After a Texas hailstorm, roofers start knocking within days. Not every door-knocker is a scammer, but walk away from anyone who offers to cover your deductible, wants a large payment up front, pushes you to sign papers about your insurance claim on the spot, shows you "damage" you can't confirm on your own roof, or promises a "free roof." Verify a local address, an insurance certificate, reviews and a written estimate before you sign anything.
Hail reports are public, and some crews follow storms from city to city. Some of them do honest work; others are gone by the time a leak or a warranty question comes up. This guide covers the common tactics, how to check any contractor (including us), which Texas agencies to call and what the law says about canceling a contract signed at your door. It is general information, not legal advice.
Why do door-knockers show up after a hailstorm?
A big hail day in Harris or Montgomery County creates a lot of roof work in a short time, and it draws contractors from all over. Door-to-door sales are not illegal in themselves, and some cities have their own solicitation rules. What matters is what the person offers and what they ask you to sign. The Texas Department of Insurance advises homeowners to be cautious with door-to-door solicitation after a storm and to get written bids from local companies. Our guide on what to do after a hail storm covers the first steps before anyone climbs your roof.
What are the most common storm chaser roofing scams?
Common storm chaser roofing scams in Texas
| Tactic | What to know |
|---|---|
| The deductible waiver | "We'll take care of your deductible" sounds like a deal, but TDI states it is illegal for contractors to offer to waive your deductible or work it into a bid. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires you to pay it. |
| A large payment up front | TDI's page on signs of a contracting scam warns against contractors who demand large down payments or full payment before work begins, and notes this is particularly illegal for outside contractors working in declared disaster areas. |
| Signing before an estimate | TDI warns that some contractors ask you to sign before you have an estimate, and the paper turns out to be a binding contract. Never sign a contract with blank spaces. |
| Pressure to sign over your claim | Some push an assignment of benefits or a form that lets them "deal with your insurance" for you. Read anything that mentions your claim, your benefits or your insurer very carefully. TDI's page on roofing and insurance law explains that roofers can't act as public adjusters, and can't offer to negotiate or file a claim for you. |
| Fake or exaggerated damage | Photos from someone else's roof, or damage that was not there before the ladder went up. Ask for photos that show recognizable features of your house, and get a second inspection if something doesn't add up. |
| The "free roof." | There is no free roof on an insurance claim. You pay your deductible, and your insurer decides what the policy covers. |
How do I verify a roofing contractor in Texas?
Texas does not have a statewide license for residential roofing contractors, so you have to check other things. Before you sign:
- Confirm a local, physical address. Look it up on a map. A company you can visit next month matters when you need warranty service.
- Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it with the insurance agent listed on it. Check the dates and the company name.
- Read reviews on more than one site and check the Better Business Bureau. Call a few references for work done at least a year ago.
- Get a detailed written estimate on company letterhead: materials, scope, price, schedule and payment terms. Compare more than one bid.
- Ask about permits and who will pull one if your city requires it.
- Pay by check or credit card, as TDI suggests, so you have a record. Never pay cash up front.
For comparison, here is how we work: Storm Bolt Roofing is a family-owned contractor based in Spring, founded in 2022 and Liability Insured. We give written estimates and photo documentation you keep. We don't waive, absorb or rebate deductibles, we offer no gifts or rewards on insurance-paid jobs, and we don't negotiate claims; your insurer decides.
What Texas resources can I use?
Texas resources for storm scam questions
| Resource | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Department of Insurance Help Line | 800-252-3439 | For insurance questions and complaints about insurers or adjusters. |
| Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline | 800-621-0508, or file a complaint online | TDI points homeowners here to report deductible waiver offers. The Attorney General's guide to avoiding home improvement scams recommends several written bids, never paying in full up front and never signing a contract with blanks. |
| Local law enforcement | Not specified | Suspected scams (TDI also suggests it). |
Can I cancel a roofing contract I signed at my door?
Sometimes. The Texas Attorney General explains that under Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 601, certain door-to-door sales can be canceled within three business days. The rule applies when the seller solicits the sale somewhere other than its place of business, you agree to buy there, and you are buying more than $25 in goods or services. The seller must give you written notice of your right to cancel, with the date of sale, its name and address and where to send the cancellation.
If you want to cancel, do it in writing before the deadline, keep a copy and keep proof of when you sent it. Not every contract qualifies, so read yours and talk with an attorney if you are unsure.
What should I do if a door-knocker says my roof is damaged?
- Don't sign anything on the spot. Take a business card and say you will call back.
- Photograph what you can safely see from the ground: dented gutters, downspouts, shingle pieces in the yard.
- If you think there is damage, report it to your insurer yourself.
- Get an inspection from a contractor you chose and verified, and compare written estimates.
Not every mark on a roof is hail; our guide to hail damage vs normal wear shows the difference. If someone says they can adjust your claim and replace your roof, read our guide on public adjusters vs roofing contractors.
Storm chaser scam questions
Is it illegal for a roofer to offer to pay my deductible?
Yes. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires you to pay your deductible, and TDI says it is illegal for contractors to offer to waive it or promise a rebate. You can report the offer to the Attorney General at 800-621-0508.
How much should I pay up front?
There is no single number. TDI and the Attorney General advise against paying in full up front. Get the payment schedule in writing, tied to steps in the job, and pay by check or card.
Can a roofer file my insurance claim for me?
No. TDI explains that contractors can't act as public adjusters or offer to file or negotiate your claim. You report the claim; a roofer can inspect, document and estimate.
Want a second opinion from a local crew before you sign? Book a free, photo-documented inspection with no obligation, or call 832-860-0262. Storm Bolt Roofing serves Spring and Greater Houston, in English and Spanish. See our storm damage page for how we work.
