Answer:
Unfortunately, the State of Texas does not have any licensing or regulations relating to roofing contractors. One is required to have a license to fish in Texas, but not to remove and replace the most important component of your home or business – the roof that protects you, your family, and your property from the elements. Without licensing, choosing a roofing contractor is most definitely a ‘BUYER BEWARE’ situation.

It is disheartening to receive calls from consumers who have been ripped-off by contractors who have come into the area chasing storm damage. We see a lot of this because we are often called upon to solve problems caused by fly-by-night contractors after they have taken the money and run.

On a positive note, Paul Easterling – an owner of Aztec Roofing & Siding – currently serves as Vice-President and Government Relations Chairman for the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and has been working diligently with legislators to create legislation designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors. Unfortunately, such legislation did not pass during the recent session. Until it does, the best course of action is to make sure the roofer you choose has been certified by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.

The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas is the only organization in Texas that provides home-owners and business owners with the assurance that their Certified members are insured, bonded and certified to (1) operate a business, (2) properly install residential roof systems, and (3) properly install commercial roof systems. In short, RCAT’s certification process is similar to licensing requirements in other states. Please be advised that while any roofing contractor can join RCAT, only a select few have earned the certification by successfully passing the requisite written exams and meeting the other criteria, such as length of time in business, standing in the community, references, etc.

PROTECT YOURSELF
CALL THE ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
And Ask For A CERTIFIED Roofing Contractor In Your Area
(512) 251-7690
Don’t Allow Yourself To Be A Victim

Answer:
This depends on your particular insurance policy. The majority of home owners whom we have helped over the past 32 years have had Home Owners policies which provide ‘replacement cost’ coverage (RCC).

If your policy provides RCC, your insurance company should pay for the actual replacement cost of the roof system minus your deductible. Normally, the insurance company will issue two checks. The first check will be issued at the time of the adjustment. The second and final check will be issued when your insurance company has received proof that the roof system has been replaced. Such proof usually takes the form of a completed invoice from the involved roofing company.

Here is a hypothetical breakdown to illustrate how payment is typically made under RCC policies when the adjuster determines that hail has “totaled” a roof: (assumes only the roof is involved)

Important: The 2nd check should be the same as the Depreciation amount if the policyholder is charged by his roofing contractor at least as much as what the adjuster allowed in his estimate. (If not, the insurance company will likely diminish the amount of the 2nd check by the difference.) Note that the total of the 1st and 2nd checks would be the same as the Whole Loss minus the deductible.

Answer:
With a less severe storm, the answer would be to let your insurance company’s adjuster come out first and render his opinion. However, this recent storm has caused very significant damage which may lead to leaks if the problems are not addressed soon. Thus it would be in your best interest to have one of our reps conduct an inspection ASAP.

Our trained, professional representatives will at your request provide a detailed report including digital photos of critical areas and concise explanations as to how expensive consequential damage due to leaks can be avoided.

The sooner we are aware of your particular problems, the sooner we will be able to handle any temporary repairs which may be needed in order to get your home or business in a safe, dry condition in the shortest possible time.

Answer:
Be careful here. Detecting damage to a roof system from the ground can be difficult and sometimes impossible. Hail causes damage to the fiberglass mat which is encapsulated in asphalt and coated with colored granules. In many cases, one can only see bruising of the asphalt and fractures of the mat when in very close proximity to the shingle (18 to 24 inches).

That said, possible evidence or concern of hail damage to your roof can be assumed if one sees any of the following:
• Heavy granule loss at downspouts or at the perimeter of the home immediately after hail event.
• Damage to vehicles in your driveway or street.
• Heavy loss of vegetation, small to medium limbs from trees in your yard.
• Significant (deep/heavy) marks in wood privacy fences.
• Window screens torn or damaged.
• Visual evidence of indentations in rooftop turbines, box vents, or other flashings.
Evidence of these findings does not guarantee that you have hail damage. However, the converse is also true.

You can call Aztec Roofing & Siding to conduct a rooftop inspection of your roof system at no charge. We have been serving Austin and Central Texas for 32 years and are considered experts in dealing with insurance losses. In fact, we have an insurance adjuster on staff to help our customers with problematic claims.