06:37 PM CDT on Friday, April 21, 2006

By OLGA CAMPOS / KVUE News

Hail and other storm damage has many homeowners in Central Texas scrambling to to hire a contractor for roof repairs.

KVUE News

Beware of hiring roofing contractors you haven't checked out thoroughly.

There's no shortage of work for Premiere Roofing in Pflugerville. Customers are calling the company to repair damage from hail storms that swept through Central Texas this week. And it's not just roofs. It's also windows, screens, gutters and fences.

"I think it's gonna keep us busy all the way through Christmas and probably thereafter," said Josh Faltesek, Premiere Roofing.

With the damage, comes a consumer warning.

"With the big storm like this you're gonna get contractors popping up from all over. They're gonna flock in from out of town," Faltesek said.

The Better Business Bureau says be wary of contractors.

"If they're asking for money upfront. If they're asking for cash. If they want you to make an immediate decision. If they're alleging they have left over roofing materials from their last job. Those are all red flags that you should be very careful of," said Carrie Hurt, Better Business Bureau.

You're best bet is to stick with local roofing companies that are BBB members who will provide references.

Customers who hire fly-by-night roofers may be forced to turn to reputable local companies later.

"We get a lot of work once all the contractors who come in town and promise warranties to homeowners, once they leave we take care of all the problems they end up having," Faltesek said.

To check roofing companies and other contractors you might be thinking about hiring, go to www.bbb.org.