After any significant storm, Park Ridge driveways fill with door hangers and lawn signs from contractors you've never heard of. Some are legitimate local outfits adding capacity. Many are storm-chasers from out of state who'll be gone before the warranty matters. Here's how to tell the difference.
Ask where they're based. Real local contractors will name their city or town. Storm-chasers often deflect with 'we have a local office' that turns out to be a virtual address.
Ask for a written, line-item estimate. Real contractors itemize: what shingle line, what underlayment, what flashing approach, what ventilation work, what warranty terms. Storm-chasers often hand over a one-page total with no scope detail.
Ask about insurance. Real contractors will provide certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance before any work begins. Don't accept verbal assurances.
Ask about decking surprises. Quality contractors address potential decking replacement as a line item with a unit price — so if the tear-off reveals bad sheathing, you know exactly what it costs. Cheap quotes that ignore decking always lead to surprise change orders mid-project.
Be skeptical of pressure. Real local contractors aren't trying to lock you in before sundown. If a sales rep is pushing for a same-day signature, that's a signal.
Check that the warranty is in writing and that the company will plausibly be around to honor it. A 25-year shingle warranty doesn't help you if the installer disappears in three years.
And finally — ask who you'll be talking to after the job is done. The best contractors have a real person who picks up the phone six months later if something needs attention. That's the difference between a contractor and a transaction.