How to Choose a Reliable Roofing Contractor After Storm Damage
Learn how to choose a reliable roofing contractor after storm damage, with tips for checking credentials, comparing estimates, reviewing warranties, and avoiding scams.
Storm damage can be devastating, leaving your roof vulnerable to leaks, mold, structural problems, and costly interior repairs. One thing that worsens the situation is choosing the wrong contractor to fix the damage. That is because poor workmanship and rushed repairs lead to recurring problems.
As a homeowner, it is essential to choose a reliable contractor by verifying their credentials, evaluating estimates, and spotting warning signs. This updated September 2026 guide equips you with the information you need to narrow your options and choose a contractor who will protect your home from further damage.
Verify Local Credentials and Insurance Status
Before hiring a roofing contractor to fix storm damage on your roof, verify their state license. Also, call their insurance provider directly to confirm that general liability and workers' compensation coverage are active.
Why it's important: Local licensing demonstrates that the contractor meets state legal standards and complies with regional building codes. Active liability insurance covers accidental damage to your home.
What to look for: A permanent physical office in your region, direct insurance certificates, active registration or licensing numbers, and factory certifications proving advanced installation training.
Pro tip: Always check the license number or insurance certificate printed on a business card or truck.
Review Contracts and Estimates
One strategy that works is comparing detailed, itemized written estimates from at least three local companies. Before hiring a contractor, have your insurance adjuster assess the damage and provide an estimate. This way, you’ll avoid storm-chasing scams and subpar repairs.
Why it's important: Clear estimates and contracts stop contractors from adding unexpected fees mid-project. Detailed paperwork also ensures that your insurance payout accurately covers storm damage repairs.
What to look for: Clear separation of material costs, labor, permits, tear-off, and debris cleanup, as well as payment terms tied to project progress.
Pro tip: Never sign a contract or pay a deposit on the spot, and always compare several bids to determine the fair market value. Avoid contractors who pressure you to sign immediately.
Watch Out for Red Flags
When looking for a roofing contractor, watch out for unsolicited door-knockers demanding full cash payment upfront. Also, be mindful of those who offer to waive your insurance deductible. This way, you’ll protect yourself from scams and bad work.
Why it's important: Unvetted contractors can take your money and disappear, or leave you legally liable for uninsured workplace injuries. Agreeing to waive or rebate your deductible is also illegal in many places.
What to look for: Be careful of contractors without a permanent local office, a local phone number, or local license plates on their vehicles. Avoid those that do not provide a written contract, itemized cost estimates, or proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Pro tip: Call your insurance agent or check the State Construction Board to verify licensing before signing any papers.
If you’re looking for a contractor to fix your roof after storm damage, you must pay attention to the exact services they offer. Given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that roofers held about 166,900 jobs in the U.S. in 2025, here are four contractors to consider:
Klemm Exteriors (Formerly G. Klemm Roofing Co.)
Pricing/cost ranges: Full residential roof replacements typically range from $8,000 to $15,000 for traditional asphalt shingle roofs, or $30,000 for larger properties.
Insurance claims process and adjuster terminology: The company provides inspections and works with homeowners through the insurance process. They provide documentation for hail and wind damage.
Materials: Asphalt shingles, standing seam metal, corrugated metal, copper, aluminum, EPDM rubber, modified bitumen, and TPO roofing.
Warranty terms: Handled through factory-backed material warranties from major manufacturers like CertainTeed alongside their own local workmanship guarantees.
Repair timeline/turnaround: Basic leak and wind damage repairs are often completed within a few hours to a day. Complete residential roof tear-offs and replacements generally take one to three days.
Contractor vetting criteria: The company has been operating since 1994 and has received a Diamond-Level Award from Atlas Roofing Corporation. It also has a 5/5-star average rating on Google.
Curb appeal/home resale value impact: They tailor roofs to match the architecture of homes in the region.
Landscaping and garden protection during construction: The company uses standard catch-all tarps and specialized netting setups to protect perimeter flowerbeds, lawns, and landscaping structures during projects.
Seasonal roof maintenance/storm prep: They offer seasonal maintenance programs, including gutter guard installations during autumn, ice dam inspections/removal assessments, and holiday lighting services.
Common storm damage types: The company handles damage from hail strikes, wind-related tear-offs, winter ice-dam pooling, and heavy snow loads.
Klemm Exteriors (formerly known as G. Klemm Roofing) is a family-owned roofing and exterior contractor. The company provides residential and commercial property solutions across Fox Valley, the Tri-City area, and the broader Chicagoland suburbs. They offer roof replacements, leak repairs, storm damage assessments, and routine inspections, especially given that the Chicago area averages 245 damaging-wind reports per year.
Pros
Decades of localized services
Diverse material usage
Cons
Closed on weekends for standard operations
Randall and Son
Pricing/cost ranges: The contractor does not offer flat-rate pricing, but provides an instant digital quoting tool alongside free on-site consultations.
Insurance claims process and adjuster terminology: The company works with homeowners navigating storm insurance claims. They handle documentation directly and often work with the field adjuster on site.
Materials: Asphalt shingles, designer shingles, wood shakes, and synthetic shingles.
Warranty terms: The company provides a 10-year workmanship warranty that covers potential installation errors.
Repair timeline/turnaround: For a standard residential single-family home, repairs are completed within one to two days.
Contractor vetting criteria: Randall and Son is a local contractor with over 45 years of operation, licensed and insured, with the required local municipal permits.
Curb appeal/home resale value impact: They focus on exterior aesthetics and coordinate repairs with existing elements such as siding, windows, and gutter guards.
Landscaping and garden protection during construction: The company uses property protection protocols during tear-offs, including heavy-duty tarps to safeguard vegetation, plants, and outdoor features.
Seasonal roof maintenance/storm prep: The contractor offers routine seasonal assessments and maintains gutters during winter to prevent ice dams.
Common storm damage types: They provide repairs for damage caused by hail bruising, high-velocity wind uplift, and impacts from falling tree limbs.
Randall and Son Roofing and Exteriors is a family-owned and operated exterior contracting company in St. Charles, Illinois. According to their LinkedIn profile, the company offers services related to roofing, siding, gutters, and windows. They provide residential roofing and exterior remodeling services, including storm damage roof repair. This company serves the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs, where about 19.7% of homes were built before 1940.
Pros
Fast turnaround times
Transparent estimates and affordable repairs
Cons
High regional demand
S. Taber Roofing, Inc.
Pricing/cost ranges: The company offers free estimates to determine repair costs. Exact pricing depends on the material, the size of the structure, and the scope of repair.
Insurance claims process and adjuster terminology: The company offers insurance claim assistance, coordinating directly with providers and guiding homeowners through the inspection process.
Materials: Architectural asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, metal roofing systems, modified bitumen roof systems, and custom copper roofs.
Warranty terms: The company provides standard manufacturer-backed warranties, such as the TAMKO Limited Warranty programs.
Repair timeline/turnaround: They offer 24-hour emergency services, but standard residential re-roofing typically takes one to three days.
Contractor vetting criteria: The company has operated for over 50 years, is licensed and insured, and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Curb appeal/home resale value impact: They offer repairs that modernize a home's exterior, adding 60% to 80% of the repair cost in home equity.
Landscaping and garden protection during construction: Crews use heavy-duty tarps and debris catchers to protect shrubs, flower beds, and gardens from damage during projects.
Seasonal roof maintenance/storm prep: The contractor offers seasonal debris removal, snow removal from roofs, and flashing inspections.
Common storm damage types: The company repairs damage from hail bruising, wind uplift, and impact trauma.
S. Taber Roofing, Inc. is a family-owned roofing and exterior remodeling contractor based in St. Charles, Illinois. The company provides residential and commercial storm-damage restoration and roof replacements. It also handles general exterior maintenance, especially given that 2.8% of insured homes experienced wind- or hail-related damage between 2018 and 2022 alone. Its services cover multiple counties, including Kane, DuPage, DeKalb, Kendall, and Cook.
Pros
24-hour emergency response for severe damage
Insurance assistance
Cons
Takes a manual evaluation to determine costs
Fox Valley Roofing, Inc.
Pricing/cost ranges: Typically aligns with regional averages, between $8,000 and $15,000 for standard residential shingle replacement.
Insurance claims process and adjuster terminology: The contractor provides insurance claim assistance, especially where out-of-pocket costs are limited to the homeowner's deductible.
Materials: Asphalt shingles and metal roofing.
Warranty terms: Cover material defects and installation errors.
Repair timeline/turnaround: Standard residential roof replacements are completed within one to three days. Turnaround time depends on weather constraints and insurance approval bottlenecks.
Contractor vetting criteria: A state roofing license and general liability/workers' comp insurance.
Curb appeal/home resale value impact: They install roofs that modernize a home's appearance, often recouping 60–70% of the cost in home equity.
Landscaping and garden protection during construction: Crews use tarps or specialized catch-all netting frameworks to protect flowerbeds, shrubs, and decks from falling debris and stray nails.
Seasonal roof maintenance/storm prep: This contractor offers gutter cleaning to avoid ice damming, trims hanging tree branches, and provides professional inspections.
Common storm damage types: They repair roofs damaged by hail and wind.
Fox Valley Roofing, Inc., a roofing contractor, serves both residential and commercial clients across Illinois. They provide permanent roof repair, roof replacements, and gutter cleaning. Given that wind damage accounts for 21.3% of property claims, this company focuses heavily on insurance-covered restorations.
Pros
Guides homeowners through insurance claims
Handles both commercial and residential needs
Cons
Limited online portfolio and track record
Comparing Roofing Contractors Offering Storm Damage Repairs
To choose a roofing contractor that will create the best results, you must compare their services and features. Determine whether you need help with insurance claims or landscaping protection. Here is how the above contractors stand side-by-side:
Conclusion
The Problem: Choosing a reliable roofing contractor after storm damage can be challenging. Homeowners must consider licensing, insurance, pricing, repair timelines, warranty coverage, expertise, and the contractor’s ability to assist with insurance claims.
Key Takeaway: The right roofing contractor depends on your specific needs. That is why you must compare each contractor’s experience, materials, warranties, turnaround times, and services before making a decision.
Next Steps
Verify the contractor’s license, insurance, and local credentials
Compare detailed, itemized estimates from multiple contractors
Review warranty coverage, materials, and repair timelines
Ask about insurance claim assistance and storm-damage experience
Check for red flags such as upfront cash demands or pressure to sign immediately
Choose a contractor that fits your property’s repair needs and budget
FAQ
What should I document after storm damage?
Take photographs and videos of visible roof damage, damaged gutters, siding, windows, and landscaping. Document interior leaks before cleanup or repairs begin.
Should I contact my insurance company before hiring a roofing contractor?
Contact your insurer first to understand coverage, deductibles, and inspection requirements. Your insurer will also clarify the documentation needed before authorizing storm-damage repairs.
What questions should I ask a roofing contractor before hiring?
Ask about licensing, insurance, warranties, experience, materials, and estimated timeline. Inquire about their payment terms, cleanup procedures, permits, and how they handle unexpected damage.
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