1. [Home](/) 2. [Guides](/guides/) 3. [Storm and hail damage: what to do](/guides/storm-damage-guide/) 4. How to avoid storm-chaser roofers # How to avoid storm-chaser roofers After a big storm, door-knockers and yard signs show up fast in Dayton-area neighborhoods. A few simple checks help you hire someone who will still be around when you need them. ## Key takeaways - Confirm a local address and phone number you can verify on your own. - Call references from jobs in your area, ideally a few years old. - Get written, itemized estimates from more than one roofer. - Never sign a contract on your doorstep or before your insurer has seen the roof. - Walk away from anyone who offers to cover your deductible or wants full payment up front. ## What storm chasing looks like Storm chasers follow severe weather from region to region. After hail or high winds, they arrive within days, knock on doors, leave flyers and offer quick inspections. Some are legitimate contractors who travel for work. Others take deposits, do rushed work or none at all, and are gone before the first leak shows up. The trouble with an out-of-town crew isn't always the install itself. It's what happens afterward. A roof can leak months later, often after the first winter, and you need someone to call. If the company has no local presence, getting them back can be difficult or impossible. ## Check for a real local presence Before you let anyone start work, confirm a few things: - **A physical address nearby.** Look it up yourself. A post office box or a hotel doesn't count. - **A local phone number.** Call it during business hours and see who answers. - **Local references.** Ask for addresses of roofs they did in your area a few years ago, then call those homeowners or drive past. - **Proof of insurance.** Ask for certificates of liability and workers' compensation coverage. You can call the insurance agent listed to confirm they are current. - **Permits.** Many local building departments require a permit for roof work. Ask who will pull it, and expect the contractor to handle it. Online reviews from local customers help, especially ones that mention how problems were handled after the job. ## Get written, itemized estimates A good estimate is in writing and spells out the scope of work. It should list: - tear-off or overlay, and how many layers are coming off - shingle type - underlayment, flashing and vents - how damaged decking will be handled - cleanup - what warranty, if any, comes with the work Get estimates from more than one roofer, and compare them line by line rather than by the total alone. Be cautious if an estimate is vague or a salesperson pushes you to commit before you have seen it on paper. If you are filing a claim, the estimate should line up with what was actually damaged. Read [how roof insurance claims usually work](/guides/storm-damage-guide/roof-insurance-claims/) for how the adjuster's estimate fits in. ## Don't sign on the spot The most common pressure tactic is a document handed over on the doorstep. Some are presented as an inspection form or an authorization but actually bind you to that company for the whole job, or give them a say in your insurance claim. Read everything before you sign, and take your time. A few rules of thumb: - Don't sign anything until your insurer has inspected and you understand what is covered. - Don't sign over your claim rights or insurance payments to a contractor without fully understanding what that means. - Ask about cancellation rights. Federal and state rules often give you a short window to cancel certain door-to-door contracts. Get the terms in writing. - Pay a reasonable deposit at most, never the full amount before work begins. If you already signed something and have doubts, read the cancellation terms right away. The consumer protection office of your state attorney general can answer questions. ## Red flags worth walking away from Any one of these is a reason to slow down. Two or more is usually a reason to say no. - An offer to waive, cover or absorb your deductible. That can amount to insurance fraud, and it puts you at risk too. - A promise that the roof will cost you nothing out of pocket. - Pressure to decide today, or a price that is only good right now. - A demand for cash or full payment up front. - A salesperson who climbs your roof without permission or claims to find damage you can't see in any photo. - No written contract, or a contract with blanks left to fill in later. A properly tarped roof can wait a few days while you check out the person you are about to hire. For more on what to do after a storm, see the [storm and hail damage guide](/guides/storm-damage-guide/). ## Frequently asked questions Is every out-of-town roofer a storm chaser? No. Some reputable contractors travel after big storms to help with demand. The concern is whether they will be reachable for warranty work and leaks later, so look for a verifiable local office, references and written terms. What should I do if I already signed with a door-to-door roofer? Read the contract and its cancellation terms right away, since some door-to-door contracts can be canceled within a short window. If you have questions about your rights, contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office or an attorney. 3 min read. ### Want us to handle it? Entrust Roofing works in Miamisburg, West Carrollton, Moraine, Springboro, Germantown, Centerville, Kettering, Dayton. [Get a quote](/contact/)[Call (937) 299-9993](tel:+19372999993) ### More in this guide - [Storm and hail damage: what to do](/guides/storm-damage-guide/) - [How to spot hail damage on a roof](/guides/storm-damage-guide/spotting-hail-damage/) - [How roof insurance claims usually work](/guides/storm-damage-guide/roof-insurance-claims/) ### Related services - [Roof Repair](/services/roof-repair/) - [Storm Damage Insurance Claims](/services/storm-damage/) ### Service areas - [Miamisburg](/areas/miamisburg/) - [West Carrollton](/areas/west-carrollton/) - [Moraine](/areas/moraine/) - [Springboro](/areas/springboro/) - [Germantown](/areas/germantown/) - [Centerville](/areas/centerville/) - [Kettering](/areas/kettering/) - [Dayton](/areas/dayton/) ### Other guides - [Replacing a roof in the Dayton area](/guides/roof-replacement-guide/) - [Gutters, leaks and keeping water out](/guides/gutters-and-leaks-guide/) ## Call (937) 299-9993 or send a quote request, and we'll set up a time to look at your roof. [Get a quote](/contact/) [Call (937) 299-9993](tel:+19372999993) --- **Entrust Roofing** · 790 Enterprise Ct., Miamisburg, OH 45342 · (937) 299-9993 · admin@entrustroofing.com [Get a quote](/contact/) · [Services](/services/) · [Guides](/guides/) · [FAQ](/faq/)