How to Choose a Storm Restoration Contractor in Aurora, IL: A Homeowner's Vetting Guide

The day after a major storm rolls through the Fox Valley, your phone starts ringing and your doorbell won't stop. Cards get tucked into your screen door. Trucks with out-of-state plates cruise the block. If your roof, siding, or gutters took a hit, you're suddenly being asked to make one of the most important decisions a homeowner ever makes — and to make it fast.

Choosing the right storm restoration contractor in Aurora, IL is the difference between a repair that lasts decades and one that fails the next time the wind picks up. This guide walks you through exactly how to vet a contractor, the questions to ask, the red flags to walk away from, and how a trustworthy local company should work alongside your insurance claim.

Why Contractor Choice Matters More After a Storm

Storm restoration is not the same as a routine roof repair. Hail bruises shingles in ways that don't always leak right away. High winds lift shingles, crack seals, and damage flashing in places you can't see from the ground. Siding takes hidden hits that show up months later as warped panels or moisture intrusion. The contractor you choose has to know how to spot all of it, document it for your insurance carrier, and rebuild it to manufacturer specifications.

The wrong contractor leaves you with a patch job, a closed claim, and damage that quietly worsens behind your walls. The right contractor leaves you with a fully restored home, a clean paper trail, and a transferable warranty. In Aurora and across Kane County, that gap is wider than most homeowners realize.

The Storm Chaser Problem in the Fox Valley

After every major Illinois storm, out-of-state crews descend on neighborhoods like Stonebridge, Oakhurst, and the historic east side. They knock on doors offering free inspections, pressure homeowners to sign contingency agreements on the spot, and promise to handle every detail of the claim. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Once the work is done — or half-done — they're gone, and so is the warranty.

The Illinois Attorney General's office has issued repeated consumer alerts about storm-chasing contractors, and Kane County homeowners are a frequent target because of how often severe weather rolls across the prairie.

How to Spot an Out-of-Town Operation

Look at the license plates and the truck graphics. Ask how long they've been in Aurora and where their physical office is located. Search the business name plus Illinois and see whether the results actually point to a local company or to a website that could have been spun up last week. A real local restoration partner has a verifiable footprint here — not just a magnetic sign on a rented pickup.

9 Non-Negotiables When Vetting a Storm Restoration Contractor

1. Illinois License and Local Business Registration. Illinois requires roofing contractors to be licensed by the state. Ask for the license number and verify it through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A reputable Aurora contractor will hand it to you without hesitation.

2. Proof of Insurance — Both Liability and Workers Compensation. If a worker is injured on your roof and the contractor doesn't carry workers comp, the liability can land on you. Ask for current certificates of insurance and call the issuing agent to confirm.

3. Verifiable Local Reviews and a Real Project Gallery. Look for reviews that mention specific Aurora-area neighborhoods, project types, and timelines. A photo gallery of recent local work tells you more than a five-star average ever will. You can see recent Aurora-area projects on our gallery page.

4. Written, Itemized Estimates. A trustworthy estimate breaks down materials, labor, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, disposal, and permit fees. If a contractor hands you a single number on a half-page form, keep looking.

5. Manufacturer Certifications. Certifications from manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, or James Hardie mean the contractor has been trained and approved to install those products to spec — and that they can offer extended warranties most contractors can't.

6. Real Insurance Claim Experience Without Overpromising. A good restoration contractor knows how to document damage, meet adjusters on the roof, and supplement a claim when something is missed. What they should never do is promise to waive your deductible or guarantee a claim approval. Both are illegal in Illinois.

7. A Real, Local Address. Drive by it. A P.O. box or a virtual office is a warning sign. A real shop, real signage, and real trucks parked there are good signs.

8. Clear, Written Warranty Terms. Ask exactly what is covered, for how long, who honors it, and whether it transfers if you sell the home. Read the document — don't accept verbal promises.

9. No Pressure. No Same-Day Signing. Any contractor who tells you the price is only good today, or that you have to sign before they'll inspect, is not someone you want on your roof. A good contractor wants you to make an informed decision, not a fast one.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

How long have you been operating in Aurora and the Fox Valley? Can I see three recent local projects similar to mine? Who is my point of contact from estimate through final inspection? How do you handle change orders and supplements? What does your timeline look like, and what happens if weather pushes it? What manufacturer warranty will my project qualify for? Will you meet my insurance adjuster on site? What is your process if something needs to be corrected after the job is complete?

The answers tell you almost as much as the credentials. You're listening for clarity, specifics, and a willingness to slow down and explain.

Red Flags to Walk Away From

A door-knocker who pressures you to sign a contingency or authorization form before you've seen a written estimate. A contractor who offers to pay or absorb your insurance deductible. A bid that is dramatically lower than every other bid you've received. Vague answers about licensing, insurance, or where the business is located. A request for a large deposit before any materials are ordered. No physical address, no local references, no manufacturer certifications. A push to start work before your insurance carrier has approved the scope.

If you see two or more of these, end the conversation. There are honest contractors in Aurora who will earn the work the right way.

How the Insurance Claim Process Should Actually Work With Your Contractor

A good storm restoration contractor partners with your insurance company — they don't replace it. Here's what the process should look like.

First, you file the claim with your carrier. Your contractor can help you document the damage with photos and notes, but the claim itself is between you and your insurer. Next, the adjuster schedules an inspection. Your contractor should be there, on the roof, walking the damage with the adjuster. This is where missed damage gets caught and where the scope of the eventual repair is set. Then comes the scope and pricing review. If the adjuster's scope misses elements your contractor documented — say, damaged ridge vents, bent gutter aprons, or hail-impacted soft metals — your contractor submits a supplement with photos and measurements. This is normal and expected. Finally, work begins once the scope is agreed to and materials are ordered. You pay your deductible and any non-recoverable depreciation. Your insurer pays the rest, often in two installments. A reputable contractor will explain every step in plain English. For more on filing, see our post on filing your storm damage claim.

Why Aurora Homeowners Choose a Local Restoration Partner

Velasquez Enterprise Inc. is based right here in Aurora. Our trucks have local plates, our reviews come from your neighbors, and our warranty doesn't disappear when the next storm rolls in. We're licensed and insured in Illinois, certified by major manufacturers, and we meet every adjuster on the roof so nothing gets missed. We don't pressure homeowners into same-day signatures, we don't offer to absorb your deductible, and we don't disappear when the job is done. That's not a sales pitch — it's just how exterior restoration should work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after a storm should I have my home inspected? Within a few weeks is ideal. Most insurance carriers require claims to be filed within a year, but damage can worsen quickly, and earlier documentation makes for cleaner claims.

Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends? No. In Illinois, the choice of contractor is yours. Insurance preferred lists are a convenience, not a requirement.

What if my claim is denied? A denial is not always final. A licensed contractor can document missed damage and help you request a re-inspection or supplement. If the denial holds, a public adjuster may be the next step.

How long does a typical storm restoration project take? A standard roof replacement takes one to two days. Siding and gutters can run a few additional days. Full exterior restorations after major storms typically wrap up in one to three weeks, weather permitting.

Ready for an Honest, Local Inspection?

If a storm rolled through your neighborhood and you're not sure whether your roof or siding took damage, the smartest first step is a careful, no-pressure inspection from a contractor who lives and works in the same county you do. Take a look at our exterior storm restoration services, see what neighbors are saying on our reviews page, and when you're ready, request a free inspection through our contact page. We'll show up, walk the roof, and tell you what we find — even if the answer is that your home came through just fine.