The Upstate learned about storm chasers in October 2024. Within days of Helene the trucks with out-of-state plates were in every subdivision from Riverside to Reidville, and a lot of homeowners signed contracts on their doorstep. Some of that work was fine. A lot of it was a tarp and a quick patch, and the crew was gone before the check cleared. We still get called to roofs where the "repair" was shingles laid over crushed decking.
This page is about doing it properly. Tree impact means we check the framing, not just the shingles. Wind damage means we photograph every creased and lifted tab, not just the slope you can see from the driveway. Hail means test squares and soft-metal damage documented for the carrier. And if it isn't a claim — if it's wear, or damage that's under your deductible — we'll tell you that, because a denied claim stays on your record.
What's included
Emergency tarping
Any hour, any night. We stop the water first and plan the permanent repair in daylight.
Tree impact repair
Decking, rafters and trusses assessed and repaired before the roof goes back on — not shingled over.
Free storm inspection
On the roof with a camera, usually within 24 hours of your call after a storm.
Claim documentation
Photo report, test squares and a line-item estimate in the format carriers use.
Adjuster meeting
We meet the adjuster on the roof so nothing is missed and nothing is exaggerated.
No deductible games
We never 'waive' or 'absorb' deductibles. That's fraud in South Carolina and the mark of a crew to avoid.
What storm work costs — and who pays
| Job | Typical installed price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency tarp | $250 – $600 | Often reimbursed by the carrier; credited to the job |
| Wind damage repair (one slope) | $450 – $1,800 | Depends on shingle match and area |
| Tree-impact repair (decking + framing) | $1,500 – $8,000+ | Structural repairs priced after the tarp is on |
| Hail / storm inspection & photo report | Free | Yours to keep either way |
| Insurance-approved full replacement | Your deductible | Carrier pays the rest per the adjusted scope |
Storm work is usually paid by your insurance carrier under the adjusted scope, less your deductible. We give you a written estimate either way so you can compare it with the adjuster's numbers.
Helene, two years on
Helene's winds reached 90 mph across Greenville and Spartanburg counties in the early hours of September 27, 2024. Most of the damage was trees — hundreds of roads blocked, power out for a week or more in parts of Greer and Taylors, and debris still on the roadsides in December. The roofs hit hardest were the ones under mature pines: crushed decking, cracked rafters, valleys torn open. If yours got a tarp and a patch, we'll inspect it for free and tell you what's actually under there.
Recent work
Questions we get about storm & tree damage
A tree came through my roof. What do I do first?
Get everyone out from under it, then call us — any hour. We'll tarp it that night so the rain stays out, photograph everything for your carrier, and come back in daylight to assess the framing. Don't let anyone start pulling the tree off the house until the roof structure has been looked at.
Is it too late to claim Helene damage?
Most South Carolina homeowner policies give you a year or two to report storm damage, and some carriers are still processing Helene claims in 2026. If your roof was tarped or patched and is leaking again, get it inspected now and we'll document what's storm-related.
Should I file an insurance claim for my roof?
Only if there's enough damage for the carrier to pay above your deductible. That's what the free inspection is for. If it's minor we'll say so, because a denied claim follows your property for years.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?
No. In South Carolina you choose your contractor. A carrier's 'preferred' list is a convenience for the carrier, not a requirement for you.
Will insurance pay for a full replacement?
If wind or hail damage is spread across the roof and meets the carrier's threshold, the adjuster scopes a replacement. If it's confined to one slope they may pay for a slope repair. Either way we document it and meet the adjuster.
How do I spot a storm chaser?
Out-of-state plates and a door hanger the morning after. Pressure to sign an assignment of benefits before the inspection. An offer to waive your deductible. No local address and no LLR registration number they can show you. Any one of those is a reason to call someone local instead.