Severe storms do not just damage roofs. They also bring out people looking to take advantage of homeowners who are stressed, unsure, and trying to protect their families and their biggest investment. After hail, high winds, or tornado activity, it is common for Georgia neighborhoods to see unfamiliar contractors showing up uninvited, knocking on doors, and promising fast, cheap roof repairs.
The truth is, not all roofing companies operate the same way. Knowing the difference between storm chaser roofers and licensed local roofing contractors can save you from costly mistakes, insurance headaches, and poor workmanship. In this guide, I will walk you through how storm chasers operate, why Georgia homeowners are often targeted after storms, and how trusted contractors do things differently so you can make a confident decision and protect your home the right way.
What Is a Storm Chaser in Roofing?
A storm chaser roofer is a contractor who follows severe weather from place to place, looking for quick roofing jobs after big storms. When hail or high winds hit Georgia, these crews often show up within days, knocking on doors and offering fast inspections and immediate repairs.
Most storm chaser roofers are not licensed roofing contractors. They’re usually from out of town or out of state, with no long-term ties to the community. Their goal is speed, not quality. Once the work is done or the check clears, they move on to the next storm.
That’s where problems start. Because storm chasers don’t plan on being around, corners get cut. Installations may not meet Georgia building codes or manufacturer standards. And if leaks, warranty issues, or insurance problems show up later, there’s often no one local to call.
Licensed roofing contractors work differently. They live here, work here, and stand behind their roofs because their reputation depends on it. If someone shows up uninvited after a storm and pushes you to make a quick decision, that’s your cue to slow down and get a second opinion from a trusted local roofer.
Why Georgia Homeowners Are Targets After Severe Storms
Georgia gets hit hard during storm season. Hail, strong winds, and heavy rain can damage entire neighborhoods at once. When that happens, homeowners are suddenly dealing with leaks, insurance claims, and a lot of uncertainty.
Storm chasers know this. They take advantage of the urgency and confusion that follows severe weather. When insurance adjusters are backed up and trusted contractors are booked out, out-of-town crews step in and promise fast solutions.
The problem is that fast doesn’t always mean right. Many homeowners feel pressured to sign something just to get the process started, without realizing they still have time to choose a licensed local roofing contractor who knows Georgia codes, insurance requirements, and how storms impact homes here.
After a storm, the best move is to slow things down. Real roofing contractors aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be here to inspect your roof, help with the insurance process, and make sure repairs are done the right way, not just the fastest way.
Spotting a Storm Chaser: What to Look Out For
Storm chasers tend to follow the same playbook, which makes them easier to spot once you know what to look for. The biggest red flag is urgency. If a contractor shows up at your door and pushes you to sign right away, that’s usually not how licensed contractors operate.
Another warning sign is a lack of local presence. Storm chasers often don’t have a real Georgia business address, a verifiable license number, or branded vehicles. Some may even be driving rentals or out-of-state trucks with no company markings at all.
Be cautious if a contractor cannot show proof of insurance, avoids written estimates, or uses vague contracts. One of the biggest red flags in Georgia is anyone offering to waive or cover your insurance deductible. That is illegal, and reputable local contractors will never suggest it.
If a roofer asks for full payment upfront or tries to scare you into signing by saying you will “miss your chance,” take a step back. A trustworthy local roofing contractor will give you time to ask questions, compare options, and make the right decision for your home.
What Makes Licensed Local Roofing Contractors Different?
In Georgia, it’s important to understand this first. The barrier to entry for residential construction is extremely low. In many cases, someone can legally call themselves a roofer without holding a specific roofing license. That’s exactly why credentials, certifications, and voluntary licensing matter so much when choosing local roofing contractors.
State Licensing That Goes Beyond the Minimum
Clark Brothers holds a Georgia General Contractor license, which allows us to perform new construction and large-scale residential and commercial projects. This license requires testing, financial verification, and ongoing accountability. It’s a higher level of qualification than what most roofers in Georgia carry.
Voluntary Licenses That Signal Higher Standards
We are active members of the Georgia Roofing Contractors Association (GARCA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). These memberships are voluntary, not required, and they reflect a commitment to ethics, continuing education, and best practices. Licensed contractors who pursue these affiliations choose to be held to higher standards.
Manufacturer Certifications That Protect Homeowners
Clark Brothers holds the highest certification available from CertainTeed, placing us in the top one percent of roofing companies nationwide. This allows us to offer manufacturer-backed warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty, not just a contractor promise. CertainTeed also offers military rebates through its Roofs for the Red, White, and Blue program.
We are also a Preferred contractor with James Hardie and work with trusted manufacturers like VinylMax, Pella, and Sherwin-Williams. These partnerships require proper training, proven installation quality, and consistent performance.
At the end of the day, this is what separates storm chasers from licensed roofing contractors. Credentials are not about logos on a website. They are about accountability, protection, and knowing the company is working on your home plans to be here long after the storm has passed.
Verifying a Roofer’s Credentials in Georgia
If there’s one thing I tell homeowners after a storm, it’s this. Don’t take anyone at their word. Reputable contractors expect you to verify their credentials and should make it easy for you to do so.
Here are the steps every Georgia homeowner should take before signing anything.
Step 1: Ask for Their Georgia License Information
Start by asking the contractor for their license number. Licensed contractors should be able to provide it without hesitation. You can verify a Georgia General Contractor license through the Georgia Secretary of State website. If a company avoids this question or gives vague answers, that’s a red flag.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage
Always ask for proof of insurance, including general liability and workers compensation. This protects you if there is property damage or an injury on your roof. Local contractors should provide current insurance certificates, not expired documents or verbal assurances.
Step 3: Check Their Physical Local Presence
Look for a real, local business address and a working phone number. Storm chasers often use temporary addresses or PO boxes. Established contractors operate from a physical location in Georgia and are easy to reach before, during, and after the project.
Step 4: Verify Manufacturer Certifications
Manufacturer certifications matter, especially in a state like Georgia where licensing requirements are limited. Ask which manufacturers the contractor is certified with and at what level. Certifications from companies like CertainTeed or James Hardie require training, quality inspections, and ongoing performance reviews.
Step 5: Read Verified Reviews and Local References
Finally, check verified Google reviews and ask for local references. Look for consistent feedback, not just a handful of recent reviews after a storm. Trusted contractors build their reputation over years, not weeks.
Taking these steps only takes a few minutes, but it can save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration. If a contractor pressures you to skip any of them, that alone tells you everything you need to know.
The Hidden Costs of Hiring a Storm Chaser
Storm chasers often promise fast work and easy insurance handling, but speed usually comes at a cost. Rushed installations, missed code requirements, and cut corners may not show up right away, but they can lead to leaks, warranty issues, and denied insurance claims later.
When problems arise, storm chasers are often gone, leaving homeowners with no local accountability and expensive repairs.
Licensed roofing contractors do it differently. They follow Georgia codes, meet manufacturer standards, and stand behind their work because their reputation depends on it. Waiting for a trusted local roofer is far less risky than hiring someone who disappears after the storm.
Why Georgia Homeowners Trust Local Contractors
Homeowners want reliability, not guesswork. That’s why many people across Georgia choose licensed local roofing contractors with an established presence instead of out-of-town crews. Companies rooted in the area understand local building codes and how Georgia’s weather affects roofs over time.
Hiring close to home also means accountability. These businesses depend on long-term relationships, local reviews, and repeat customers, not one-time jobs after a storm. If something needs attention after the work is done, there’s a real office, a real team, and a clear path to follow-up service.
Georgia-based roofers are also more familiar with insurance requirements and inspection standards. They know how to document storm damage properly, work with adjusters, and make sure repairs meet both code and manufacturer guidelines.
For most homeowners, trust comes down to one simple thing: knowing the company they hire will still be here when the next storm rolls through.
Already Signed with a Storm Chaser? Here’s What to Do
If you’ve already agreed to work with a storm chaser but have second thoughts, don’t panic. There may still be time to make a change.
Start by reviewing the contract. Many agreements include cancellation clauses, especially if the work hasn’t started yet. Call your insurance provider to make sure you’re still protected and to explain the situation. Then, schedule an inspection with a licensed local roofer to evaluate the work (if any has been done) and give a second opinion.
Clark Brothers is happy to provide an inspection and help you determine if corrective work is needed. Even if you’ve already signed, you deserve quality, accountability, and service that lasts.
Protect Your Home with a Licensed Georgia Roofing Contractor
After a storm, it is easy to feel rushed. People show up at your door, throw around big promises, and push you to sign something before you have time to think. That is exactly when homeowners get burned. The wrong contractor can cost you far more than a damaged roof. It can lead to denied insurance claims, failed inspections, and problems that show up months or years later.
This is why licensing and credentials matter. Clark Brothers is a veteran-owned Georgia roofing company with a Georgia General Contractor license, active memberships with GARCA and the NRCA, and the highest level of CertainTeed certification available in the country. That level of certification puts us in the top one percent nationwide and allows us to offer manufacturer-backed warranties, including a 25 year workmanship warranty. Those are protections storm chasers cannot offer.
If your roof took a hit or you are not sure who to trust, slow things down and get a second opinion. Schedule a complimentary roof inspection with Clark Brothers and get a straight answer from a licensed Georgia team that will be here long after the storm is gone. Your home deserves more than a quick fix. It deserves to be done right.
