Public Adjuster vs Roofing Contractor: Who Should You Call First After Storm Damage in Arlington VA?
Quick Answer
If a storm just hit your Arlington home, call a roofing contractor first. A contractor can document the damage right away, tarp any leak that is still leaking, and provide you with a genuine opinion on whether the damage is even worth claiming before you involve anyone else. A public adjuster is best called after you have already been in a disagreement with your insurance company regarding the amount of the payout, not as your first call.
Introduction
Your phone begins to fill with numbers you don’t know after a bad storm passes through Arlington. Some are roofers. Some are public adjusters who claim to “fight for every dollar” on your claim. It’s confusing and a lot of homeowners sign something without understanding what it does. This article explains what each of these individuals does, who to call first, and how to not end up in a contract that doesn’t benefit you.
After storm damage, what does a Roofing Contractor do?
A roofing contractor’s first job is assessment and protection. We climb up on the roof, take pictures of what we see, and determine if water is entering the home. If it is, then that is taken care of first.
A contractor will then provide you with a written scope of damage from there. This is your base. It’s specific, dated, and based on someone who’s been doing roof inspections for decades, not someone reading off a checklist.
What documentation should contain.
There are a few things that a good contractor report will include:
- Photographs of each damaged area, including close-ups of shingle granule loss, cracked tabs or punctures.
- Discussion on flashing, ridge caps and valleys as these are areas where adjusters often overlook them.
- An estimate that is split up into material and labour.
- A clear statement as to whether the damage corresponds to the storm in question.
That’s an important one that many homeowners don’t think about. Sometimes, insurance companies will say that damage is due to wear and tear, not the storm. A contractor who has been inspecting roofs following dozens of storms in the Northern Virginia area understands the difference between fresh hail bruising and old granule loss due to age.
The role of a Public Adjuster.
A public adjuster is not working for the insurance company, but for you and their job is to negotiate the payout of the claim. They will look at your policy, create a damage assessment, and advocate for a larger settlement if they feel the insurance company is offering too little.
This is where people are surprised: Public adjusters usually charge a percentage of your claim, usually between 10% and 20%. That’s not a small number on a roof replacement claim that could be in the five figures.
When a Public Adjuster Makes Sense
A public adjuster is worth considering when:
- Your insurance company has already denied the claim or has already paid out an amount that is far less than what it will take to repair the vehicle.
- You have a complex claim with several types of damages (roof, siding, interior water damage)
- You have already received a contractor estimate and there is a big difference between that and the insurance quote.
If none of those apply, and you still need to hire a public adjuster before you even receive a denial or lowball offer, then you are paying a percentage fee for negotiation that you may not need.
Why Calling a Contractor First Protects You
I have seen this error repeated many times in Arlington. After a storm, a public adjuster knocks on a homeowner’s door and signs a contract immediately, only to discover that the public adjuster’s fee is deducted from the insurance company’s payment, even if the claim was simple.
The first step is to have a contractor visit, which will provide you with a baseline. You’ll have a good idea of the approximate cost of the roof repair and roof replacement based on a person who has actually worked on roofs in older Arlington homes, experienced Arlington County permitting, and witnessed how Arlington insurance adjusters handle roof claims.
If the insurance company’s estimate is fairly close to that contractor’s estimate, you might not need a public adjuster. If there is a large difference, you now have actual numbers to discuss.
| Roofing Contractor | Public Adjuster | |
|---|---|---|
| Works For | You, but also performs the actual repair work | You, exclusively for claim negotiation |
| Cost | Estimate is part of the job; no separate fee for the assessment | Percentage of claim payout, typically 10–20% |
| Best Timing | Immediately after storm damage | After a denial or lowball settlement offer |
| What They Provide | Damage documentation, repair scope, actual repair work | Claim negotiation, policy review, settlement advocacy |
| Local Knowledge | Familiar with Arlington permitting, housing types, storm patterns | Varies; may not be local |
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
There are a few patterns that I see repeated:
- Signing a public adjuster contract within hours of a storm, before even knowing if there is a dispute to fight?
- When the insurance adjuster’s first number is the last, it’s often the first.
- Avoiding a contractor inspection altogether and only having the insurance company’s adjuster, who is employed by the insurance company
- Not having damage photographed promptly, particularly in areas such as Bluemont or
- Cherrydale where older trees may have shed more debris in the days after a storm, obscuring the damage from the storm.
FAQ
Will a roofing company assist me in my insurance claim?
Yes. A contractor can give you a detailed written estimate and documentation that you submit with your claim. Many contractors have experience in dealing directly with insurance adjusters and can identify damage that may not be noticed by the insurance company during their inspection.
Should you avoid dealing with a public adjuster?
No, but there is a time. It’s free to talk to one to find out what options are available. The thing to be careful about is signing a contract that requires you to pay a percentage fee before you find out if you will have to dispute anything.
What if my insurance company sends their own adjuster first?
That’s normal, but remember that adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. If you have your own contractor’s documentation, you have a point of reference to compare their findings.
When should I hire a contractor after storm damage in Arlington?
As soon as it is safe to do so, preferably within a day or two. Documenting the claim quickly is important for the claim, and if there is active leaking, it will not be an interior water damage problem if it is tarped quickly.
What are Arlington’s special needs for storm damage repair?
Depending on the scope of work, a permit may be required for roof replacement, particularly if structural decking needs to be replaced. Your local contractor who knows the permitting process in Arlington County can let you know if your particular repair will require it.
What to Do Next
When a storm just damaged your roof, the best first step is to have a contractor look at your roof before anyone else. That provides you with documentation, a scope of repair, and a number to compare with your insurance company.
There are a few common issues that homeowners in Arlington experience after a storm that they don’t know how to handle: they don’t know if the damage is severe enough to warrant a claim, they don’t know what a reasonable repair estimate should look like, and they feel rushed to sign something before they have time to think about it.
Roofing Arlington VA have been inspecting roofs for 13 years, from older homes in Ashton Heights to newer construction near Crystal City, and we don’t use subcontractors for any aspect of the job. If your roof has been damaged in a recent storm, give us a call at (703) 386-7359 to get a clear and honest opinion on what you’re facing before you make any other calls.
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