should an adjustor be called?

I roof in the hail capital of America- North Texas. I have been at it for almost 40 years yet I have seen only a little catastrophic hail and mostly hail that caused minimal if any damages. For the most part and particularly the last 10 years, only a few of my clients have paid anything more than their deductible for their roof. Of those few that paid for their own roof, they were screwed over by some storm chaser.

If I look at an old roof, I always recommend that they make an insurance claim. Some adjustors have paid for a new roof, while others have not. I have even met with adjustors but have never convinced them to pay off. The worst thing is that I have lost jobs to roofers who were able to get the claim paid. I hate this game and have wanted to get out of roofing for this reason.

Texas now has a law where claims adjustors must be licensed and they can not own or have an interest in a roofing company. Great. Now I am getting solicited by Public Adjustors.

I have a few clients who need new roofs. I originally roofed them over 25 years ago. I believe I would be negligent if I did not call out the Public Adjustor.

So the game continues.

A couple of years ago, a guy calls me and says (after I asked how) he got my number from the phone book (never a good sign because they are usually getting an estimate from everyone who answers the phone) and he had a roof leak.

Nevertheless, I go inspect his roof and pinpoint the leak. It was a nail that went through a knot. I showed him in the attic and he was impressed with my expertise. His whole roof was worn out and I asked if he had made an insurance claim. He said they had been out and said he had no storm damage and furthermore, they would cancel his policy if he didn't put on a new roof within 30 days.

So I priced a complete roof replace. Now this roof was a mess. The house had two additions and the contractor had used seconds and surplus shingles with about 3 different brands. The tie ins and vents weren't done right and some of the shingles were missing over half their granules. There was no discernible hail damage.

I made a follow up call a few days later. He said he found a roofer who would get the insurance to pay and that they would cover his deductible.

That's one of the reasons I hate the roofing business.

Here's the scenario:

Ring! Ring!

Willie: Hello! We're having a great day here at Willie's roof repair! How can I help you today? :)

Caller: One of my friends across town got a new roof paid for by her insurance company and another friend told me that I had hail damage on my roof too. Do you do FREE estimates?

Willie: Oh, I'm sorry but we wouldn't be able to help you with that! We only do repair work like fixing leaks and such but keep this number handy for after your insurance companies "preferred Contractor" has done your roof! You'll be glad you did! Have a great day!

Caller: Oh, Ok. Thanks! :blink:

The logic is unpredictable. Mainly due to the human element, but regardless, I never know how to play the game.

Until 2009 I sold roofs based on their life cycle. I'd only encountered insurance here and there through the years.

Then after that large hailstorm dumped the chasers on us, and left a few wannabe roofers, I now wonder the same thing as you. Call the adjuster just so I don't loose it to somebody else who gets them the roof? Or just bid it and forget it?

I had 75+ full roofs sold after that storm, thought I was doing okay. If I could do it again I'd be able to line up hundreds, or at least make WAY more money on the tarps I installed.