Within a day or two of any hailstorm or wind event in Central Mississippi, trucks with out-of-state plates start working the neighborhoods in Florence, Brandon, Pearl, and Jackson. Most homeowners have never hired a roofer before, and the pitch sounds reasonable: free inspection, we work with your insurance, sign here and we will handle everything.
Sometimes that is fine. Often it is not. Storm chasers are contractors who follow severe weather from state to state, sell as many roofs as possible in a few weeks, and move on before the workmanship problems show up. Mississippi's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and State Board of Contractors issue the same warning after every major weather event. Here is what they say, and what we would add from the roofing side.
The red flags
They found you, not the other way around
A knock on the door right after a storm is the first signal. It is not proof of anything, but it should raise your guard, especially if the person cannot name a local address for the business or points to a truck with plates from three states away.
They claim damage without getting on the roof
"I can see from here that you have hail damage" is a sales line. Hail bruising is hard to confirm from the driveway. A real inspection means walking the roof, photographing what was found, and showing you the photos. If you did not get pictures, you did not get an inspection.
They want a big payment today
The Attorney General's guidance is blunt: do not pay in full up front. A reputable contractor can usually charge for materials, so there is no reason for a large deposit before any work has started. A payment schedule tied to completed work is standard.
They want you to sign over your claim
Do not sign documents that give a contractor the right to your insurance claim. Once you do, the contractor negotiates with your insurer and controls the money. State guidance is to get an invoice from your contractor and pay them directly, preferably with a credit card.
They offer to "cover" your deductible
Your deductible is the part of the claim you are responsible for. A contractor who promises to make it disappear is planning to either inflate the invoice to the insurer or cut corners on your roof to make up the difference. Either way, you are the one whose name is on the claim.
They pressure you to sign now
"This price is only good today" or "the adjuster is coming tomorrow so we need the contract signed tonight" are pressure tactics. Your roof will still be there next week. So will any legitimate contractor.
There is no license number, or it is someone else's
Mississippi requires a State Board of Contractors license for residential roofing work over $10,000. A contractor who cannot give you a license number, or gives you one that belongs to a different company, is telling you everything you need to know.
How to check a roofer in five minutes
- Ask for the license number and look it up on the State Board of Contractors search, or call the board at 800-880-6161. Confirm the company name matches and the license is active. Ours is #22693.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance. If a crew member falls on your property and the contractor has no coverage, that becomes your problem.
- Ask for a physical local address and how long the company has worked in the area. A roofer who lives here is around when the warranty matters.
- Search the company name with the word "reviews." Look for a pattern over time, not a burst of five-star reviews from the past month.
- Get everything in writing. State guidance calls for a written contract that details the work, the materials, a payment schedule based on completed work, and a timeline.
What a legitimate roofing contract looks like
You should be able to read the contract and know exactly what you are getting:
- The shingle or metal product by manufacturer and name, not just "30-year shingles"
- Tear-off, underlayment, ice-and-water barrier, flashing, drip edge, and ventilation spelled out
- A per-sheet price for decking replacement if rot is found
- The manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty, in writing
- A payment schedule, a start window, and cleanup terms
- The contractor's license number and insurance carrier
If any of those are missing, ask. If the answer is vague, keep looking. Our post on what drives roof replacement cost explains each line item.
Why storm chasers are a problem even when the roof looks fine
The damage from a bad storm roof usually shows up two to five years later. Reused flashing rusts through. Shingles nailed too high lose their seal and blow off in the next spring storm. Decking that should have been replaced sags. By then the company's phone number is disconnected and the "lifetime warranty" is a piece of paper from a business that no longer exists in Mississippi.
That is the real cost, and it is why local officials keep repeating the same advice. A roof is one of the largest purchases you will make on your home. It deserves a contractor who will still be here when you need them.
If you think you have been scammed
Report it to the Mississippi Attorney General's office through the Consumer Complaint Portal or by email at [email protected], and report unlicensed work to the State Board of Contractors. Keep the contract, receipts, and every text message. Then have a licensed local roofer inspect the work so you know what you are dealing with.
What we do differently
We are based in Florence and we work in Rankin, Hinds, and Madison County year-round. Our inspections are free and come with photos. Our quotes are itemized. We meet your adjuster on-site, but you file the claim and you control the money. If your roof does not need work, we will tell you that. Our storm damage restoration page explains the process, and our reviews are from neighbors you can look up.
