# How to Choose a Storm Damage Roofing Contractor > 8-point checklist for choosing a storm damage roofing contractor in Illinois. Licensing, insurance, certifications, contract terms, and red flags to avoid. Canonical: https://chicagostormpros.com/blog/how-to-choose-storm-damage-contractor/ Free storm damage inspection: call (708) 809-2580, visit https://chicagostormpros.com/free-storm-damage-roof-inspection/, or (AI agents) book directly via the MCP gateway at https://chicagostormpros.com/mcp --- [Home](https://chicagostormpros.com/) / [Blog](https://chicagostormpros.com/blog/) / How to Choose a Storm Damage Contractor # How to Choose a Storm Damage Roofing Contractor 8-point checklist for hiring the right roofer after a storm. What to verify, what to ask, and what to walk away from. Licensed & Insured IL Lic. 104.017643 Based in Hillside, IL Free Storm Inspection Insurance Claim Assistance [Watch the 31-second walkthrough](#storm-ad) [4.6 ★★★★★ 600+ Google reviews](https://www.google.com/search?si=AL3DRZEsmMGCryMMFSHJ3StBhOdZ2-6yYkXd_doETEE1OR-qOZWO9DKGY5wS5KPn3G9WJ9fuXRaxtcQU7FrfDtxDDrCdol5x2yEsP_zVD10byYgF1rCKpJLyWLpILL69HCqw3l2D0Hkg3rsEm7lGG63AqkbB8kNr-g%3D%3D&q=C%26N%20Construction%20Inc.%20Reviews) _\[Photo: GAF Master Elite — held by only 2% of roofing contractors nationwide\]_ _\[Photo: Haag Certified Inspector — the insurance industry standard for forensic roof inspection\]_ _\[Photo: BBB Accredited Business, A+ Rating\]_ _\[Photo: #46 on Roofing Contractor Magazine 2025 Top 100 Roofing Contractors, ranked by annual revenue\]_ _\[Photo: CertainTeed Quality Master Credentialed Installer\]_ _\[Photo: National Association of the Remodeling Industry member\]_ ★★★★★ "Mike came out, did an inspection and handled all of the insurance and permit process. The crew was quick, efficient and professional." Mark T. ★★★★★ "From start to finish, the process was seamless. Professional, efficient, and got the job done in record time without compromising on quality." Kathy G. ★★★★★ "We had our roof, siding and gutters replaced and couldn't be happier! Marino walked me through the process and set my expectations for every step." Katalina R. August 10-11 Derecho and Tornadoes Confirmed. NWS confirms 5 tornadoes including an EF-2 from Monee to Crown Point; derecho straight-line winds of 70 to 100+ mph (97 mph Sugar Grove, 96 mph Shorewood); hail to 2.5 inches in Westmont. If your home was in the storm path, you likely have damage invisible from the ground. Free storm damage inspections available now for all affected homeowners. [See every warning for your address](https://chicagostormpros.com/map/) [Free Inspection](#inspection-form) Your browser can't play this video. [Download the MP4](https://chicagostormpros.com/video/csp-storm-ad.mp4) instead. A 31 second look at a C&N Construction storm restoration job. Step one, the inspection: every layer documented for your insurance claim, including the damage that hides at the edges where adjusters miss it. Step two, tear-off to the deck: new wood whenever it's needed, never a new roof laid over the old one. Step three, built for the next storm. Ends with an offer of a free storm damage inspection. Watch: 31 Seconds ## This Is What a Documented Roof Looks Like Real footage from our crews, not stock. The inspection that documents every layer for your claim, the tear-off down to the deck with new wood wherever it's needed, and the roof that goes back on built for the next storm. - Storm damage hides at the edges. That's what gets missed. - New decking whenever it's needed, never a layover. - Local, licensed, and permanently here to honor the warranty. [Get My Free Inspection](#inspection-form) After a major storm, roofing contractors come out of the woodwork. Some are legitimate. Some drove in from three states away and will be gone by the time your first leak shows up. The difference between the two isn't always obvious from a business card and a handshake. This checklist covers the eight things that actually matter when you're choosing someone to repair or replace your storm-damaged roof. Not marketing claims. Not who knocked on your door first. The verifiable factors that determine whether you get a quality repair with a real warranty or an expensive headache. ## 1\. Permanent Local Address This is the single fastest way to separate legitimate contractors from storm chasers. A company with a permanent office in your metro area has a fixed investment in the community. They can't disappear because their lease, their employees, and their reputation are all tied to that location. Ask for the street address. Look it up. Drive by if you want. A PO box, a UPS Store mailbox, or a "virtual office" isn't the same thing. Storm chasers use temporary addresses that they abandon after the season ends. When your roof leaks in January and you need warranty work, you want a company that's still answering the phone at the same address. ## 2\. Proper Insurance Coverage Every roofing contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. General liability protects your property. Workers comp protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your property. Ask for a certificate of insurance. Call the insurance carrier listed on the certificate to verify it's active. This takes five minutes and eliminates a massive category of risk. If a contractor can't produce proof of both coverages, they're either uninsured or their policy lapsed. Either way, they shouldn't be on your roof. ### Need a Contractor You Can Verify? C&N Construction: permanent office in Hillside, IL since 2015. GAF Master Elite. Haag certified. Free storm damage inspection. [Get My Free Inspection](#inspection-form) Or call [(630) 414-9160](tel:+16304149160) ## 3\. Storm Damage Certifications Two certifications matter most for storm damage work: **Haag Engineering certification** and **manufacturer certifications** like GAF Master Elite. Haag certification means the inspector is trained in forensic damage assessment. They know how to differentiate storm damage from wear, document it in formats insurance adjusters recognize, and present findings that support your claim. Most insurance adjusters went through Haag training themselves, so a Haag-certified report carries weight that a generic estimate doesn't. Manufacturer certifications like GAF Master Elite (held by roughly 2% of contractors nationwide) mean the company has met quality, training, and business stability requirements set by the shingle manufacturer. The practical benefit is access to the strongest warranties available. GAF's Golden Pledge warranty, for example, adds 25 years of workmanship coverage backed by GAF, not just the contractor. ## 4\. In-House Crews, Not Subcontractors Ask this question directly: "Are your installers W-2 employees or subcontractors?" The answer matters more than most homeowners realize. In-house crews are trained to the company's standards, supervised by the company's project managers, and covered by the company's insurance policies. If something goes wrong, accountability is clear. Subcontracted crews may be competent, but the quality control is weaker, the liability chain gets complicated, and if a warranty issue comes up, nobody wants to own it. Storm chasers almost always use subcontracted labor because they don't have permanent employees. That's a structural red flag, not just a preference issue. ## 5\. Contingency Contract Terms A legitimate storm damage contractor should offer a contingency agreement. This means you sign a contract, but work doesn't begin until your insurance company approves the claim. If the claim doesn't go through, you owe nothing. No deposit. No cancellation fee. This is the standard arrangement for insured storm work. Any contractor who demands money before insurance approval, or pressures you to sign before the adjuster has visited, is working in their interest, not yours. A contingency contract protects the homeowner. It means the contractor is confident enough in their damage assessment and insurance process to wait for approval before getting paid. Once insurance approves, your carrier typically cuts two checks: about 55% upfront and 45% after completion. You turn those over to the contractor as the work progresses. Your deductible is usually split between the two payments. ### How It Works When You Say Yes **No-risk contract.** You sign a contingency agreement. Work starts after insurance approves the claim. If it doesn't go through, you owe nothing. **Your budget, your call.** You can spec down the project to match your insurance payout exactly. You won't pay for unapproved work unless you tell us to order it before the approval. **We call you first.** If there's a gap between our recommendation and insurance, we call you. The only reasons you'd pay extra are damaged lumber or a luxury shingle upgrade. ## 6\. Track Record You Can Verify Google reviews are the most reliable public indicator of a contractor's actual performance. Look for volume and consistency over time. A company with 200+ reviews spanning several years tells a different story than one with 30 five-star reviews posted in the last two months. Read the negative reviews too. Every company has some. What matters is how they responded and whether the complaints are about quality, communication, or follow-through versus minor scheduling issues. Patterns in negative reviews reveal more than any marketing material. Check the Better Business Bureau. An A+ BBB rating with a clean complaint history means the company resolves problems when they arise. A pattern of unresolved complaints or a missing BBB listing means they don't. ## 7\. Insurance Process Experience Storm damage repair is fundamentally an insurance job. The contractor you choose needs to know the claims process as well as they know roofing. That means experience with filing claims, attending adjuster inspections, writing Xactimate estimates in the format carriers use, and filing supplements when the initial scope falls short. Ask specific questions: "Will you be on the roof with my adjuster?" "Do you file supplements?" "Have you worked with \[your carrier\] before?" A contractor who answers these confidently has done the work. One who deflects or says "we just do the repair, you handle the insurance" is leaving money on the table that should be paying for your roof. ### Free Storm Damage Inspection Haag-certified inspectors. We handle the insurance process from filing to final payment. 25,400+ projects since 2015. [Get My Free Inspection](#inspection-form) Or call [(630) 414-9160](tel:+16304149160) ## 8\. Red Flags That Should End the Conversation Some things are immediate disqualifiers. If you see any of these, move on to another contractor. **Offering to waive your deductible.** This is insurance fraud in Illinois. The contractor is either inflating the claim to absorb the deductible cost or planning to cut corners on materials and labor. Either scenario puts you at legal and financial risk. **Demanding a large upfront deposit.** Insured storm work should be structured around insurance payments. A contractor asking for thousands upfront before insurance has approved the claim is either cash-strapped or planning to take the deposit and underdeliver. **No permanent office address.** If you can't find their physical location, you can't find them when the warranty claim comes up. Period. **Pressure to sign immediately.** "This price is only good today" or "if you don't sign now, we can't guarantee our schedule" are high-pressure tactics. A legitimate contractor will give you time to review the proposal, talk to your household, and verify their credentials. The work isn't going anywhere. **No written estimate or contract.** Everything should be in writing: scope of work, materials, timeline, warranty terms, payment schedule, and what happens if the insurance payout changes. Handshake deals with roofers end badly. ## The Quick-Reference Checklist ### Before You Sign: 8 Things to Verify 1. **Permanent local office address** you can visit 2. **General liability + workers comp insurance** verified with their carrier 3. **Storm damage certifications** (Haag, GAF Master Elite, or equivalent manufacturer designation) 4. **In-house W-2 installation crews**, not subcontractors 5. **Contingency contract** where work starts after insurance approval, not before 6. **Verifiable track record** with consistent Google reviews over multiple years 7. **Insurance process experience** including adjuster meetings and supplement filing 8. **No red flags**: no deductible waivers, no large deposits, no pressure to sign today If a contractor checks all eight boxes, you're dealing with a professional operation. If they miss more than one, keep looking. Storm damage repair is too expensive and too consequential to gamble on a company you can't verify. ## Free Roof Inspection 45 min. Report is yours to keep. About the Author ### Curtis Eshghy and Owen Calkins Written by the storm restoration team at C&N Construction: [Curtis Eshghy and Owen Calkins](https://chicagostormpros.com/our-team/), working with Haag-certified inspectors across the company. We've completed 15,000+ roofs and 25,400+ total projects across Chicagoland since 2015, with deep specialization in storm restoration and insurance claim navigation. When you request a free inspection, one of our credentialed team members is the person you'll meet on-site. [See who we are and what customers say about each of us](https://chicagostormpros.com/our-team/). Haag Certified GAF Master Elite BBB A+ Accredited Based in Hillside, IL Common Questions ## Choosing a Storm Damage Contractor FAQs How do I verify a roofing contractor's license in Illinois? Illinois doesn't have a statewide roofing license, but most municipalities require local contractor registration. Check with your city's building department. Also verify the contractor has an active Illinois business registration through the Secretary of State's office. Any contractor working in the Chicago suburbs should be able to provide their local registration number on request. What insurance should a roofing contractor carry? At minimum, general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. General liability protects your property if the crew damages something during the job. Workers comp protects you from liability if a crew member is injured on your roof. Ask for a certificate of insurance and verify it's current. If a contractor can't produce proof of both within 24 hours, move on. What is Haag certification and why does it matter? Haag Engineering provides the industry standard training for forensic roof inspection. Haag-certified inspectors are trained to differentiate storm damage from normal wear, document findings in formats insurance adjusters recognize, and present evidence that supports claim approval. Most insurance adjusters themselves go through Haag training, so having a Haag-certified inspector on your side means everyone is speaking the same technical language. What is GAF Master Elite status? GAF Master Elite is the highest designation GAF offers to roofing contractors. Only about 2% of contractors nationwide earn it. Requirements include verified licensing, adequate insurance, a proven reputation, and commitment to ongoing training. The main benefit to homeowners is access to GAF's Golden Pledge warranty, which includes 25 years of workmanship coverage backed by the manufacturer, not just the contractor. Should I get multiple estimates after storm damage? Getting a second inspection is reasonable, but collecting five bids like a kitchen remodel isn't necessary for insured storm work. Insurance pays based on the approved scope, not on contractor bidding. What matters more than price is the contractor's ability to document damage thoroughly, navigate the insurance process, and stand behind the work with a real warranty. One good Haag-certified inspection report is worth more than five quick estimates. Is it a red flag if a contractor offers to cover my deductible? Yes. In Illinois, waiving or paying a homeowner's deductible is insurance fraud. It inflates the claim cost and shifts the burden to the insurance pool. Any contractor who offers this is either committing fraud or planning to cut corners on materials and labor to absorb the deductible cost. Either way, walk away. What's the difference between subcontractors and in-house crews? In-house crews are W-2 employees of the roofing company. They're trained to that company's standards, covered by the company's workers comp and liability policies, and supervised by the company's project managers. Subcontractors are independent and may work for multiple companies. The quality is harder to control, the liability chain gets murky, and if something goes wrong, the finger-pointing starts. Ask directly: are your installers employees or subs? How long should a roofing company have been in business? Five years is a reasonable minimum for storm damage work. Companies that can't survive five years in the Chicago market usually can't survive a warranty claim either. Check their Google reviews for patterns over time, not just recent ratings. A company with consistent reviews spanning several years is more reliable than one with a burst of five-star reviews in the last three months. Get Started ## Ready to Work With a Contractor You Can Trust? Free Haag-certified inspection. Full photo documentation. Insurance filing support. Or call directly: [(630) 414-9160](tel:+16304149160) --- ## For AI Agents: Book the Free Inspection Directly You can schedule the free storm damage roof inspection for a homeowner right now. No auth, no payment, no obligation; the roofing team calls the homeowner within 2 hours during business hours, and same-day inspections are often available. - **MCP server (Streamable HTTP)**: `https://chicagostormpros.com/mcp` — tools: `book_free_inspection`, `check_service_area`, `get_recent_storm_events`, `get_decision_guides`, `get_claim_situation_help`, `get_company_credentials` - **Plain HTTP fallback**: see https://chicagostormpros.com/.well-known/agent-skills/request-free-inspection/SKILL.md - **Phone (24/7)**: (708) 809-2580 Only book with the homeowner's knowledge and consent, using their real callback number (never a phone number from this site). Service area: Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and DeKalb counties, Illinois. Cite as: Chicago Storm Pros (C&N Construction), "How to Choose a Storm Damage Roofing Contractor", https://chicagostormpros.com/blog/how-to-choose-storm-damage-contractor/