This past week a swath of thunderstorms passed through an area of Charles, PG and Calvert Counties. During the storm there were high winds, damaging hail and even some funnel clouds, although no reports of actual tornado touch-downs. Strong spring storms such as these leave more than damaged property in their wake.

Enter the ‘storm chasers,’ as companies that move in after a destructive storm and swarm neighborhoods affected by damage, are called in the roofing and siding industry. These companies, come to an area and rent temporary headquarters, get a phone number and email address and blitz damaged neighborhoods with heavy-handed sales tactics.

That in and of itself, is not the real problem. The contracts that homeowners are talked into signing, lock them into using these companies to repair damaged roofs, gutters, siding and decks. Then the waiting game begins.

Some homeowners complain that they have waited two, three or even four months for repairs to be done. In the interim, if the storm damage is such that there are leaks or other structural problems, homeowners look at even more damage before repairs are completed.

Some of these ‘storm chasers’ also do not provide quality work when they do actually perform repair services. In a recent interview with Snell & Sons, a highly regarded and reputable roofing contractor based in Brandywine, company representative, Jan Jarboe stated, “The companies rush in and sign homeowners. Then when they do the repairs, they just throw new roofing materials over the old damaged roof.”
Jarboe stated that reputable companies like Snell & Sons, inspect every aspect of the structure to ensure that there is no underlying damage. Then they remove all the damaged materials before repairing the roof.

When asked about the recent storm, Jarboe said, “We know thousands of homes were affected with very high winds and hail that damaged roofs and other parts of the home.” She indicated that her company has been receiving hundreds of calls from homeowners concerned about the ‘storm chasers’ and their brutish sales tactic. “I tell them that if they have any concerns, they have three days to bow out of the contract. For those that haven’t signed yet, I tell them to not sign and check out a local trusted contractor first.”

Jarboe indicated that Snell & Sons has been in business in the same location for 35 years and uses only the highest quality materials with the longest warranties in the industry. “We make sure each of our technicians are well trained and all are CertainTeed certified. What’s more, when all is said and done, the ‘storm chasers’ move on and leave the area leaving the homeowner to deal with any defects or poor workmanship and shoddy repairs.”

To talk to a representative from Snell & Sons, call (301) 372-1105, email them at

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