Falling branches or trees, ice dams and damage from animals can all lead to serious roof problems for homeowners. While repairs of age-related damage and normal wear and tear on the roofing materials can be scheduled some time in the near future, emergency roof repair must be taken care of promptly. If you wait, or if you hire the wrong roofer for the job, you risk extensive damage to your home and your belongings.

When emergency roof repair is needed, how do you choose the right roofer for the job?

• Always check for licensing and insurance first.

  Any professional roofer will be prepared and willing to show you their licensing and insurance information. Local licenses are required in most areas to complete roof repair. Insurance — including workers’ compensation if a roofer is injured on the job — is equally important.

• Get referrals and read reviews.

  The best referrals come from trusted friends and family members who have had roof repair work done in the past. Independent online review sites can also help provide a good picture of how prior customers felt about any given particular company. Check with your local Better Business Bureau for complaints and comments as well.

• Consider what the job will cost and how quickly it will be done.

  When emergency roof repair is needed, the contractor’s response and appointment time is vital. While you may have to pay extra for a rush job, beware of price gouging. This is especially true in cases where a major weather event has caused damage to many houses in the area. Research roof repair companies carefully, and be very skeptical of anyone who comes knocking on your door offering you a special deal “if you pay cash now.

• Trust your instincts.

  Opportunistic “storm chasers” (such as those mentioned above) should raise a red flag when you are considering who to hire for your emergency roof repair job. Other red flags include companies that do not return phone calls promptly and roof repair representatives who seem reticent about answering questions and/or will not give you a clear estimate of the cost of repairing your roof. A professional roofer is just that — professional, in all respects. The quality of their customer service, their attention to detail and even their appearance should put you at ease and give you confidence that they will be a good choice.

It bears repeating: Serious roof damage requires prompt attention. If you are a home-owner in such an emergency situation, you will probably be stressed-out from worrying about your family’s well-being, as well as being concerned about your home itself and your furniture and other belongings. So it may seem like a daunting task to find a good, reliable, trustworthy roof repair service. But all you need to do is follow the tips outlined above to help you make the right choice. When you choose a reputable roofer who provides prompt, affordable, top-quality roof repair, your stress and worries will be quickly alleviated, replaced with the confidence and reassurance of having your home safely returned to an intact state.