How long does a roof replacement take?

Most residential roof replacements are completed in 1–3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. We work efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes! We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all roofing services. Call us at (956) 600-0501 or visit our contact page to get started.

What roofing materials do you use?

We use top-quality materials from trusted manufacturers including architectural shingles, metal roofing, and flat roofing systems. We'll recommend the best option for your home and budget.

Do you help with insurance claims?

Absolutely. We have extensive experience working with insurance companies. We'll document the damage, meet with adjusters, and ensure you get the coverage you deserve.

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Roof Replacement Near Me: How to Choose a Contractor

May 19, 202610 min read

"Roof replacement near me" returns 40+ companies in the Rio Grande Valley. Most are legitimate. Some are storm-chasers from out of state who'll be gone in 6 months. A few are local but cut corners that show up in year 5. Telling them apart from a Google search is hard. Here are the 7 questions that filter the good ones.

Question 1: Are you locally based and how long have you been in business?

Storm-chasers descend on the RGV after every named storm. They're out of state, work out of a truck and a P.O. box, and disappear once the cleanup wave is over. Their warranties evaporate with them.

What to ask: - Local physical address? - How many years operating in the RGV specifically? - Can you provide local references from completed jobs in my area?

Red flag: vague answers, P.O. box only, "we just opened our local office."

Baccaro Roofing is locally based in McAllen with 15+ years of RGV-specific experience. Local address, local crews, local phone number — call after the warranty period ends and we still answer.

Question 2: Are you licensed and insured?

In Texas, residential roofers don't need a state license, but they DO need: - General liability insurance ($1M minimum) - Workers' comp on every employee - Texas DPS-approved insurance certificate (downloadable)

What to ask: - Can you email me a current Certificate of Insurance (COI)? - Are your subcontractors covered under your policy or do they carry their own? - Have you ever had a workers' comp claim?

Red flag: refusal to share COI, "we're between policies right now," or any uncertainty about workers' comp.

If a roofer's worker falls and is uninsured, the homeowner can be liable. Don't hire without a COI in hand.

Question 3: Are you manufacturer-certified?

Manufacturer certifications matter for two reasons: better installer training, and elevated warranties.

Look for: - GAF Master Elite (top 3% of GAF installers) - Owens Corning Platinum Preferred - CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster - For metal: factory training certificates from your panel manufacturer

These certifications are earned through completed-project audits, training, and insurance verification. They're not a marketing logo — they unlock 30-50 year non-prorated warranties that uncertified installers can't offer.

Question 4: What does the warranty actually cover?

Real warranties have: - Manufacturer material warranty (length + prorated vs full) - Workmanship warranty from contractor (length + scope) - Both in writing

What to ask: - Length of workmanship warranty? (Industry standard 5 years; we offer 5 on every install) - Manufacturer warranty length and what's prorated? - What's NOT covered? (Wind events above 130 mph? Acts of God? Maintenance neglect?) - Can I see the warranty document before signing?

Red flag: "lifetime warranty" verbally promised but no document.

Question 5: Will I get a written line-item estimate?

Single-line "Roof: $14,500" quotes are designed to hide what's missing. Real quotes itemize:

- Tear-off + dump fees - Decking allowance (price per sheet of plywood replaced) - Underlayment grade - Shingle / panel brand and product line - Drip edge, starter strip, ridge cap, ice & water shield - Ventilation plan - Cleanup and magnetic sweep - Permit fees

If two quotes are $4,000 apart, the difference is usually in line items the cheaper one excluded. See [Red Flags When Comparing Roofing Quotes](/blog/red-flags-comparing-roofing-quotes).

Question 6: How do you handle insurance claims?

If your replacement is going through insurance, the contractor's experience with claims matters:

What to ask: - Have you worked with my carrier specifically? - Will you meet my adjuster on-site? - Do you handle supplemental claims if the adjuster missed scope? - Will you help me document depreciation recovery?

Be cautious of contractors who promise "we'll cover your deductible" — that's insurance fraud in Texas. Walk away.

We work with every major Texas carrier (State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Farmers, Texas Farm Bureau, etc.). See [How Insurance Claims Work for Roofing](/blog/how-insurance-claims-work-for-roofing).

Question 7: What's your payment schedule?

Reasonable payment schedule: - 25-33% deposit at contract signing - Optional progress payment when materials delivered - Final payment on completion + walk-through

Red flags: - 50%+ deposit demanded — working-capital problem, not your problem - Cash only - Payment in full before any work — never do this - Pressure to sign immediately because "lumber prices going up next week"

Bonus: Check reviews carefully

Don't just look at star count. Read 1-star and 3-star reviews: - What does the contractor say in response? - Are complaints about specific issues (cleanup, communication) or vague? - Is there a pattern (multiple "didn't return phone calls")?

Google + BBB + local Facebook groups give a triangulated picture. Look at oldest reviews to see whether quality has dropped over time.

Free signal: how was your inspection?

Before any quote you should get an inspection. Pay attention to: - Did they actually walk the roof? - Did they go in the attic? - Did they ask about your insurance situation? - Did they hand-sell vs answer questions? - Did they pressure-close in the driveway?

Good contractors educate. Bad ones close. If the inspection felt like a sales pitch, the install will too.

Common questions

### How many quotes should I get?

Three minimum. Beyond five, you're wasting your time. Use line-item comparison to evaluate, not just total price.

### Is cheapest always wrong?

Not always — sometimes a contractor with low overhead is genuinely the best value. But check what's missing from the quote. Cheaper because they're skipping steps is the usual reason.

### Should I check references?

Yes — ask for 3 local addresses with completed jobs in the past 2 years. Drive by. Look at the workmanship.

### Is a Google review enough proof?

It's a signal, not proof. Google reviews can be manipulated. Combine Google + BBB + driving by recent jobs for the real picture.

### How long should the contractor be in business?

5+ years operating locally is the floor. 10+ is better. Brand-new local LLCs are usually pivoted-name storm-chasers.

### What about online quotes?

Useful for ballpark only. No reputable contractor commits to a final price without seeing the roof.

Get a real inspection + quote

(956) 600-0501 — locally based, 15+ years RGV experience, GAF + Owens Corning certified, every install backed by 5-year workmanship warranty.

We serve all of [the Rio Grande Valley](/areas).