After a hailstorm, the pressure to make decisions quickly can feel overwhelming. Contractors may show up at your door. Your insurance company may suggest their preferred vendors. Understanding your rights as an Arkansas homeowner helps you make the best decision for your property — not the most convenient decision for someone else.
Your Legal Right to Choose
Arkansas homeowners have the legal right to select their own roofing contractor. Your insurance company may offer a list of preferred vendors or suggest contractors through a referral program, but they cannot require you to use a specific company.
This right is fundamental: the contractor you choose is the person working on the most expensive exterior component of your home. That decision should be based on credentials, reputation, and trust — not on which company has a referral agreement with your insurer.
What to Look for in an Arkansas Contractor
Registration: Since January 2022, residential roofing contractors must hold a Residential Roofer Registration through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for projects over $2,000. Verify registration status before signing any agreement.
Insurance: Confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask for certificates of insurance — a reputable contractor will provide them without hesitation.
Local presence: A contractor with a permanent local address, local references, and a track record in your community is far more accountable than one who arrived after the storm and will leave when the work dries up.
Certifications: Look for Haag Engineering Certification, manufacturer certifications (like Owens Corning Preferred Contractor), and evidence of ongoing training. These indicate a commitment to professional standards beyond the minimum requirements.
Red Flags to Avoid
Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm: Legitimate contractors don’t need to chase storms. They have existing customer relationships and reputations that generate work.
Pressure to sign immediately: Any contractor who insists you sign a contract on the spot, before you’ve had time to verify their credentials or get competing estimates, is prioritizing their timeline over your interests.
Offers to cover your deductible: This is illegal. Your deductible is your contractual obligation to your insurance company. A contractor who offers to waive or cover it is committing insurance fraud — and involving you in it.
Out-of-state plates and temporary offices: Storm chasers follow weather events from state to state. They set up temporary operations, complete work quickly, and move on. If warranty issues arise six months later, they’re three states away.
No written estimate before signing: You should receive a detailed written estimate before committing to any work. Verbal promises and handshake agreements provide no protection.
Preferred Vendor Programs — What You Should Know
Your insurance company may suggest contractors through a “preferred vendor” or “managed repair” program. These programs are not mandatory. The contractors in these programs have a referral relationship with your insurer, which may or may not align with your best interests.
Choosing an independent contractor — especially one with Haag Certification — means you have someone advocating for the full scope of damage, not someone whose referral relationship might limit what they report or recommend.
How SDAT Contractor Partnerships Work
SDAT partners with established roofing contractors who meet specific standards: minimum 10 years of experience, zero unresolved BBB complaints, current Arkansas registration, proper insurance, and a commitment to homeowner-first service.
Every contractor in our network has been vetted before they receive their first referral. Our partnership model is performance-based — contractors pay for results, not for leads — which means only contractors confident in their work and reputation participate.