Guide · Texas · Updated 2026-10-19

How to spot a storm-chasing roofer in Texas

After a big hail storm, it is common for crews from out of state to show up in Texas neighborhoods within days, going door to door offering free inspections and fast repairs. Some are legitimate roofing companies following the work. Others are "storm chasers," crews that disappear once the season ends, leaving homeowners with bad work, voided warranties, or an insurance claim they never should have signed over. Because Texas does not license roofing contractors at the state level, telling the two apart is up to you. Here is what to watch for and how to check who you are actually hiring.

Red flags to watch for

Unsolicited door-knocking right after a storm. A legitimate local roofer can usually wait a day for you to call them. A crew canvassing your street an hour after the hail stopped is working off the storm, not a relationship with your neighborhood.
Pressure to sign before your insurance adjuster has even been out. Reputable roofers will inspect and give you a written estimate, but a storm chaser pushing you to sign a contract, or an "assignment of benefits," before your own adjuster has assessed the damage is trying to lock in the job before you can compare anyone else.
Offers to waive or rebate your deductible. This is illegal in Texas, not just a bad deal. See the law below.
Offers to handle your insurance claim for you. A roofer promising to negotiate your settlement or get you the "maximum payout" while also bidding the repair work is acting as an unlicensed public adjuster, which Texas law does not allow.
No permanent local address or out-of-state plates and phone numbers. A company that cannot point to a local office or years of local jobs is harder to come back to if something goes wrong.
Demands for full payment up front, or a large deposit before any work starts. TDI's own consumer advice is not to pay in full up front for exactly this reason.
A contract with blank spaces, vague scope of work, or no written warranty. If the price, materials and warranty terms are not all spelled out before you sign, you have no way to hold anyone to them later.
"Sign today" urgency. Legitimate quotes do not usually expire by sundown.

Texas law on deductibles and public adjusters

Texas passed a law, effective 1 September 2019, specifically to deal with roofing scams tied to insurance claims. The Texas Department of Insurance summarizes the two core bans:

It is illegal for a contractor or roofer to offer to waive your deductible or promise to rebate all or part of it. Violators can face a fine up to $2,000 and up to six months in jail.
Texas does not allow a roofer or contractor to act as a public insurance adjuster on a claim if they are also doing the repair work, meaning they cannot negotiate your settlement or claim to represent you on coverage questions.

State law also requires any contract of $1,000 or more tied to an insurance settlement to include written notice that you owe your deductible, and insurers can ask you to prove you paid it. If you run into either of these tactics, TDI's advice is to report it to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.

Texas has no state roofer license, so check what does exist

Unlike electricians or HVAC contractors, roofing contractors in Texas do not need a state license to operate. Anyone can call themselves a roofer, with or without experience, insurance or a permanent business. That gap is why a voluntary industry program exists: the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) runs its own licensing program, offering a Residential Roofing License, a Commercial Roofing License, and a combined license, each requiring the applicant to have been a principal at a Texas roofing company for at least two years, carry minimum insurance, and pass an exam. RCAT is clear that this is a voluntary industry credential, not a government license, and holding it is not required to work as a roofer in Texas. If a contractor claims an RCAT license, you can confirm it directly through RCAT rather than taking their word for it.

How to check a contractor before you sign anything

Confirm the business is real. The Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search lets you look up a company by name to see whether it is a registered, active entity in Texas.
Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance, then call the insurance company on the certificate to confirm the policy is active, rather than trusting a document the contractor hands you.
Get more than one estimate. TDI's own hail-damage guidance recommends comparing bids from several contractors before choosing one.
Check references and the Better Business Bureau for complaints, and search the company's name alongside words like "complaint" or "scam."
Ask how long they have worked in your specific city, and ask for addresses of other local jobs you can drive by.
Never let anyone sign on your behalf with your insurer, and never sign an assignment of benefits you have not read in full.

If you already have hail damage and are starting the claims process, our guide to filing a hail damage roof insurance claim in Texas covers the deadlines your insurer has to meet. And if you are past the claim stage and just comparing roof prices, see our guide to roof replacement cost in Texas.

Skip the door-knockers. Compare the ten most-reviewed roofing companies near you, all with a local track record.

See the top 10 roofing companies

Roof leaking, or hit by hail? Tell us what is going on and a top-rated Texas roofing company will call you to book a free roof inspection.

Common questions

Does Texas license roofing contractors?

No. Texas does not require a state license to work as a roofing contractor. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) runs a voluntary industry licensing program, but it is not a government requirement.

Is it illegal for a roofer to waive my insurance deductible in Texas?

Yes. Texas law makes it illegal for a contractor to offer to waive or rebate your deductible, with penalties up to a $2,000 fine and six months in jail.

How can I check if a Texas roofing company is legitimate?

Look the business up on the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search to confirm it is a registered active entity, call the roofer's insurance carrier directly to confirm coverage is active, check the Better Business Bureau, and get more than one estimate before you sign anything.

What is a storm chaser roofer?

A roofing crew, often from out of state, that follows major hail or wind storms to a region, solicits homeowners door to door, and may disappear once the season's work dries up, leaving little recourse if the work or warranty falls apart.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-19.