Every spring and summer, hail and straight-line winds move across the greater St. Louis region — and out-of-town crews follow the weather map. They arrive within a day or two, knock doors hard for a week or two, collect deposits and insurance checks, and leave before the first leak shows up. Homeowners are then left with an unfinished roof, an unpermitted job, or a warranty nobody will honor.
Covenant Contracting has worked out of Fenton, Missouri for over 40 years. We are still here after the storm season ends — and so is our warranty. Here is what to watch for before you sign anything.
Six red flags to watch for
Out-of-state plates and no local address
Crews follow hail maps across the country. If the truck, license plate, and business address are all from somewhere else, there is nobody to call once the crew moves on to the next storm.
Door-knocking within hours of the storm
A knock at the door with a "free inspection" before the debris is even cleared is a sales tactic, not a service. Reputable local contractors are booked by neighbors and referrals, not cold canvassing.
Pressure to sign on the spot
Watch for "today only" pricing, blank contracts, or requests to sign an insurance authorization before you understand the scope. Any legitimate estimate holds up overnight.
Large deposits and cash-only terms
Big up-front cash, wire transfers, or a demand for your insurance check before materials are ordered are the most common ways homeowners lose money after a storm.
"We'll cover your deductible"
Absorbing or waiving a deductible is insurance fraud in Missouri, and the homeowner is left exposed when the claim is reviewed.
No verifiable license, insurance, or history
Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage, a permanent local office, and a record you can look up with the BBB. Vague answers are an answer.
What storm chasers leave behind
The damage is rarely obvious on day one. Shingles are installed over wet or rotted decking, flashing and ventilation details are skipped, permits are never pulled, and the manufacturer's material warranty is voided because the crew was never certified to install it. When the ceiling stains appear the following spring, the phone number on the contract is disconnected and there is no local entity to hold accountable. Insurance will not pay twice for the same claim, so the second repair comes out of your pocket.
How to protect yourself after a storm
- Document damage yourself with photos and dates before anyone climbs on the roof.
- Call your insurance carrier first and open the claim in your own name.
- Get a written, itemized estimate that lists materials, sequencing, and warranty terms.
- Verify licensing, insurance certificates, and a permanent local address.
- Confirm who pulls the permit and who is on site day to day.
- Never pay in full before the work is complete and inspected.
Why hiring a local St. Louis roofer matters
A local contractor knows county and municipal permitting, works with the same suppliers and inspectors year after year, and has a reputation built on the neighborhoods it serves. Covenant Contracting is BBB-accredited, fully licensed and insured, and handles roofing alongside siding, gutters, decks, additions, and interior remodeling — so storm repairs are done once, correctly, by the crew that will still answer the phone next year.
Had storm damage? Get a real assessment.
We will inspect the roof, document what we find, and give you a written itemized estimate you can compare against any claim.