You’ve weeded out the obvious scams — now you’re choosing between real contractors. Here’s how to do the homework that separates a good roofer from a great one, and what all those certifications and review scores actually mean.
What Questions Should I Ask a Roofer?
Ask these, and pay attention to how directly they’re answered: Are you insured — and can you send certificates? Where is your office? Who actually supervises my job? What brand and line of shingle are you installing, and to what specification? What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long, separate from the manufacturer warranty? How do you handle insurance supplements? Can I see photos of recent local jobs and talk to recent customers? How do you handle unexpected decking damage? What’s the payment schedule? A quality contractor welcomes every one of these. If a roofer gets impatient with due diligence before the contract, imagine the conversation after a problem.
What Does “HAAG Certified” (or BEI Credentialed) Mean?
HAAG Engineering’s inspector certification teaches a standardized methodology for identifying storm damage — distinguishing hail impacts from wear, defects, and mechanical damage. It’s a respected credential, one of several professional paths in storm damage assessment. APGC’s inspectors hold Building Experts Institute (BEI) credentials covering hail damage identification, wind damage identification, and building code for asphalt shingle roof systems — the same forensic discipline: test squares, strike counting, mat-fracture assessment, evidence-based reporting. Why care? Because your claim lives or dies on whether damage is documented to a standard adjusters respect.
BBB Ratings and Google Reviews: How to Actually Use Them
On Google, look at the pattern: review volume accumulated over time (not 40 reviews in one month), specific project details in the text, and how the company responds to complaints. On BBB: accreditation means a commitment to standards; the letter grade reflects complaint history; and the complaints themselves — with responses — are often more informative than the grade. Cross-check both against the company’s claimed address and years in business, then ask for two or three recent local customers you can contact. A confident contractor never minds the homework.
Local Contractor vs. National Company for Hail Claims
Both can do good work, but for storm claims local wins on what matters most. Accountability: a Richardson contractor with a local reputation has everything riding on your satisfaction. Claim knowledge: local firms work with the same regional carriers, adjusters, and Texas-specific rules every week. Responsiveness: when a warranty question surfaces in two years, you want the company fifteen minutes away, not a national call center.
Getting Multiple Estimates: What’s Normal?
For retail work, two or three estimates is smart — compare scope, materials, and warranty, not just price. Insurance claims work differently: your payout is set by the adjuster’s approved scope, not the lowest bid, so your cost is your deductible either way. What you’re actually choosing on an insurance job is competence — who documents thoroughly, supplements properly, installs to spec, and stands behind the work. One caution: don’t sign multiple contingency agreements, and be wary of bids dramatically under the insurance scope.
Get a Free, Photo-Documented Roof Inspection
American Prime General Construction is a veteran-led, BBB A+ accredited roofing contractor based in Richardson, serving the entire DFW metroplex. If hail has hit your neighborhood, our BEI-credentialed inspectors will document exactly what the storm did to your home — free, with no obligation. Call or text our 24/7 storm line at (469) 888-8326 or request your free inspection online.
One credential worth asking about: forensic inspection certification. A BEI certified forensic roof inspector has been trained and tested specifically on how asphalt shingle roofs fail and how to document it. APGC offers certified forensic roof inspections starting at $800, and our certification is verifiable in the public BEI directory.
This article is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal or insurance advice. American Prime General Construction is a general contractor — not a public adjuster, insurance agent, or law firm — and does not adjust, negotiate, or settle insurance claims on behalf of policyholders. For advice about your specific policy or claim, contact your insurance agent or carrier, the Texas Department of Insurance (tdi.texas.gov, 1-800-252-3439), a licensed public adjuster, or an attorney.