Spotting these roofing-scam red flags could save you thousands of dollars

Homeowners in the U.S. lose more than $13 million annually to home improvement scams, according to Inspection Support Network (ISN). And roofing scams are the most common of all, based on information from ISN's 2022 Home Improvement Scams Trends Report .

From Texas to New York and beyond, individual residents have lost tens of thousands of dollars to roofing scams in 2025, according to local news sources like ABC 7 in N.Y. , and with hurricane season upon us, homeowners in coastal and storm-prone areas are most vulnerable. As storms like Hurricane Erin gain speed, we're taking a closer look at some of these stories and talking through the red flags that can help you steer clear of predatory roofing scams.

Roofing scams target homeowners in storm-prone areas

Roofing scammers know it's easiest to target homeowners in places with frequent storm damage, and they often show up in the direct wake of a storm to offer fraudulent roofing services. These scammers are known as "storm chasers."

Homeowners in Sarasota, Fla., recently lost tens of thousands of dollars to a scam allegedly operated by FamilyFirst Roofing Group, as reported by local Sarasota news source WTSP-TV . According to the victims, the company targeted vulnerable residents in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season, requesting full payment upfront and taking months to complete subpar work that couldn't pass inspection. FamilyFirst has received about a dozen formal complaints through the Florida Attorney General's office and has had its Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation revoked.

While the victims blame the company for untrustworthy business practices, FamilyFirst claims the scam was operated by a group of former staff and subcontractors who worked at the now-defunct Sarasota office. This case underlines the value of choosing a roofer with a vetted, in-house crew and a clean reputation.

If you live in a storm-prone area, be wary of anyone suddenly offering roofing services after a big storm, and always reach out to your insurance company first before hiring a contractor for major repairs.

Door-to-door roofing scams are on the rise everywhere

Most legitimate roofing companies don't have to go knocking on doors to find business, so you're more likely to be scammed by a roofer who offers services you didn't ask for. This door-to-door tactic is extremely common among roofing scammers, especially in the wake of storms.

In Rockland County, N.Y., residents have been warned about fake roofing contractors scamming local homeowners out of large sums of money. This story comes from ABC 7 , which reported in April that one homeowner was scammed into paying close to $80,000 for fraudulent roof repairs. In some cases, these roofers completely removed roofs from homes that didn't need any roofing work to begin with.

As with many roofing scams, these fake contractors found their victims by going door to door and requesting payment up front. They also posed, in some cases, as crews from a reputable local roofing company, which highlights the importance of getting proof of your roofers' qualifications.

Fake roofers charging for fake roof damage

Also in April of this year, a woman in Tyler, Texas, was scammed into paying more than $60,000 when two men posing as roofing contractors convinced her she had major roofing damage, as reported by KETK and Fox 51 . After consulting with a licensed contractor, the woman learned there had been no pre-existing damage and that the roofing fraudsters had actually created the damage while performing a fake inspection. The man who took the money from the victim was arrested and charged with elderly financial abuse.

But these door-to-door roofing scams aren't just affecting homeowners in the U.S. Another recent story comes from Portsmouth, U.K., where trade-related scams are also on the rise, accounting for more than £80,000 of losses for Portsmouth residents since the beginning of 2025. The BBC spoke with several of the victims in March, including a retired woman who lost £35,000 to fake roofers and a man who was charged £9,000 for nine roofing tiles. The tiles were improperly installed by rogue roofers, causing leaks and black mold to form in the victim's home.

10 roofing scam red flags

To help you avoid these predatory schemes, we've detailed some of the most common roofing scam red flags. If you notice any of these signs, listen to your gut, call your insurance provider, and get a second opinion from a reputable roofing company.

1) Door-to-door roofers

The most common tactic of fraudulent roofers is offering unsolicited services door-to-door. This is especially common after big storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes, as scammers can take advantage of homeowners already concerned about potential roof damage. Reputable roofing companies rarely, if ever, find customers by knocking on doors.

As a rule, always be suspicious of unsolicited roofing services from someone you don't know, especially if you don't have a reason to believe you need roof repairs. If you're worried about the state of your roof, call your home insurance provider for guidance or reach out to a reputable local roofing company, like those featured in our Yahoo Local guide to the best roofing companies in the U.S.

2) Requests for full payment up front

If a roofer tries to charge you the full cost of a project before the work has even started, take this as a major red flag. While most roofing companies charge deposits (sometimes as high as 50%), a reputable provider will never charge you in full up front.

Be wary of roofers who charge especially large deposits, too. Anything over 50% is considered unusually high, but down payment amounts vary by region. Call around to a few different roofers in your area to find out what local competitors are charging to determine if a roofer's practices are typical or predatory.

3) Unusually low roofing estimates

While high upfront prices can be a red flag, extremely low roofing estimates may be a bad sign too. A common scam technique employed by some untrustworthy roofers is to offer a super low bid upfront to reel in the customer, then introduce hidden or surprise costs later. By then, you've already signed a contract and you may be responsible for paying whatever the roofer charges, depending on the contract's language.

While it's important to shop around for the best price, most roofers operating in the same town or city will charge similar prices for services. If a roofer is charging significantly less than competitors, do plenty of research before hiring them to make sure they have solid reviews, proper licensing and no significant history of customer complaints.

4) Lack of licensing or insurance

If a roofing company doesn't have (or can't prove) proper licensing and adequate insurance, keep yourself safe by choosing a different roofer.

In most places, roofing contractors are required to be licensed by the state, county or city where they operate, and a reputable contractor should also carry robust insurance, including liability insurance and workers' compensation.

Keep an eye out as well for roofers who ask you to acquire your own roofing permit. Legitimate roofers typically handle the permitting process on behalf of customers, and being asked to acquire your own permit could be a sign your roofer is no longer allowed to pull permits.

5) Handshake agreements in place of contracts

Having an official contract with your roofing company is an extremely important part of protecting yourself and your investment, so watch out for roofers who offer handshake agreements.

Even though it may be tempting to skip the paperwork, contracts are designed to protect both you and the company in case anything unexpected happens. Having your roofer's word isn't enough, especially if you haven't worked with them in the past and don't know them personally.

But don't just sign on the dotted line — make sure to read your roofing contract thoroughly before signing to make sure you're not agreeing to anything risky or unreasonable.

6) High-pressure or time-sensitive sales tactics

Making decisions about roof repairs and replacements is a serious process requiring time, thought and careful planning — and a trustworthy roofer understands this.

If a roofing contractor ever tries to pressure you into a sale, offers time-sensitive pricing or makes you feel uncomfortable about taking your time with the decision, find a different roofer. High-pressure sales tactics are a common way for contractors to pressure customers into paying higher rates, sometimes for services they may not even need.

7) Lack of online presence or customer reviews

We're all about having a small-business ethic at Yahoo Local, but any reputable roofing company should have at least some online presence and customer reviews.

If a roofer shows up at your door offering services but you can't find any evidence of the company online, it's best to find a roofer with a proven track record instead. Reading through customer reviews and BBB listings, for example, is an important part of finding a trustworthy roofing contractor.

8) Roofer wants to be too involved in the insurance process

It's common for roofing companies to offer insurance claims assistance for customers, but if a roofer wants to be too involved in the insurance process, this could be a sign of fraud.

For example, a disreputable roofer may try to convince you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreement , granting them permission to receive your insurance benefits directly from your home insurance company. They may do this under the guise of making the process easier on you, but it's often a tactic for stealing part of your claim and defrauding your insurer. Not only does this rope you into insurance fraud, but it can also increase your insurance rates and make it harder to hold on to coverage in the future.

9) Roofers who only take cash payments

While some trustworthy roofers take cash, it's best to avoid working with roofers who only accept cash payment. This can be a sign that a roofing company is trying to operate under the table, which is illegal and may also be a sign that other shady business practices are at play.

Most roofing companies accept personal or cashier's checks, credit cards and debit cards, and some may even take digital payments like bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. If possible, pay for your roofing services with a credit card or a protected digital payment service, as this can help you safeguard your purchase.

10) Unsolicited offers for free roof inspections

Free roof inspections aren't always an immediate red flag, as many trustworthy roofers offer them as promotional services to prospective customers. But if a roofing company offers you a free inspection out of the blue, this should be seen as a major red flag, especially if they cold-call you or show up at your door uninvited.

Some fraudulent or fake roofers use "free roof inspections" as an excuse to get up on your roof and create damage that they can then charge you to fix. Never let anyone onto your roof until you have documented proof that they are a licensed and insured roofing contractor or home inspector.

Spotting these roofing red flags could save you thousands

Roofing scams are all too common across the U.S., costing homeowners billions each year, but you don't have to fall victim to one if you know what to look for.

Many door-to-door roofing scammers target homeowners in storm-prone areas, and they often offer services the homeowner doesn't even need. Keeping up with annual roof maintenance and inspections can help protect you from this type of scam, as you'll already know the state of your roof and whether you need any repairs. If someone claiming to be a roofer shows up at your door offering services, politely decline and tell them you'll reach out to your preferred local roofer instead.

The best way to protect yourself from roofing scams is to do plenty of research before hiring a roofer or letting anyone up on your roof. Remember that you never have to pay for home improvement services under pressure, even during an emergency. For more help on this, see our guide to the questions you should always ask a roofing contractor before hiring .

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