Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey made landfall August 25, 2017 at approximately 9:45 P.M. in the small coastal town of Rockport, which is about 130 miles up the coast from where we are located in Brazoria County. The Texas coast has not experienced a hurricane since Ike slammed into the Bolivar Peninsula in 2008. When you own a roofing company, the weather is always a hot topic of conversation. While tropical storms and hurricanes are to be expected when you live on the gulf coast, after nine years of little activity, this one caught us by surprise. Not only did it develop fast, how it was able to reach Category 4 status in such a short period of time will surely be studied by weather experts for months to come.
While no one enjoys seeing the damage and heartache caused by storms, I would be lying if I said roofing companies (and similar contractors) didn't get excited by crazy, unpredictable weather. Whether it's a hail storm or a hurricane, damage from mother nature means money. Contractors will be coming from far and wide for the opportunity to repair your home. As a homeowner or property owner, you need to be very careful in whmo you select to do this work.
The following are some do's and don'ts when it comes to hiring a contractor for your home following a storm:
DON'T hire an out-of-town contractor. I would consider this any company that's principal office is more than 4 hours away. If you hire someone from halfway across your state (Texas is big), or even out of state, what are the chances of them coming back to make repairs if your roof leaks a year or more later? Slim to NONE. This being said, just because the contractor isn't local is not a bad thing. The damage caused by Hurricane Harvey is most likely very extensive, and will take months if not more than a year to repair. Many companies will be needed to meet these needs.
DON'T hire a company that hasn't been in business a minimum of one year. Obviously the longer they have been in business the better.
DON'T allow yourself to feel pressured. Go with your gut instincts. If something doesn't feel right then trust that feeling.
DON'T pay any money up front. EVER. Unless it is a large job and a draw schedule is being used, you should not pay anything until the job is complete. (Most roof jobs are finished in 1-2 days so there should never be a reason to pay any money up front).
DON'T let any work commence until a formal contract is signed by both parties.
DO ask questions. (How long have you been in business, where is your office located, insurance policy, etc.)
DO ask your family, friends, and neighbors who they have used.
DO ask for references.
DO check their standing with the Better Business Bureau.
Our thoughts are with the people of the great state of Texas during this difficult time.
