How to Choose a Roofer in Texas and Spot Storm Chasers

Published October 16, 2026 by Roaring Ranger Roofing

Knowing how to choose a roofer matters every time, but it matters even more after a hailstorm, when trucks with unfamiliar logos start rolling through the neighborhood and door hangers pile up on the porch. Your roof protects everything under it, and you want the person working on it to be reachable, upfront, and still around if a question comes up later. This guide covers the questions worth asking any roofer, the warning signs of a storm chaser, and a few Texas laws every homeowner should know.

Start before you need one

The calmest time to find a roofer is before a storm. If you already know who you'd call, you're less likely to hand the job to whoever knocks first. Save a local number in your phone, and if you're curious about your roof's condition, schedule a free roof inspection on a sunny day when nobody is in a hurry.

Questions to ask any roofer

These questions help you compare contractors on equal footing. A trustworthy roofer will answer them without hesitation.

Where is your business located? Ask for a physical address and a local phone number, not just a cell number on a magnetic truck sign. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends verifying a contractor's name, address, and phone number.

What exactly will you do? The scope should spell out whether the job is a repair or a full replacement, whether the old roof comes off, how damaged decking will be handled, and which materials will be used. TDI advises making sure your contract lists the materials.

How do you handle surprises? Rotten decking or hidden water damage sometimes turns up mid-job. Ask how the contractor will tell you, and how changes get approved before extra work happens.

What's the payment schedule? Find out when payments are due and what each one covers. TDI warns homeowners to be wary of large or full payments up front and not to make the final payment until the work is done.

How do you deal with my insurance claim? A roofer can explain damage and discuss estimates with your insurer. But under Texas law, a contractor can't act as your public adjuster on a property they're working on, and can't advertise that they'll negotiate your claim. If a roofer promises to "handle everything" with your insurance company or speak for you on coverage, be cautious.

Who do I call if something goes wrong later? You want a real person at a real number, not a sales office that packs up when storm season ends.

Storm chaser red flags

"Storm chasers" are contractors who follow severe weather from town to town. Some do honest work, but the business model makes it hard to reach them once they've moved on. Watch for these signs:

• Door-to-door pitches right after a storm. TDI advises being wary of contractors who go door to door looking for business.
• Pressure to sign today. Claims that a "special" expires tonight or that your insurer requires a decision immediately.
• A paper to "just let us inspect." TDI warns that some scammers get homeowners to sign a contract by calling it an estimate or a release.
• Contracts with blank spaces. Never sign one. Blanks can be filled in later.
• "Homeowner agrees to repairs for the value of insurance proceeds." TDI cautions against this kind of wording because it can hand the contractor your entire claim payment.
• Cash only, or money demanded before materials are delivered.
• Out-of-state plates and no local address.
• An offer to waive or cover your deductible. More on that below.

Texas laws worth knowing

Your deductible is yours to pay

Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires the policyholder to pay any deductible on a property insurance claim. Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 27.02 makes it an offense for a contractor to waive, absorb, or rebate the deductible, or to help a homeowner avoid paying it, without the insurer's consent. Your insurance company can ask for proof that you paid your deductible. If a roofer offers to "take care of" your deductible, TDI's advice is simple: find a new contractor. You can report the offer to the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection hotline.

Contracts paid by insurance carry a deductible notice

When a roofing contract is expected to be paid at least partly from insurance proceeds and meets the size threshold set in Section 27.02, the law requires it to include a bold notice explaining that the homeowner must pay the deductible. If your contract for an insurance job doesn't have it, ask why.

Limits on up-front payment after a disaster

Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 58 covers disaster remediation contracts. Among other things, it limits when a contractor without an established local address in your county or a neighboring county can require payment before work begins. TDI sums it up this way: after a disaster, out-of-town contractors can't ask for a down payment before they start.

Roofers aren't public adjusters

Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.163 bars a contractor from acting as a public adjuster, or advertising to adjust claims, on a property where they provide or may provide roofing work. Roaring Ranger Roofing stays on the right side of that line. We explain how claims work, and that's where it ends: no public adjusting, no negotiating. See our insurance claims page for what that looks like.

Comparing bids

TDI recommends getting more than one bid. When you line them up, compare the scope, not just the bottom line:

• Tear-off or overlay
• Decking repair plan
• Underlayment and flashing
• Ventilation changes
• Cleanup
• Payment schedule

A bid that looks far lower than the others may be missing items or cutting corners. Our breakdown of what drives roof replacement cost explains what goes into a complete scope.

Take your time

Unless water is actively coming in, you usually have time to make a careful choice. Read your policy, call your insurer with questions, and don't let anyone rush you. If you can't tell whether a targeted roof repair will do or a complete roof replacement is due, get a professional opinion first. Our earlier post on what to do after a storm, from the ground covers safe first steps.

A local number when you need it

Our office sits on Main Street in Ranger (315 W Main St), and we work in Ranger, Cisco, Stephenville, and towns around them. Common questions are answered on the storm and hail damage page and the FAQ.

Reach us at (254) 488-1342 to arrange a free roof inspection, or request a free estimate. The phone line handles emergencies 24/7.