How to Spot a Storm Chaser: Tips on How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

Storm Chasers and Homeowner Safety: What You Need to Know

When a major storm hits, homeowners are left vulnerable—not just to damage, but also to storm chasers, predatory contractors who take advantage of desperate situations. The challenge? They’re not always easy to spot.

Who Are Storm Chasers?

Storm chasers are out-of-town roofing companies that follow severe weather events and target affected neighborhoods. They often disguise themselves by buying into small local businesses, taking over their branding, and presenting themselves as an established, reputable company.

For example, John Doe’s Roofing, a family-run business with modest annual sales, could suddenly balloon into a large-scale operation with dozens of sales reps and crews overnight. But once storm activity slows, the storm chasers leave town, dumping the business—and the resulting poor workmanship issues—back onto the original owner. Often, this leads to bankruptcy, leaving homeowners with no recourse for repairs.

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 Upfront Payments for Materials

Legitimate contractors don’t require a down payment to purchase materials. Established roofing companies have supplier credit lines and the financial stability to complete jobs without needing customer prepayment.

✅ Mammoth Roofing & Solar NEVER requires an upfront deposit. We only get paid when you are completely satisfied.

📌 Source: National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

🚩 High-Pressure Sales Tactics & Religious Manipulation

Some storm chasers use emotional manipulation to build trust. They may:

  • Invoke religious phrases like “being a good steward” to create a false sense of goodwill.
  • Display crosses, fish symbols, or other religious iconography on their vehicles and marketing.
  • Claim to be involved in local charities or churches without any verifiable record.

💡 How to Spot the Truth: Ask them about their church, community service, or philanthropy involvement. If they dodge the question, that’s a red flag.

📌 Source: Better Business Bureau (BBB)

🚩 Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals

Storm chasers often offer to waive deductibles or claim they can get your roof replaced for free. While insurance may cover storm damage, any company offering to absorb your deductible is committing fraud—which could put your claim and coverage at risk.

📌 Source: Insurance Information Institute (III)

How to Avoid Storm Chasers

✅ Research Their Track Record

Before signing anything, dig deep into the company’s reputation:

  • Google Reviews, BBB, and HomeAdvisor – Look for verified customer experiences.
  • Angi (formerly Angie’s List) – Trusted contractor reviews.
  • Ask neighbors and friends – Word of mouth is powerful.

🔎 Mammoth Roofing & Solar is built on transparency and trust. We take care of our customers so well that our reputation speaks for itself.

📌 Source: Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)

✅ Check for a Physical Presence

Storm chasers often change names and branding to appear local. But a true local company has physical offices where customers can visit or call for service long after the storm is gone.

🏢 Mammoth Roofing & Solar has real offices in the areas we serve. We are here before, during, and after the storm.

📌 Source: National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

✅ Get a Written Contract & Verify Insurance

A professional contractor should provide:

  • A detailed, written contract outlining materials, timelines, and costs.
  • Proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • A warranty on workmanship and materials.

📌 Source: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Mammoth Difference

At Mammoth Roofing & Solar, we take homeowner protection seriously. We offer: ✅ No upfront payments – We get paid only when you’re satisfied. ✅ Industry-leading warranties – Backed by solid guarantees. ✅ Local offices & expert teams – We’re part of your community. ✅ A proven reputation – Real reviews, real results.

Don’t get taken advantage of. Call Mammoth Roofing & Solar today for a free inspection and get trusted, reliable service that stands the test of time!

📞 Contact us now and let’s protect your home together!

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Cover of The G.R.O.O.V.E. Playbook by Scott Edwards, CEO of Mammoth Roofing and Solar, promoting high-performing roofing sales reps — Grow With a Mammoth.

The G.R.O.O.V.E. Playbook: How Mammoth Builds High-Performing Reps

By Scott Edwards

This is not just a training manual—it’s a playbook for purpose-driven selling.

In Get in the GROOVE, Mammoth Roofing & Solar opens its doors to share the field-tested framework behind one of the most consistent appointment-setting systems in the industry. Built for new reps, seasoned closers, and even outside organizations looking to elevate their sales culture, this book breaks down the exact steps—from first knock to confident close—that turn conversations into trust, and trust into results.

Packed with real-world scripts, field breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes mindset philosophy, this book isn’t about hype—it’s about repeatable excellence.

Whether you’re joining our herd or leading your own, you’ll walk away with the structure, belief, and tools to build something that lasts.

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About The Author

Founder. Builder. No Plan B.

For ten years, Scott worked jobs that looked stable on the surface—finance, insurance, corporate roles—but always felt like they belonged to someone else’s vision. He wasn’t building anything of his own, and the day-to-day offered little more than repetition.

After a personal and financial low point—including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy—he found himself starting over with almost nothing. A friend gave him a shot in roofing sales. Two small jobs in, someone wrote his commission on a napkin at a diner table. The number was more than he’d made in weeks. That’s when he saw what this industry could offer—not just income, but real ownership over your success.

From there, everything changed.

Scott built this company to give others the same shot he got. He doesn’t look for perfect résumés—he looks for people with drive, character, and something to prove. His goal is simple: train in weeks what took him a decade to learn, and create a path to success that’s real, not theoretical.

Today, he leads one of the fastest-growing roofing and solar teams in Texas—but he’s still walking jobs, coaching reps, and checking in with homeowners. Because no matter how big the company gets, the mission stays the same: do the job right, take care of your people, and never forget where you started.