Turnkey Roofing Contractors 
Apr 6, 2026 
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Residential License # 890459
Commercial License # 3667
Residential License # 890459
Commercial License # 3667
Hiring a roofer can be a stressful process, particularly after a storm or when trying to manage unexpected repair costs. Unfortunately, this makes homeowners prime targets for scammers looking to make a quick profit through shoddy work or outright fraud.
Roofing scams are one of the most reported forms of home improvement fraud in the United States. According to the Inspection Support Network’s 2022 Home Improvement Scams Trends Report, homeowners lose more than $13 million annually to these schemes, and roofing fraud tops the list.
In Louisiana, where hurricane season, hail, and heavy storms regularly damage roofs, the risk is even higher. Scammers know that storm damage creates urgency, and that pressure makes homeowners vulnerable to bad decisions.
TurnKey Roofing Contractors is a licensed and insured roofing company serving New Orleans and surrounding communities throughout Southeast Louisiana. We want every homeowner to feel confident when hiring a roofer, so we’ve put together this guide to help you spot the most common scams before they cost you thousands.
If you have a roofing concern right now, call us at 504-688-7397 for an honest, no-pressure estimate.
Storm chasers are out-of-state contractors who descend on neighborhoods right after severe weather, going door-to-door to offer rushed repairs at prices that seem too good to pass up. They collect a deposit, pressure you into signing on the spot, and often vanish before the work is done or the problems surface.
This scam is one of the oldest in the roofing playbook, and New Orleans homeowners are a prime target. After a hurricane or hailstorm, entire neighborhoods are hit at once, which makes it easy for fraudulent crews to blend in with legitimate activity.
Red flags to watch for:
Reputable roofers earn business through referrals, verified reviews, and scheduled appointments. If someone shows up uninvited, write down their information and research the company before making any commitments. Your first call after storm damage should be to your insurance provider.
A legitimate roofing contractor will not demand the majority of payment before a single shingle is nailed down. If a roofer asks for 50% or more upfront, that is a serious warning sign that you may be dealing with a ghost contractor who collects the money and stops answering calls.
A reasonable deposit for materials, typically no more than 10 to 20% of the total project cost, is standard in the industry. The remaining balance should be due after the work is completed and inspected to your satisfaction.
Always confirm payment terms in writing before work starts. If a contractor insists on a large advance payment and offers no written contract to back it up, walk away. Use payment methods that offer fraud protection, such as a credit card, rather than cash or wire transfers that are difficult to recover.
This is especially important for larger projects like full roof replacement, where the total cost can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Protecting yourself at the payment stage is one of the most reliable ways to avoid serious financial loss.
When a roofer offers to waive your deductible or promises you a new roof at zero out-of-pocket cost, what they are actually describing is insurance fraud. This scheme works by inflating the claim amount to cover costs you were supposed to pay, and it puts you, the homeowner, at legal and financial risk.
According to the Inspection Support Network’s 2022 Home Improvement Scams Trends Report, roofing projects account for approximately 15% of all home improvement scam reports filed with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, making it the most commonly cited trade in fraud complaints. Deductible manipulation ranks among the most frequently reported tactics within that category. When an investigation opens, you as the policyholder can be held partially liable even if you did not initiate the scheme.
If a roofer brings up your deductible before you have even filed a claim, that is a clear signal to look elsewhere. Stay in direct contact with your insurance adjuster and never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AoB) without fully understanding what rights you are transferring.
Some roofers use a free inspection as an opportunity to manufacture urgency rather than deliver an honest assessment. The visit lasts only a few minutes, a full replacement is declared necessary on the spot, and you walk away with no written documentation to back any of it up.
A professional roof inspection involves a thorough assessment of the roof deck, flashing, shingles or tiles, ventilation, and drainage. It should result in a detailed written report that explains what was found, where the damage is located, and what the recommended course of action is.
Watch for these warning signs during an inspection:
If anything feels off, request a second opinion from a different licensed contractor before committing to any repairs. For documented storm damage, your insurance company can send an adjuster to verify the findings independently.
In a bait-and-switch, a contractor quotes the job using quality materials and then swaps them out for cheaper products on installation day without telling you. The roof may look fine at first, but substandard materials fail sooner, void manufacturer warranties, and leave you paying for the same repairs again far ahead of schedule.
This scam is harder to detect than others because the damage is not immediately visible. Homeowners who don’t know what to look for may not realize the switch happened until leaks or shingle failures appear months later.
Always ask for material specifications in writing before work begins. Request the manufacturer names and product model numbers for all materials being used, then confirm they match what is delivered on installation day.
Certified contractors who partner with leading manufacturers, such as GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed, are held to installation standards that protect that warranty. Unlicensed or unverified contractors have no such accountability.
For any roof repair or replacement, always work with a contractor who is licensed in Louisiana and willing to put every material commitment in writing. A valid license means the contractor is accountable to a state board, which gives you a clear path to recourse if something goes wrong.
Knowing what roofing scams look like is the first step in protecting your home and your budget. The most trustworthy roofers are licensed, insured, and transparent about costs. They earn your confidence through their track record, not their sales pitch.
TurnKey Roofing Contractors serves New Orleans and communities across Southeast Louisiana with honest, licensed roofing services backed by Residential License #890459 and Commercial License #3667.
Ready to get started with a contractor who does things right? Contact our team today for your free estimate.
You can verify a contractor’s license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at lslbc.gov. Always ask for the license number before signing any contract and confirm it is active and matches the company’s contact information.
Industry practice puts a fair deposit between 10 and 20% of the total project cost, enough to cover initial materials. Any request significantly above that range, especially demands for half or full payment before work starts, should be treated as a warning sign.
A professional roof inspection should include an examination of the shingles or tiles, flashing, gutters, roof deck, vents, soffits, and fascia boards. It should result in a written report with photos documenting any damage and a clear explanation of recommended repairs.
Yes, in Louisiana and most other states, waiving a homeowner’s insurance deductible is considered insurance fraud. Contractors who offer to cover your deductible or inflate a claim to absorb it may expose you to legal liability, policy cancellation, or claim denial.
Contact your homeowner’s insurance provider first. File a claim and schedule an inspection with your adjuster before hiring any contractor. Document the damage with photos. Avoid signing any contract with a door-to-door roofer before independently verifying their license, insurance, and local references.
Compare the installed materials against your written contract once the job is complete. Ask for the product packaging or manufacturer documentation on site. If there is a discrepancy, you have grounds to dispute the invoice or file a complaint with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
An Assignment of Benefits (AoB) is a document that transfers your right to insurance claim proceeds directly to a contractor. While not always fraudulent, it can be misused to inflate claims without your knowledge. Only sign an AoB if you fully understand the terms and have verified the contractor’s credentials.
