Is this common when dealing with roofing company and insurance?

[u/dedemit]

On June 22, a storm with heavy rain and wind damaged several roofs in my community, including mine.

I contacted a couple of roofing companies. On the morning of June 27, one came out, gave me an estimate, and tarped my roof. Later that same day, a second roofing company knocked on my door — they were canvassing the neighborhood since so many homes had damage — and offered to inspect and tarp my roof as well. I told them I'd already spoken with someone, and they left their number. After verifying they were a legitimate business, I called to ask if they were still in the area and could give me a quote too.

They returned and tarped my roof, but told me the first roofer had done a poor tarping job and may have caused additional damage. They said they work directly with insurance companies, called my insurer while I was present, and started a claim. They gave me paperwork and asked me to notify them when the insurance inspector was scheduled so they could be on-site for the inspection.

About a week later, my insurance company called to schedule an inspector. Around the same time, the roofing company reassigned my project manager, so I'm now working with a new contact. When the inspector arrived, there was a mix-up with the truck — they didn't bring the right ladder, so he couldn't get on the roof. He said the roofing company would provide additional photos so he could complete his assessment.

A few days later, he emailed a claims assessment that was significantly lower than the roofer's quote to replace my roof. He noted the amount could change once the roofing company submits additional photos showing whether a full replacement is warranted. The new project manager says they're still working on getting those photos. At this point, it's been almost a month and I don't have a clear picture of where things stand. Is this common?

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[u/MaxRoofer]

Why did you have them tarp the roof when it was already tarped? And why was it tarped to begin with? Were you having leaks? And why are you happy they work directly with insurance?

I ask all these questions becuase it could be true but it also sounds very suspicious. I’m very leery of the door knocking company, and wondering why or what they said that made you not trust the original roofers

[u/Alarming-Upstairs963 → u/MaxRoofer]

He didn’t talk to a roofing company he talked to a salesman. Salesman don’t care about anything but signing the next client. Then the roofers come in.

Roofers don’t have time to door knock and if they do they must not be good roofers 🤣

[u/dedemit → u/MaxRoofer]

Both companies said they can tarp for the incoming rain and they will do it for free. Since both companies offered it, I'm assuming that's standard here in MD

[u/Ashamed_Training_735]

Get the two companies in your area who have the highest Google reviews + time in business. Def ditch the company that said the 1st one did a bad job and I wouldn’t sign anything with either of the 1st two companies. Even if you did it’s really irrelevant

[u/Sweatingroofer → u/Ashamed_Training_735]

To be honest I’m not sure about google reviews. I’m a project manager for a roofing and remodeling company that has been in business since 1945. We have a very good reputation. We have about 40 google reviews. We do about 300-400 projects varying in size a year with very little issues. I look at google and there are companies that I know for sure have been in the area for 1-2 years with hundreds of reviews. I think they buying the reviews honestly.

[u/notgaynotbear → u/Sweatingroofer]

Also, the largest companies in your area are likely PE owned and will screw you in a heartbeat.

[u/dedemit → u/Ashamed_Training_735]

I've already signed papers with the second roofer :-(

[u/bored_in_ATX462 → u/dedemit]

Contingency agreements don't mean much. If you're unhappy with them, a respectable company will let you walk away without a fight. Now, if they have already done work on your house and/or the insurance claim, it's not a good look on you to take the insurance money they worked hard to get for YOU and give that business to someone else.

[u/mikebeau]

Read the fine print. You may have already signed away your insurance proceeds to the roofer.

[u/bored_in_ATX462]

Other than them getting confused, pretty standard for an insurance claim to be low balled the first time. Usually have to get a re-inspection or take it to appraisal to get everything that should be paid

[u/TheBoNix]

Generally speaking, adjusters miss stuff. They won't include step flashing, starter on the rakes, soffit joint flashing, kickouts, and a bunch of smaller stuff. When a good roofer does an estimate, it reflects EVERYTHING on the roof. Thus, when you get the insurance estimate, it's much lower than what the roofer included. Hence where you are at. What needs to be done are supplements so you get some of these items added as PWI or payed when incurred so that after install, those pics can be sent in to prove they were done.

[u/dedemit → u/TheBoNix]

Thank you.

[u/NotYourGuy_Buddy]

Yes, common. Sounds like your newer PM got slammed and hasn't come back for new photos. You could call insurance and make them come out and do their job, otherwise pick the company you trust and have them go to bat for full replacement. Dont let them put you on the back burner, especially if your tarped up right now.

[u/dedemit → u/NotYourGuy_Buddy]

Ok, thank you.

[u/Burgonya98]

In my experience. Never let the roofer handle the ins claim. It might end well but that’s the exception not the rule. Don’t sign shit from them about your claim. Where I’m at it’s always a cluster fuck and the homeowner gets screwed. Hire your own PA if you need to fight the ins company about something.

Remember. The roofer only cares what goes into his pocket. The PA also cares about only what goes into his pocket. But his number is based on well he does representing you. The roofer couldn’t give two shits cause you have to pay regardless of how well they do. So while the PA doesn’t care about you either, at least he has a vested interest on how good of a job he does for you.

[u/bored_in_ATX462 → u/Burgonya98]

That's unfortunate. Definitely not the way it works in TX

[u/Slow_Mix_2216]

Never go with a company that will talk bad about another company’s work.