My thought is that when I need a service I'll come to you and get at least 3 quotes.