Have you ever had a roofer knock on your door right after a storm and wonder if it was a scam? Or maybe you saw an ad offering a “free roof” and thought, “Is this real?”
If you live in Northern Indiana or Southern Michigan, these situations are all too common—especially after hail or wind damage. Roofing scammers (often called “storm chasers”) rush in after bad weather, do fast and often poor-quality work, and vanish before you can ever call them back.
At Equity Roofing, we’ve seen the damage caused by roofing scams firsthand and have even been on the receiving end while helping homeowners. When someone trusts you with their roof, home, and money, that trust should be earned and respected. We don’t take kindly to contractors who take advantage of it.
In this article, we’ll break down the most common roofing scams in our area, how to spot the red flags early, and what to do if you’ve already been scammed. We hope you never need this information—but if you do, we want you to be prepared.
Roofing scams happen often in Indiana and Michigan for a few key reasons. The biggest contributor is that Indiana doesn’t require a license to become a roofer. That means anyone—even someone with no roofing experience—can start a roofing company, pull a permit, and knock on your door the same day.
Other factors that make this area a target include:
Michigan has stricter licensing laws, but that doesn’t stop scammers from crossing state lines after a big weather event. Once the work is done (or halfway done), they’re gone.
Some companies run ads that promise “free roofs” or rock-bottom pricing. But once you call, you find out the deal doesn’t apply to your situation—or never really existed.
These ads tend to target folks who are struggling financially and are hoping for help. They’re designed to get you to pick up the phone, not to actually give you a free roof.
This is one of the most common scams we see in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. A roof might look good from the ground, but underneath, the contractor skipped vital steps.
For example, instead of installing proper flashing, a contractor might use caulk, which leads to leaks and water damage. Complex rooflines, stone siding, and custom builds make these short cuts even riskier.
We’ve worked with a homeowner in Ogden Dunes, Indiana, who replaced their roof twice in two years—and still had leaks because both contractors cut corners.
Some roofers take your money and vanish. Others use your deposit to hire subcontractors—but never pay them. The subcontractors then come after you for payment.
In one case, a general contractor in the Wakarusa, Indiana area took full payment for a project, failed to pay any workers, and then told the homeowner he “ran out of money.” He hasn’t been seen since. That homeowner was left with unfinished home improvements and could face legal threats from unpaid subcontractors.
Sometimes your roof is covered by your insurance, but not always. You can only get a new roof through insurance if you’ve had storm damage and your insurance company approves it.
Years ago, full roof replacements through insurance claims were more common. Today, however, insurance companies are much more strict. No roofer can guarantee insurance approval, and if they say they can, that’s a red flag.
Yes, it’s very normal for roofers to ask for a deposit, especially to cover the cost of materials. But if a contractor insists on full payment with no flexibility, that’s something to watch out for.
There are safer ways to handle payments:
A reputable contractor will have consistent and clearly outlined payment terms and should not ask for more than 20-40% for a deposit. You can review our 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Comparing Roof Quotes guide for a real sample quote. Leav
| Situation | Red Flag? | What to Look For or Do Instead |
| Asks for partial payment upfront | No | Standard for materials—ask for a deposit guarantee |
| Demands full payment before materials arrive | Yes | Delay payment until materials are delivered on-site |
| Offers to hold money in escrow | No | Indicates transparency and financial responsibility |
| Gets defensive when asked about payment | Yes | Walk away—good contractors answer payment questions openly and have clearly written payment terms |
A contingency agreement is a form that says you’ll use the roofer if your insurance company approves the claim. It’s not a full contract, and it’s not legally binding in most states.
Contingency agreements were more popular years ago and are only helpful if you already trust the contractor. You should never be signed before you’ve vetted the company and feel comfortable working with them.
A storm chaser is a roofer who travels from out of state right after a storm, looking for quick jobs. They’ll knock on doors, offer fast repairs, and then disappear.
To protect yourself:
If you’ve been scammed by a roofer, take action quickly:
Some roofing companies—including ours—offer financing, which can help if you’ve already spent your savings on a bad contractor.
When it comes to vetting legitimate roofers, we look for five criteria that make up our Golden Standard. A trustworthy roofer might not check every box, but they’ll show a consistent pattern of professionalism.
Look for:
If someone says they’re certified, such as Platinum Preferred Contractors, you can confirm with the manufacturer. Many have online directories, which we’ve linked here. You don’t want to find out the hard way that they made it up and can’t actually provide the extended warranty they claim.
roofing scams are an unfortunate reality in our region—especially after storms when emotions are high and quick decisions are made. It’s not just about money; it’s about trust. And once that’s broken, it’s hard to rebuild.
Now that you know how to spot common scams, vet a contractor, and protect your home and finances, you’re in a much stronger position. You’ve seen the red flags to avoid and the qualities to look for in a roofing company you can trust.
Your next step? Check out our list of the top 10 vetted roofers in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. These companies meet at least 4 out of our 5 Golden Standards and have earned their place through consistent professionalism and trust.
At Equity Roofing, we’ll keep doing our part by sharing honest education like this, one article at a time. If we can help even one family avoid being taken advantage of this year, it’ll be worth it.