Hiring a Roofer

7 Roofing Scams to Watch Out For

Updated October 2026 · 6 min read · By the Knoxville Roofing Quotes team

Most roofers are honest. But after every big storm, Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) puts out warnings about fly-by-night contractors, because some people do lose money to roofing scams. Here are seven common ones, and the Tennessee rules that help you protect yourself.

1. The Door Knocker After a Storm

Not everyone who knocks is a scammer, but TDCI specifically warns homeowners to beware of contractors making door-to-door or telephone solicitations to repair roofs, and not to be pressured into signing on the spot.

Protect yourself:

• Don't sign anything that day, no matter what they say
• Ask for their Tennessee license number and verify it on the state's license search
• TDCI suggests writing down the contractor's license plate and driver's license numbers
• Get other quotes before deciding. Our East Tennessee roofer map lists local companies with links to their own websites

2. The "Free Deductible" Deal

Your deductible is part of your insurance contract. If a roofer pads the estimate to hide it, that's giving your insurer false information, and Tennessee's insurance fraud law makes it unlawful to present information you know is false in support of an insurance claim, or to help someone else do it. Other roofers "absorb" the deductible by cutting corners on the work.

Protect yourself:

• If anyone offers to waive or cover your deductible, ask exactly how, and be ready to walk away
• Make sure the estimate sent to your insurer matches the work actually being done
• If insurance is paying, know your rights under Tennessee's residential roofing law; see your rights when insurance pays for a roof

3. The Giant Upfront Payment

TDCI says state law limits home improvement deposits to no more than one-third of the contract price. It also advises against paying cash or paying in full before the work is done.

Protect yourself:

• Never pay more than one-third up front
• If the contractor needs money for materials, TDCI suggests going with them and paying the supplier directly
• Tie payments to milestones, with the final payment after the job is done and you've walked it
• Pay by check or card, never cash
• If insurance is paying, Tennessee law says the roofer can't require payment until your insurer confirms coverage in writing or your cancellation window has passed

4. The Pressure Close

Manufactured urgency is a classic tactic. A real emergency, like an open hole before rain, may need a tarp today, but it doesn't require signing a full replacement contract on the spot. Tennessee's roofing insurance law even bars roofers from misrepresenting that emergency repairs are necessary.

Protect yourself:

• Take a few days to compare written quotes
• If they won't honor the price tomorrow, let them walk
• For a true emergency, see our emergency roof repair page

5. The Permit Dodge

Permit rules for roofing vary between the City of Knoxville, Knox County and surrounding cities and counties, and not every job needs one. What matters is that the roofer knows the rule for your address and follows it. A contractor who offers to skip a required permit to save money is telling you how they handle rules.

Protect yourself:

• Ask whether your job needs a permit and who will pull it, and put the answer in the contract
• If you're unsure, call your city or county codes office
• If a permit is pulled, keep a copy of the final inspection

6. The Lowball Bait-and-Switch

Real surprises do happen, like rotted decking under the old shingles. But a price that keeps climbing is a warning sign.

Protect yourself:

• Be wary of a quote far lower than the others
• Get detailed written quotes listing everything included. Our quote comparison worksheet lines them up
• Get the price per sheet for replacing damaged decking in writing
• Make sure the contract requires your approval before extra work

7. The Phantom Contractor

Protect yourself:

• Verify a real business address
• Check the license. In Tennessee, a state contractor's license is required for projects of $25,000 or more, and in Knox County a Home Improvement license is required for home remodeling jobs, including roofing, from $3,000 to $24,999. Our guide to Tennessee roofing licenses explains the rules
• Ask for proof of insurance and call the insurer to confirm it
• TDCI suggests getting at least three references, and asking whether the work will be done by the licensed contractor's own employees or subcontracted

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

• Document everything: photos, contracts, texts, emails and payments
• Contact the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors at (800) 544-7693 or (615) 741-8307
• File a consumer complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs
• File a police report if they took money and disappeared. TDCI notes that a contractor who takes money and doesn't perform the work within 90 days may face felony theft charges under Tennessee law
• If you paid by card, ask your card issuer about a dispute
• Talk to a lawyer if significant money is involved

The Bottom Line

Legitimate roofers don't pressure you, don't demand big upfront payments, don't dodge permits, and don't make offers that sound too good to be true. Take your time, verify the license, and get it all in writing.

Related Articles

• 12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer
• How to File a Roof Insurance Claim
• What to Know About Hail Damage

Sources

• TDCI: Insurance and contractor tips after Winter Storm Fern (2026)
• TDCI: Tips to avoid scammers and fly-by-night contractors (2024)
• Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors: Contractor license requirements
• TDCI: Home Improvement license
• Tenn. Code Ann. 56-53-103: Unlawful insurance acts
• Tenn. Code Ann. 62-6-604: Payments under residential roofing contracts