Within 48 hours of the September 11 storm there were trucks with out-of-state plates working the streets around Converse and Kirby. Some of those companies are fine. Some will be gone by Thanksgiving, and your warranty goes with them. Here's how to tell the difference in a five-minute conversation.
1. "Where's your office?"
Not a PO box, not a "regional headquarters" in Dallas. Where do you go if the roof leaks in March? A local roofer has a Converse or San Antonio address, a local phone number, and a truck you'll see at the H-E-B on FM 78.
2. "Can I see your general liability insurance certificate?"
Texas doesn't license roofers, so insurance is the paper that matters. Ask for the certificate and call the agent listed on it. If a worker gets hurt on your roof and the company isn't insured, that can become your problem.
3. "Who's actually going to be on my roof?"
Many storm companies are sales organizations that sub everything out to whoever's available. Ask who the crew lead is, how long they've worked with the company, and whether a supervisor will be on site.
4. "What happens with my deductible?"
The only correct answer is "you pay it." Anyone offering to waive it, "eat" it, or hand you a rebate that happens to equal it is offering to commit insurance fraud with your name on the claim. It's been a criminal offense in Texas since 2019.
5. "What's in the contract, and can I take it home?"
A fair contract spells out the shingle brand and line, underlayment, ice-and-water locations, ventilation, decking replacement price per sheet, cleanup, and the payment schedule. You should never be asked to sign before the adjuster has even come out. Watch for "assignment of benefits" language that hands control of your claim to the contractor.
6. "What warranty do you offer, and who backs it?"
There are two: the manufacturer's material warranty (30 years to lifetime on most architectural shingles) and the contractor's workmanship warranty. The second one is only as good as the company's ability to answer the phone in five years.
7. "Can I talk to three customers from the last year?"
Not testimonials on a website. Phone numbers. A roofer who's proud of their work has no trouble producing them.
What we'll tell you if you ask us
We're based in Converse. We're insured and we'll send the certificate before we ever set foot on your roof. You pay your deductible, we never touch it. You get a written estimate before you sign, and you sign nothing until you've decided how you're paying for the work. Book a free inspection or call 956-465-6045.
