Roofing Scams After a Storm: How to Tell a Real Roofer

Updated 2026-10-24 · Sources checked

"Can hail do that or did he rip off my single?"

A homeowner who started a thread on r/Roofing asked this after a roofer who stopped by went up on the roof and showed photos of damage. You can't settle that by guessing at the door. Judge by what the person asks you to sign or pay, and by who chose whom, not by the story. You decide who inspects your roof, and you don't have to decide today.

Quick answer:

Say "I'll call you," and check the person out before you sign or pay anything.
Look at your roof from ground level only¹.
Photograph what you see, with the date.
Check your policy and your deductible, then contact your insurer or a roofer you choose, never one who shows up uninvited².

On this page

Why is a roofer's story so hard to judge?
Red flags in what they ask you to sign or pay
Checks before anyone touches your roof
Who should you call after wind and hail damage?
While you wait for an inspection: your checklist
Quick questions

Closing the door and taking a flyer costs you nothing, and it gives you time to check.

Why is a roofer's story so hard to judge?

You can't check a stranger's story from the driveway, and a friendly manner proves nothing. One commenter on r/homeowners put the worry this way: "I just easily trust people? Especially when they seem nice and knowledgable."

What you can check is paperwork and pressure: what you are asked to sign, what you are asked to pay, and who picked whom. The next sections take those one at a time.

Red flags in what they ask you to sign or pay

A rush to sign and pay. A legitimate contractor won't pressure you to sign a contract and hand over a deposit on the spot³.
An assignment of benefits. This form hands your insurance claim rights to someone else. In North Dakota, being asked to sign one is a warning sign of storm contractor fraud⁴. In Oregon, signing one means signing away your right to control many decisions about the repair of your home⁵.
An offer to cover your deductible. Your deductible is the share of a loss you pay before insurance does. In Texas, it is illegal for contractors to waive your deductible or help you avoid paying it⁶.

None of these tells you whether you are dealing with a shady roofing company. They tell you when to stop and check.

Signed something at the door and unsure what it commits you to? What a roof replacement contract should spell out.

Checks before anyone touches your roof

Before a roofer goes up, confirm the contractor's license with your state or county government, ask for proof of insurance and get a written contract⁷.

You can send this:

Please put the work, the total price and what I pay at each stage in a written contract, and send your license number and proof of insurance. Please also send a photo of each problem you found.

If a roofer won't put this in writing, that is an answer too: weigh it against the bids that do.

Looking for a longer checklist to size up a roofer before anyone goes up? Questions to ask a roofer before you hire one.

Who should you call after wind and hail damage?

One commenter on r/Roofing landed on this plan: "Now I know to go look for my own roof guy and pay my deductible." The order below keeps both of your options open.

Stay on the ground and document. Look from the ground only, and photograph what you see, such as missing or damaged shingles⁸.
Prepare. Read your policy to see exactly what your responsibilities are⁹, and find your deductible. A wind and hail deductible can be set as a percentage, typically from 1 to 5 percent¹⁰, so it may not be a flat dollar amount. If you doubt the damage is above your deductible, a written estimate from a roofer you choose helps you decide. In Texas, if repairs cost about the same or less than the deductible, you may decide a claim is not worth filing¹¹.
Make the call, with your questions ready. Contact your insurance company or a roofer you choose, not one who shows up uninvited².
If you file a claim, wait for the inspection. Hold off on permanent repairs until the inspection is done and you have agreed on the cost¹².

Want an honest look at the roof without signing anything first? Is a free storm roof inspection safe to accept.

While you wait for an inspection: your checklist

Have these ready before you call:

Pictures of the damage, plus notes on what you saw.
Your policy and your deductible figure.
An estimate, if you were unsure whether the damage is above your deductible.
Your questions: what the inspection covers, who does the work, and what is in writing.
Anything a roofer asked you to sign, still unsigned.

Quick questions

What is the 25% rule in roofing? In Florida, the code limits repair, replacement or recovery to 25 percent of a roof or roof section in any 12-month period¹³. After that, the whole roofing system or section must meet the code. For a roof built, repaired or replaced to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, only the part being worked on has to meet the code¹⁴. Wherever you live, ask your local building department and your roofer whether a limit like this applies to your repair.

Is a free roof inspection a scam? The warning is about fake inspectors. In North Carolina, some fake inspectors may "find" damage and pressure you into speedy repairs², which is different from every roofer who offers a look. What matters is who chose whom and what you are asked to sign.

What if I already signed something? Keep your copy, sign and pay nothing more, and ask your state insurance department what the form means for your claim. A roofer's answer to that question alone is not enough.

Does a roofer have to file my claim? In Oregon, no: you can file a claim directly⁵ and get more than one bid for your repairs⁵.