They knocked about your roof
A roofer just knocked on your door. Now what?
Roofers often canvass after storms, when they have a job nearby, or when they notice wear from the street. None of that means your roof needs to be replaced. Here's what they were likely getting at, and how to decide on your own terms.
Why they knocked
Why roofing salespeople knock
- 01
There's a job on your street
Once a crew is working nearby, knocking on the next few doors is cheap. It says more about their schedule than about your roof.
- 02
There was a storm
Wind and hail bring canvassers, especially during monsoon season. A storm in your area is a reason to take a look, not proof of damage.
- 03
Your roof looks its age from the street
Faded tiles, a patched section or a sagging gutter are easy to spot from the sidewalk. Visible age isn't the same as a failing roof.
- 04
Insurance work
Some roofers focus on storm claims. If a claim is approved, the job can be large, which is why the insurance conversation often comes up quickly at the door.
The short version
What they were probably trying to tell you
Most roofing pitches boil down to one message: something might be wrong, and they can check it for free. Sometimes that's genuinely helpful. Sometimes the inspection is mostly the start of a sale.
Your job isn't to decide at the door whether they're right. It's to decide whether anything you've seen or noticed yourself makes a closer look worth it, and then to choose who does that look.
Look for yourself
What's actually worth checking
- Water stains or discoloration on ceilings, especially after rain
- Tiles or shingles that are cracked, slipped or missing (visible from the ground)
- Granules from shingles collecting in gutters or at downspouts
- Flashing that looks lifted around chimneys, vents or walls
- Soft spots, sagging or daylight visible in the attic
- How old the roof is, and whether it's had any repairs since you've owned the home
Decoded
Common claims at the door
“We noticed storm damage on your roof.”
What it may mean
They may have seen something real, or they may be describing what storms commonly do. From the street, it's hard to be specific.
What to verify
- Ask exactly where the damage is and what kind it is
- Ask for photos, and check that they show your roof (look for your vents, chimney or neighboring trees)
- Check the storm date against local weather reports
- For storm-damage insurance repairs, the estimate should include photos of the damage and say whether anyone actually got on the roof
Ask them
- What specifically did you see, and from where?
- Would you put that in writing with photos?
Get a second opinion
If the photos are unclear, don't obviously show your roof, or you're being asked to sign before seeing anything.
“Your insurance will probably cover it.”
What it may mean
Some storm damage is covered by some policies. Whether yours applies depends on your policy, your deductible and what your insurer's adjuster finds.
What to verify
- Read your policy or call your insurer directly
- Know your deductible before anyone files anything
- Be careful with any agreement that ties the contractor to your claim before the claim is decided
- For storm-damage insurance repairs, Arizona doesn't allow the contractor to promise your insurance will cover the work, or to pay or cover your deductible
Ask them
- Are you asking me to sign anything related to my insurance claim?
- What happens if the claim is denied?
- Are you offering to cover my deductible?
Get a second opinion
Before you sign anything that involves your insurance claim.
“We're already working in the neighborhood.”
What it may mean
Probably true, and it can mean a better price or faster scheduling. It doesn't tell you anything about your roof.
What to verify
- The company's name, license and reviews, the same as you would for anyone else
Ask them
- Which job are you working on nearby?
- Can I see the license number?
Get a second opinion
If a neighborhood discount is being used to rush your decision.
“We can inspect it for free.”
What it may mean
Free inspections are common and can be useful. They're also how many roofing sales begin, so treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.
What to verify
- Who will go on the roof, and whether they're with a licensed company
- That you'll get the findings in writing, with photos
- That you're not signing anything to get the inspection
Ask them
- Will I get photos of everything you find?
- Is there anything I need to sign first?
Get a second opinion
If the free inspection finds a large problem and the price comes the same day.
“You need to act quickly.”
What it may mean
Active leaks do get worse, and that part is real. But most roof decisions can wait long enough to read a proposal and compare options.
What to verify
- Whether there's any water getting inside right now
- When the offered price actually expires, and why
Ask them
- What happens if I wait two weeks?
- Why does this price end today?
Get a second opinion
Any time urgency is the main reason you're being asked to decide.
“Your roof looks old.”
What it may mean
It may be. Age alone doesn't mean replacement, especially on tile roofs, where the tiles often outlast the layer underneath that actually keeps water out.
What to verify
- The roof's actual age (closing documents or permit records can help)
- Whether repair is an option, not just replacement
Ask them
- Is repair an option, or only replacement?
- What would you do if this were your house?
Get a second opinion
If only full replacement is offered and repair is never discussed.
Pressure check
Red flags vs. normal sales behavior
Slow down if you see
- Pressure to sign today to keep a price
- Asking you to sign something before an inspection or before your insurance claim is decided
- A large deposit up front (for storm insurance repairs, Arizona caps it at half the contract)
- Offering to pay, waive or cover your insurance deductible
- Starting work before your insurer has decided the claim (unless it's an emergency repair)
- No license number, or reluctance to share one
- Photos that don't clearly show your roof
Normal sales behavior
- Knocking because they're working nearby
- Offering a free inspection
- Leaving a card and a written estimate
- Following up once or twice
- Mentioning that storms can cause damage
Before you agree
Questions to ask
- 01Can I see your contractor license number?
- 02Will you give me the findings in writing, with photos of my roof?
- 03Is repair an option, or only replacement?
- 04What exactly is included in the price, and what isn't?
- 05Who pulls the permit, if one is needed?
- 06What's the warranty on labor and materials, and who backs it?
- 07What's the payment schedule?
Your call
Do you actually need someone to look at it?
A few quick questions to help you think it through. This isn't a diagnosis, and it can't see your roof. It's a way to sort out how much of this came from the pitch and how much from what you've noticed yourself.
Your result
0 of 6 answered
Answer each question to see a plain-English take. Nothing is sent anywhere.
This isn't an inspection or a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional who looks at your property can tell you what it needs.
Second opinion
Get the second opinion, not the sales pitch.
Tell us what they said and send what they showed you. We'll review it and point you toward the next sensible step.
No knock. No pressure.
FAQ
Questions homeowners ask
Do I have to let a roofer on my roof?
No. You decide who inspects your roof and when. It's reasonable to say you'll think about it and get back to them.
Is a free roof inspection really free?
Usually, yes. The inspection is how many roofing companies start a sale, so expect a recommendation and a price afterward. Ask for photos and written findings either way.
How can I check whether a roofing contractor is licensed in Arizona?
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has a public license lookup. Ask for the license number and check it yourself before signing anything.
Should I call my insurance company before or after an inspection?
Your insurer is the only one who can tell you what your policy covers. Many homeowners call them directly before signing anything with a contractor about a claim.
Can I cancel a contract I signed at the door?
Usually, yes. Under Arizona law and the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule, you can generally cancel a door-to-door sale until midnight of the third business day after you sign. The FTC rule covers sales of $25 or more, and the seller has to give you written notice of your right to cancel. It usually doesn't apply if you invited the seller over or made the appointment yourself. For storm-damage insurance repairs, Arizona adds two more windows: you can cancel within 4 business days of signing, for any reason, and within 72 hours after your insurer tells you the claim was denied. The Arizona Attorney General's door-to-door sales page has the details.
Can a roofer handle my insurance claim for me?
Not in the way some pitches suggest. In Arizona, a contractor doing storm repairs can't act as your adjuster or negotiate the claim for you. With your permission, they can talk to your insurer about the damage, without charging you for it. The claim itself is handled by your insurer, or by a licensed public adjuster you hire separately.
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No knock. No pressure.