Working a North Carolina hail season without storm-chasing

Scenario, a hail line crosses your county on a Tuesday

Three days after hail, your phone rings all day and out-of-town trucks work the same streets. Homeowners have been warned about people like them, and they may lump you in.

The Attorney General's office says shady roofers study weather reports and target neighborhoods hit by stormy weather, especially hail. It tells homeowners to avoid roofers who knock on doors or leave flyers.

So how you reach customers is part of the pitch. Take calls and referrals, and do not canvass the affected streets.

The Attorney General says some roofers study weather reports and target recently stormy neighborhoods, especially after hail. — North Carolina Department of Justice, retrieved 2026-09-29

Deposits, written scopes and the three-day right

The Department of Insurance says a small deposit of 10 to 20 percent may be standard, with most payment after the work is done to the owner's satisfaction.

It also tells homeowners to ask for a written scope, materials list, timeline, cost breakdown and warranty. The Attorney General adds that some sales made at your home can be cancelled within three days.

Build your contract to those expectations. Put a deposit at or under 20 percent, list materials by brand and line, and print the cancellation notice if the sale happens at the home. A large hail job can also reach the $40,000 line once decking is added.

10 to 20 percentThe Department of Insurance says a small deposit may be standard at 10 to 20 percent, with most payment after completion. — North Carolina Department of Insurance, retrieved 2026-09-29

three daysSales at the consumer's home are eligible under state law to be cancelled up to three days after signing. — North Carolina Department of Justice, retrieved 2026-09-29

Exclusive contracts and the deductible you did not mention

The Attorney General's office describes two tactics. Roofers require an exclusive contract, so the owner cannot hire someone cheaper, and they omit the insurance deductible.

Answer both in writing. Let the owner get another bid before signing, and state that the deductible is theirs to pay. Do not offer to absorb it.

The deductibles page covers how those deductibles are set and why a promised waiver creates trouble for the homeowner.

The Attorney General says roofers often fail to mention that homeowners' policies include a deductible the owner pays out of pocket. — North Carolina Department of Justice, retrieved 2026-09-29

Assignment of benefits and the adjuster's first look

The Department of Insurance says never sign an assignment of benefits unless the legal implications are fully understood. It tells owners to call their insurer first and ask for an adjuster to inspect before anyone else goes on the roof.

Follow that order when you take a storm call. Ask if the claim is filed. Offer a written estimate, and do not ask the owner to sign over the claim.

A roofer who is willing to wait for the adjuster is easier to tell apart from the chasers. The job checklist has the pre-signing list.

The Department of Insurance advises homeowners to call their insurer and ask for an adjuster to view the roof before anyone else goes up. — North Carolina Department of Insurance, retrieved 2026-09-29

Questions