How to check a roofer before hiring after a storm

Last reviewed Oct 11, 2026. General information from official state sources, not legal or insurance advice.

After a hailstorm or high winds, roofers often arrive in a neighborhood within days. Many are legitimate. Some aren't. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that scammers follow disasters, and state agencies echo the warning. A few checks before you sign can protect your home and your insurance money.

Warning signs officials list

• Large payments up front. The FTC warns that "scammers ask you to pay for everything up front." After severe storms in April 2026, Oklahoma's Attorney General urged homeowners to be "extremely cautious of contractors who demand large upfront payments or insist on cash transactions."
• Uninvited door-to-door offers. The FTC says home-repair scammers often "knock on your door… because they are 'in the area'" and may claim to "have materials left over from a previous job." Oklahoma's Attorney General lists "high-pressure sales tactics, unsolicited offers or contractors who show up uninvited" as red flags.
• Claims of government approval. FEMA says it "neither certifies nor endorses any contractor." Anyone claiming to be "FEMA approved" is misleading you.
• No written contract. Both the FTC and FEMA say to insist on one.

Step 1: Check the license or registration

Most states license or register roofers or contractors, and the state's record is the fastest way to see whether a business is legitimate:

• Oklahoma: every roofer, including out-of-state companies, must register each year with the Construction Industries Board. Check that the registration is current and in good standing.
• California: roofers need a C-39 license from the CSLB.
• Washington: roofers must be registered with L&I.
• Oregon: roofers need a Construction Contractors Board license.

Make sure the name on the license matches the name on the truck, the estimate and the contract. A license number alone isn't enough. California's licensing board warns that "seeing a license number doesn't necessarily mean the license is valid."

Step 2: Check the insurance

The FTC advises: "Confirm your contractor's license and insurance… and ask the contractor for proof of insurance." FEMA adds that "if the contractor is not insured, the homeowner may be liable for accidents that occur on the property," which matters on a job where people work on a roof. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it with the insurer directly (see how to verify a certificate of insurance). Check workers' comp as well as liability (see general liability vs. workers' comp).

Step 3: Get it in writing, and limit the deposit

• "Get a written contract and read it carefully," the FTC says. It should describe the work, materials, price, schedule and who pulls the permit.
• Don't pay in full up front. The FTC notes that "some states actually limit the amount of money a contractor can ask for as a down payment." In California, for example, a home improvement contractor can't ask for more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.
• "Never make the final payment until the work is done and you're satisfied," the FTC advises.

Step 4: Know your insurance-claim rights

If your roof will be paid for by an insurance claim, some states add protections. In Oklahoma:

• You can cancel a roofing contract within 72 hours of receiving written notice that your insurer denied all or part of the claim. The contract must explain this right.
• A roofer may not advertise or promise to pay all or part of your insurance deductible.

Be wary of any contractor who offers to "cover" your deductible, or who asks you to sign over insurance payments before work is done.

Step 5: Take your time

A legitimate roofer will still be there after you've checked their license, verified their insurance and compared a couple of written estimates. Pressure to sign today is a reason to wait.

If something goes wrong

Report problems to your state's licensing agency and attorney general. In Oklahoma, that's the Construction Industries Board ([email protected], 405-521-6550) and the Attorney General's consumer protection line (1-833-681-1895). Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

You can check a roofer's license status and insurance on file in seconds with our lookup, which is updated daily from official state records.