Public Adjuster vs Contractor · Any Carrier

Public adjuster or contractor? Two different jobs.

They get confused all the time. A public adjuster represents you and negotiates the settlement, and charges a fee or a percentage of the claim. A roofing contractor documents the damage, meets your adjuster, and does the work, and never takes a cut. Most straightforward storm claims just need the contractor.

$0inspectionAnycarrier~2 hrresponse0%of your claim

4.9 on 200+ Google reviews ·GAF Master Elite·Licensed in 24 states

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★★★★★ 4.9200+ GOOGLE REVIEWS

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GAF Master EliteTop 2% nationwide

FORTIFIED1 of 4 in WI

BBB A+10+ regions

InterNACHI100% staff certified

4.9 / 5200+ Google reviews

Two different jobs, often confused

Which do you need?

Pick the situation that sounds like yours. We will give you an honest read, even when that points to a public adjuster.

1Straightforward hail or wind damageClear, single-trade storm loss

2My claim was denied, but coverage seems clearDenied despite clear coverage

3A large, complex loss with several tradesMulti-trade property damage

4A big gap between the offer and repair costsOffer far below real cost

5The whole process feels overwhelmingToo much to manage alone

1Straightforward hail or wind damageClear, single-trade storm loss

2My claim was denied, but coverage seems clearDenied despite clear coverage

3A large, complex loss with several tradesMulti-trade property damage

4A big gap between the offer and repair costsOffer far below real cost

5The whole process feels overwhelmingToo much to manage alone

This is general guidance, not a recommendation for your specific claim, and we will tell you honestly if a public adjuster is the better fit, even though we are not one.

Side by side

Public adjuster vs. roofing contractor.

Same claim, two very different roles. Here is who does what.

What they doPublic adjusterRepresents youRoofing contractorBuckshot

Represents you in the claim✓✕

Negotiates your settlement✓✕

Charges a fee or % of your claimYes, fee or %Never

Inspects and documents the damage✕✓

Writes a repair scope and estimate✕✓

Meets your adjuster on site✓✓

Actually does the roof repair✕✓

Operates underAdjuster licenceContractor licence

Buckshot is a roofing contractor, the right column. We are not a public adjuster (Iowa Code §522C), and we never take a percentage of your claim.

What it costs you

A contractor never takes a cut of your claim.

A public adjuster charges a fee or percentage. With a contractor, you pay only your deductible on a covered claim.

The inspection is free and comes with no obligation. We document the damage, meet your adjuster, and complete the approved work, and we never take a percentage of your settlement. A public adjuster can be the right call in some situations, but for most storm claims a thorough contractor is all it takes.

This page is general information for homeowners and is not legal, financial or insurance advice. Buckshot General Contracting is a licensed roofing contractor; we are not Iowa public adjusters, nor do we offer public adjusting services (Iowa Code §522C). We do not negotiate or settle insurance claims on your behalf. Coverage decisions are made by your insurer, not by Buckshot, and we do not guarantee any claim outcome.

What a contractor can and cannot do

Clear about the line we do not cross.

Knowing exactly where a contractor role ends is how you know we are being straight with you.

What we can do

Document and build the roof

Inspect and photograph all of the damage
Write a repair scope and estimate for your insurer
Meet your adjuster on site to present the findings
Complete the approved work with our own crews

What we cannot do

The adjusting

Negotiate or settle your claim
Represent you as a public adjuster
Take a fee or percentage of your claim
Give legal advice on your policy

Being honest

When a public adjuster may make sense.

We are not one, and we will say so when it is worth considering. These are the situations where it can be.

A denied claim with clear coverage

When the coverage looks clear but the claim was denied, a public adjuster is one route worth weighing, alongside a documented re-inspection.

A large or complex loss

Multi-trade losses across the whole property can get complicated to value and coordinate; a public adjuster may help manage it.

A big gap in the numbers

When the insurer offer and the real repair cost are far apart, a public adjuster may help close the gap on your behalf.

You are overwhelmed

If the whole process feels like too much, a public adjuster can represent you across the entire claim, start to finish.

Most storm claims go smoothly when the damage is documented well and the contractor and adjuster are on the same page, which is exactly what we do.

BGC A contractor, not a chaser

Straight answers, no cut of your claim.

Some outfits blur the line between contractor and adjuster to sound like they will do more. We keep it clear: we document the damage, meet your adjuster, and complete the work. We do not negotiate your settlement or take a percentage of it. Here since 1979, any carrier, our own crews. GAF Master Elite, FORTIFIED-trained, BBB A+, licensed in 24 states.

GAF Master EliteTop 2% of US roofers

Works with any carrierWe meet your adjuster

0% of your claimNever a fee or cut

Our own crewsHere since 1979

How we help

The contractor side, done right.

Four things a thorough contractor does, and what makes most claims go smoothly.

We document the damage

A detailed, photographed inspection of the roof, siding and exterior in the format adjusters expect.

We build the scope and estimate

A repair scope and estimate for your insurer, so the approved work reflects the real damage.

We meet your adjuster

On site, to walk them through the findings, keeping the contractor and adjuster on the same page.

We complete the work

Our own crews do the approved repair; on a covered claim you pay only your deductible.

Homeowners trust us

4.9 stars, pulled straight from Google.

4.9 / 5 · 200+ verified reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Joy I 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. When the big storms came through the Madison-area in April 2026, I immediately started looking for a reputable roofer—who also understood the importance of weather-resistant materials that can withstand hail and wind. It didn’t take me long to find Brad from BCG. We had damage that needed to be repaired before the next round of storms came through later that day and Brad had a crew out within hours. Our neighbors also had damage, and when their roofing company didn’t show up, Brad and his crew also took on fixing their damage on the spot. The contracting process was done over email and we were able to clearly understand all of the options available to us. On the day of install, the crew was efficient and fast with their work. But also, mistakes can happen. And what matters to us is not that there’s perfection (because that’s not realistic), but how a contractor deals with a mistake. As they were taking down the tarps when they were finished with the roof, one of our lights next to the garage broke. Brad helped find a replacement online and had it shipped directly to our house! Such great service! All in all, we were very happy with Brad and the service we received from him and BCG. We’ve since recommended their services to several of our friends and neighbors who also had storm damage. While I hope we won’t have to do that again for a long time, we would work with BCG again in a heartbeat!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Shelly Ziegler 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am extremely pleased with the service Matt Walmer from Buckshot General Contracting (BGC) provided for me during the hailstorm damage in Madison in April. I had just switched insurance companies one year ago and was worried about how much they would cover. Matt assured me everything would be taken care of and had nothing to worry about. True to his word he immediately answered phone calls during off hours even when he was with daughter at volleyball and answering texts in seconds Matt met up with assessor and arrived 20 minutes early. During roof replacement he stopped in 3 times to check the progress and next day he came back to do a walk around to make sure the cleanup was to his standards. I have been so blessed to work with Matt at BGC as my contractor as everything went so smoothly. No problems with my insurance company and I was the first one on my block to get my roof done. I also was telling Matt about some of my neighbors having problems with their insurance and he was willing to look at their paperwork and giving them advice on how to deal with them. I can proudly say I announced to them how good Matt was and gave them his card. Thank you so much Matt for your excellent service and being a great representative for Buckshot General Contracting. These days days it’s hard to find a business that is 100% committed to making sure the customer is their #1 concern. Going to be doing more work and sticking with them as I know it will be top quality.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amy Stephens 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We contacted BGC after storm damage and had them completely re-roof and re-side our house, garage, and shed. The entire process was incredibly smooth from start to finish. They were easy to work with, handled all the details, and made what could have been a stressful situation completely worry-free. Our contact, Jayce Kirkland, was outstanding. His professionalism, communication, and courteous demeanor were truly a breath of fresh air. He took care of everything for us and made sure the project stayed on track every step of the way. We couldn’t be happier with the experience and have and would highly recommend BGC to anyone needing roofing or siding work!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rob Anast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very customer focused company.  Replaced my roof and siding after hail and wind damage 6 years ago.  Second hail and damage storm this year and they are my vendor of choice again.  In process now to replace my roof and siding.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   paolo masone 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brad gave me a good price and the roof looks great!  The roof was replaced in one day.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Doug Cooper 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They did an excellent job! Fast, efficient and did a great job cleaning up.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   christos karampetsos 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My family member needed a roof replacement after the recent storm in Madison , Chad came out to inspect the roof and went over the options with us. Full roof replacement and the new roof looks GREAT, they were done with in 2 days and left no mess behind which was very thankful for. Thanks !!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jason Montez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. *update* number 2 I have been through about 4 different people now to get my issue fixed. They came and fixed the side that was leaking. The contractor that came out confirmed the siding wasnt installed properly and put in some flashing to fix the issue. Since it wasnt installed right i wanted the rest of the house done to prevent other issues and the company agreed to do that. Still not done and now im dealing with yet another person who has not contacted me to resolve my issue. Told them when this job was completed i wanted a new patio door as well to get the last year of the energy credit. Crickets. I have been very patient, but am beyond frustrated at this point. *update* After posting i was contacted regarding my review. Turns out the reason i wasn’t contacted was because my salesman is no longer with the company and never responded to tell me that when i called him (his number was still correct at the time of the call). I had a rep come to my home and immediately discuss solutions to the issue. Everything was done properly on my home, its just one of those things no one could foresee. I am beyond happy with the speed things are moving once i was contacted. Already making plans for additional work needed next season. Had windows and siding done. The windows crew was fantastic. Personable as well as professional. Siding crew was also great. My issue comes with the after care. My basement was leaking during rains. It also leaked running the sprinkler for new grass. Contacted my salesman and never heard back. Been probably a month? Had a contractor friend of mine come look and the issue was the siding wasnt ran low enough (or a piece of flashing would have worked as well) to stop water from coming through the basement from under the sill plate. Id have even paid to have it corrected, but no call. My issue is a simple one, but the aftercare deserves a one. The total score is because their crews were great. The people in admin simply need to be better. I had to remove foam that was trafficking water in and will be using flex seal to create a barrier since no call was made back. Update as of april, 2026. After some frustrating back and forth one of their contractors came our and looked at my situation late summer of 2025. Confirmed the siding wasnt done properly and installed flashing where the leak was and i haven’t had an issue since. Despite the numerous tornados weve had. With that said, Fall of 2025 i told them (after being informed the siding wasn’t done properly by their guy) i told them while the basement no longer seems to leak, i want the rest of the house covered with that flashing incase their are other problems. i dont want to refinish my basement to discover issues. The “salesman” essentially accused me of only wanting free things and after him explaining to me how awesome he was and that i was wrong, i stopped the phone call. The subcontractors they hire are overall solid, but some of the staff have made the company unusable for me. Just be cautious if you use them. Communication is great… until they get your money.

See all Google reviews →

Frequently asked

Adjuster or contractor, answered.

What is the difference between a public adjuster and a roofing contractor?

A public adjuster is licensed to represent you and negotiate the settlement with your insurer, and typically charges a fee or a percentage of the claim. They do not do the repair. A roofing contractor inspects and documents the damage, provides a repair scope, meets your adjuster, and does the approved work, and never takes a cut of your claim.

Is Buckshot a public adjuster?

No. Buckshot is a licensed roofing contractor; we are not Iowa public adjusters, nor do we offer public adjusting services (Iowa Code §522C). We document the damage and do the work, but we do not negotiate or settle claims on your behalf.

Do I need a public adjuster for a normal storm claim?

Usually not. Most storm claims go smoothly when the damage is documented well and the contractor and adjuster are on the same page. For straightforward hail or wind damage, a thorough contractor is usually all most homeowners need.

Can a contractor talk to my insurance company?

Yes. A contractor can inspect and photograph the damage, provide a repair scope and estimate, and meet your adjuster on site to communicate the findings. A contractor cannot negotiate or settle the claim. That is a public adjuster role.

What does an inspection cost?

Nothing. The inspection is free, works with any carrier, and comes with no obligation. On a covered claim you pay only your deductible.

What if my claim is denied or underpaid?

A thorough re-inspection and documentation can support a reconsideration, and in some cases a public adjuster may be worth considering. We document the damage either way; coverage decisions are made by your insurer, not by Buckshot, and we do not guarantee any outcome.

Where we work

Free claim inspections across southern Wisconsin.

Two offices, our Madison, WI headquarters and our Brodhead, WI office, serving homeowners across Dane and Milwaukee counties and into southern Iowa.

● Wisconsin · Headquarters

Madison, WI Office

621 N Sherman Ave, Suite B5
Madison, WI 53704

Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM · 24/7 Storm Line

(608) 909-9109 · Directions →

● Wisconsin · Brodhead Office

Brodhead, WI Office

17312 W Hafeman Rd
Brodhead, WI 53520