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Baccaro Roofing GuideHow to Choose a Roofing Contractor in South Texas

May 2, 20268 min read

TL;DR: After every Texas storm, dozens of out-of-state storm-chasers descend on the RGV. Filter them with these 10 questions: 5+ years local, COI on file, manufacturer certification (GAF Master Elite / OC Platinum / CertainTeed SELECT), written warranty + workmanship terms, line-item estimate, deposit ≤33%, never "we'll cover your deductible" (Texas insurance fraud).

After every major hurricane or hail event in the Rio Grande Valley, out-of-state "storm chasers" flood McAllen, Edinburg, and Brownsville with door-to-door pitches. Some are legitimate; most are not. Use the 10 questions below to separate real contractors from people who'll take a deposit and disappear.

The 10 questions to ask before signing anything

### 1. Are you licensed and insured in Texas?

Texas doesn't require a state-level roofing license, but a legitimate contractor will carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Ask for certificates of insurance — not promises. A good contractor emails them to you the same day. No certificate = walk away. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor is uninsured, you can be held liable.

### 2. Where is your local office?

Real contractors have a physical office or job-site presence in the area. Storm chasers operate out of a hotel for 60–90 days then leave. Ask the address. Drive by. If it's a P.O. box or a national chain franchise that just opened, be cautious.

### 3. Can I see your TX driver's license?

Sounds aggressive but it's standard. Match the name on the ID to the name on the contract, the insurance certificate, and the GBP listing. Mismatches are a red flag.

### 4. How long have you been in business?

Anything under 3 years in the RGV specifically is concerning. Storm-chasing contractors typically rebrand every 1–2 years to escape complaints. Look up the business on the Texas Comptroller's franchise tax records — real businesses have a paper trail going back years.

### 5. Can I see 5 recent local references with phone numbers?

References from McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville, or wherever you live. Call 2–3 of them. Ask: - Did the project finish on time? - Did anything come up that wasn't in the original estimate? - Would you hire them again?

### 6. Are you on Google Business Profile? Show me the reviews.

Real local contractors have 50+ reviews accumulated over years. New profiles (under 6 months old) with 5-star reviews only are a red flag — could be fake. Look for a mix of detailed reviews mentioning specific work, ideally with response from the owner.

### 7. What manufacturer warranties do you register me for?

A good contractor is an authorized installer for at least one major manufacturer (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) and registers the manufacturer warranty in your name. Manufacturer warranties typically run 25–50 years on shingles, lifetime on metal. Ask for the warranty registration number after install — keep it with your home docs.

### 8. What's your workmanship warranty?

In addition to the manufacturer warranty, the contractor should offer their own workmanship guarantee covering installation defects. Industry standard is 5 years. If they offer "lifetime workmanship" but they've only existed for 2 years, the lifetime promise is meaningless.

### 9. Can I see a written, itemized estimate?

Not a verbal quote, not a one-line total. A real estimate breaks out: - Material (brand, product line, quantity) - Labor (tear-off, install, cleanup) - Decking allowance (per sheet pricing) - Flashing, drip edge, ridge vent - Warranty terms - Timeline - Payment schedule

If they refuse to put it in writing or pressure you to sign before you can read it carefully, walk away.

### 10. What's the payment schedule?

Never pay 100% upfront. Standard schedule: - ~10% deposit when contract is signed (or 0% — many quality contractors don't take a deposit at all) - ~40–50% on day of material delivery - Balance on completion + your inspection signoff

If they want full payment before work starts, that's a major red flag.

Insurance claim red flags

If you're filing a storm damage claim, two specific scams to avoid:

### "We'll waive your deductible"

This is illegal in Texas under §27.02 of the Insurance Code. Contractors who promise to absorb your deductible are committing insurance fraud — and your claim can be denied entirely if discovered. Walk away from anyone offering this.

### "Sign this contingency contract — it just authorizes us to inspect"

Some contracts marked as "inspection authorization" actually commit you to using that contractor for the entire repair. Read every page before signing. Never sign anything that includes "Assignment of Benefits" (AOB) without understanding what it means — it transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor.

For more on the claims process, see our [insurance claim guide](/blog/how-insurance-claims-work-for-roofing).

What to look for in a quality RGV contractor

The right contractor for a Rio Grande Valley homeowner has:

  • 5+ years operating in the RGV specifically — knows local building codes, weather patterns, and which materials hold up
  • Bilingual English/Spanish service — important for a region where 50%+ of homeowners are Hispanic
  • Licensed and insured with current certificates
  • Authorized installer status with at least one major manufacturer
  • GBP with consistent NAP (name, address, phone) and 50+ reviews
  • Hurricane-rated installation experience — standard for any roofer doing coastal work
  • Written, itemized estimates with no pressure to sign same-day
  • Workmanship warranty in writing (5+ years standard)

Why we're confident in our work

Baccaro Roofing has served the Rio Grande Valley for 5+ years from a real local office. Licensed, insured, fully certified for premium manufacturer warranties. 20+ verified Google reviews averaging 5.0 stars. Bilingual crew. Free written estimates with no high-pressure sales tactics.

Call (956) 600-0501 for a free inspection. We'll show you our license, insurance certificates, and references on the first visit. Use this guide's 10 questions on us — we expect them.

_Sources: [Texas Department of Insurance — Fraud Reporting](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fraud/) · [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/) · [GAF Master Elite directory](https://www.gaf.com/en-us/roofing-contractors/) · [Owens Corning Platinum directory](https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/contractors)._