Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Every summer, Lake Norman residents know the drill. The storms roll in, the hail starts falling, and within 24 hours, your doorbell's ringing with contractors promising to fix your roof "today only" at prices that seem too good to be true.
Here's the thing – they usually are.
After helping hundreds of LKN families navigate storm damage repairs, I've seen the aftermath when homeowners choose the wrong contractor. Shoddy work that fails within months. Contractors who disappear before finishing the job. Insurance claims that get denied because of improper documentation.
But I've also seen families who avoided these nightmares by recognizing the warning signs early.
Whether you're dealing with storm damage in Cornelius, planning a roof replacement in Davidson, or just want to be prepared for the next weather event in Mooresville, these 12 red flags will help you separate legitimate LKN roofers from the storm chasers looking to make a quick buck off your misfortune.
This one's non-negotiable. Every legitimate roofer in North Carolina needs proper licensing and comprehensive insurance. But here's what most homeowners don't know – storm chasers often have expired licenses, out-of-state licenses that aren't valid for NC work, or fake documentation altogether.
When you ask to see their license, watch their reaction. A professional contractor will hand it over immediately and explain what their license number means. They'll also show you their insurance certificate and give you their insurance company's contact information so you can verify coverage directly.
Storm chasers? They'll make excuses. "It's in the truck." "My partner has it." "I can email it later." Don't wait. No license verification means no work begins – period.
Even when storm chasers produce insurance paperwork, it's often inadequate or fraudulent. Here's what to verify: general liability insurance (minimum $1 million), workers' compensation coverage for all crew members, and vehicle insurance for their equipment.
Call their insurance company yourself. I know it seems excessive, but I've seen too many Lake Norman homeowners get stuck with massive bills when an uninsured worker gets injured on their property.
A legitimate local roofer understands this concern and will actually appreciate your diligence. They know their insurance is solid, and they want you to feel confident.
Real talk – legitimate LKN roofers don't need to knock on doors. We stay busy through referrals, online reviews, and repeat customers. When we're booked out for weeks (which happens often after big storms), why would we spend time cold-calling neighborhoods?
Storm chasers, on the other hand, follow weather patterns and knock on doors within hours of hail damage. They're counting on your urgency and stress to make quick decisions.
If someone knocks on your door after a storm, ask yourself: How did they know you needed roof work? Did they inspect your roof from the street? Are they claiming damage you haven't even noticed yet?
Drive by their "local office" – is it actually a hotel parking lot? Check their business address online – does it exist? Look at their trucks and equipment – do they have out-of-state plates?
Storm chasers set up temporary operations because they're not planning to stick around. They rent local phone numbers, use fake addresses, and sometimes even hire local people to make calls for them.
Meanwhile, established LKN roofers have physical offices you can visit. Our trucks are local. Our employees live in Davidson, Cornelius, and Mooresville. We coach Little League games and shop at the same Harris Teeter you do.
This local connection isn't just nice to have – it's your guarantee that we'll be here when you need warranty work in two years.
"This price is only good if you sign today." Sound familiar? High-pressure tactics are the storm chaser's favorite tool because they know their deals don't hold up under scrutiny.
Legitimate contractors understand that roof work is a major investment. We want you to get multiple quotes, ask questions, and feel confident in your decision. We'll even recommend other contractors if we're not the right fit.
But storm chasers can't afford to let you think. They need you to sign before you research their company, verify their credentials, or compare their prices to local competitors.
Any contractor who won't give you at least 48 hours to consider their proposal is showing you exactly who they are. Believe them.
North Carolina law limits how much contractors can request upfront – and there's a good reason for that limit. Contractors who demand large deposits before starting work are either cash-poor (a bad sign) or planning to take the money and run (a worse sign).
Here's how legitimate payment should work: small deposit to secure your spot on the schedule, materials payment when materials arrive on-site, and final payment when work is complete and you're satisfied.
Storm chasers often ask for 50% or more upfront. They'll claim they need to "buy materials" or "secure your position," but what they really need is cash to fund their operation before disappearing.
This one's tricky because it sounds like a good deal. "We'll cover your $2,500 deductible!" But here's the reality – they're not actually covering it. They're inflating your claim to hide the deductible cost, which is insurance fraud.
Your insurance company isn't stupid. They know what roof work costs, and when they see inflated claims, they investigate. That investigation can lead to claim denial, policy cancellation, or even criminal charges.
Legitimate LKN roofers work with insurance companies transparently. We document damage accurately, provide fair estimates, and let the insurance process work as designed. We'll help you navigate the claim, but we won't commit fraud for you.
"Roof repair – $8,000." That's not an estimate – that's a guess. Professional estimates specify materials (brand, grade, color), labor details, timeline, cleanup procedures, and warranty terms.
Vague estimates hide problems. When the contractor shows up with cheaper materials than you expected, or adds mysterious "additional costs" halfway through the job, you'll wish you had demanded specifics upfront.
Every legitimate roofing project needs a detailed contract. Not a handshake deal, not a verbal agreement – a written contract that protects both parties.
Storm chasers hate contracts because contracts create accountability. They prefer loose agreements that give them wiggle room when things go wrong.
Your contract should specify start dates, completion timeline, materials, labor, permits, cleanup, and warranty terms. It should also include your right to cancel within three days (required by NC law for contracts signed at your home).
If a contractor pushes back on written agreements, they're telling you they don't plan to honor their commitments.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Storm chasers can fake a lot of things, but they can't fake years of satisfied customers in your neighborhood.
When you ask for references, legitimate LKN roofers light up. We love showing off our work and connecting you with happy customers. We'll give you addresses so you can drive by and see our installations. We'll provide phone numbers so you can hear directly from homeowners about their experience.
Storm chasers make excuses. "Privacy concerns." "Our customers prefer not to be bothered." "We can show you pictures instead." Pictures can be stolen from anywhere – references can't be faked.
Professional contractors respect their competition. We might explain why our approach is different, but we don't trash talk other companies.
Storm chasers, however, often spend time badmouthing local contractors. "Those guys are overpriced." "They don't know what they're doing." "They'll take forever to finish."
This isn't confidence – it's desperation. They're trying to eliminate your other options because they know they can't compete on merit.
Roofing materials cost what they cost. Labor rates are fairly consistent among professional contractors. When someone's price is dramatically different – either much higher or much lower – there's a reason.
Low-ball prices often mean corners will be cut. Cheap materials, inexperienced labor, or missing steps that you won't notice until problems emerge later.
Sky-high prices might indicate someone's taking advantage of your stress or inflating costs to cover the deductible they promised to "pay."
Get multiple quotes from established LKN roofers. The prices should be in the same ballpark, with differences explained by material choices or service levels.
Here's something specific about our area that storm chasers often miss – Lake Norman homes have unique challenges. Our proximity to the water creates specific moisture concerns. Our soil conditions affect foundation settling, which impacts roof structure. Our homeowners' associations often have specific requirements for materials and colors.
Legitimate LKN roofers understand these local factors because we work with them every day. We know which shingle colors are approved in your neighborhood. We understand how lake humidity affects ventilation requirements. We're familiar with the local permit process and inspection requirements.
Storm chasers don't have this knowledge, and their ignorance costs you money. They might install materials that aren't HOA-approved, requiring expensive do-overs. They might skip permits, leaving you liable for code violations. They might ignore local best practices, leading to premature failures.
I'm not just trying to scare you away from storm chasers – I'm trying to save you from experiences I've seen too many times.
Last year, a family in Cornelius hired storm chasers after hail damage. The work looked fine initially, but six months later, they had leaks in three rooms. When they tried to contact the contractor, the phone number was disconnected. The "local address" was a UPS store mailbox. Their "warranty" was worthless because the company had moved on to chase storms in another state.
They ended up paying twice – once for the original shoddy work, and again for us to fix it properly.
But here's the thing that really bothered them – it wasn't just the money. It was the feeling of being taken advantage of when they were vulnerable. Storm chasers prey on people during stressful times, and that betrayal of trust cuts deeper than financial loss.
So what should you do instead? Start your research before you need it. Identify 2-3 reputable local contractors now, while you're not under pressure.
Check their Google reviews, but read them carefully. Look for specific details about the work performed and the customer experience. Be suspicious of reviews that are all generic five-star ratings with no specific information.
Visit their physical location. Drive by their office. Look at their equipment and vehicles. Ask neighbors for recommendations.
When storm damage happens, you'll already have a short list of contractors to call. You won't need to make rushed decisions based on whoever knocks on your door first.
Storm chasers count on your urgency, stress, and lack of knowledge about the roofing industry. But now you know what to look for.
When someone shows up at your door promising quick fixes and amazing deals, you can recognize the red flags. When you're getting quotes for roof work, you can ask the right questions and spot the warning signs.
Most importantly, you can choose contractors who will still be here in five years when you need warranty work, who understand Lake Norman's unique requirements, and who have built their reputation one satisfied customer at a time.
Your roof protects everything you value most. It deserves more than a contractor who's planning to skip town as soon as the check clears.
If you're dealing with storm damage or planning roof work in the Lake Norman area, don't let urgency cloud your judgment. Take the time to verify credentials, check references, and choose a contractor who's as invested in your community as you are.
Need help evaluating your roofing options? Contact us for a no-pressure consultation where we can discuss your specific needs and help you make the best decision for your home – even if that means recommending another contractor who might be a better fit.
Because that's what legitimate LKN roofers do – we put your best interests first.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
Need help with your roof? Explore our professional roofing services in Charlotte NC.
Get a free roof inspection and honest assessment from Charlotte's most trusted roofing company.
