Storm Chasers Are Knocking in Central Ohio. Here's How I Tell Them Apart From Real Roofers.
I'm writing this from my truck in New Albany. It's the morning after another wind event, and I've already driven past three out-of-state trucks going door-to-door in a single subdivision. If that's happened on your street, this post is for you.
Storm chasers aren't a myth. They're a business model. Crews follow weather from Texas to Ohio to Michigan, hit a neighborhood hard for two weeks, sign as many contracts as they can, subcontract the work to whoever's available, and leave. When something goes wrong two winters later, the number on the contract goes to voicemail.
How to spot one at your door
- They knocked without you calling. Real local roofers get most work from referrals and repeat clients.
- The truck has out-of-state plates or a magnetic sign with no permanent address.
- They offer a 'free inspection' but want you to sign an 'authorization' or 'assignment of benefits' form on the spot.
- They ask for your insurance carrier and claim number before they've written a scope of work.
- They promise to 'waive your deductible' — this is illegal insurance fraud in Ohio.
- They can't name a single local supplier (ABC Supply Columbus, SRS, Beacon) or manufacturer rep.
Ohio law (R.C. 3901.321) makes it illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, or rebate your insurance deductible. If someone offers, walk away — they're either committing fraud or planning to cut corners to make up the difference.
What I do differently — and what any honest local roofer should
When I inspect a roof after a storm, I'm not signing you up for anything. I climb up, take photos, mark hail hits with chalk, check the flashings and vents, and give you a plain-English report. If damage is claimable, I'll walk you through filing it — but I won't touch your insurance paperwork until you've decided on your own that you want to move forward.
"The right roof, installed the right way, should outlast the loan on your house. That doesn't happen when someone's rushing to hit a quota before they move to the next state."
— Me, most days on a roof
Questions to ask before you sign anything
It should be a physical address you can drive to, not a PO box, not a UPS Store, and not an address in another state. Elite is based at 5195 Hampsted Village Way in New Albany. Ask to see any local contractor's.
In Ohio, workers' comp is required for any employee. Ask for the certificate directly from the insurer, not a photocopy the salesperson has on their phone.
GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed all list certified contractors on their websites. You can verify in about 30 seconds.
Ask by name. Storm chasers almost always sub the actual install to whoever's cheap and available that week.
Get the answer in writing, on company letterhead, with a phone number that a human answers.
You're allowed to get a second opinion
If a stranger knocked on your door and you already signed something, Ohio's Home Solicitation Sales Act gives you a 3-business-day right to cancel in writing. Use it. Then call two local companies for real estimates. We do them for free, and if we're not the right fit we'll tell you.
Text a photo of your roof to (614) 304-1726 and I'll tell you if I think it's worth a full inspection. No pressure, no upsell.
Alan is the owner of Elite Home Renovations, a family-owned roofing and remodeling company serving Columbus, Newark, Johnstown, and Pataskala since 2024. He's on the roof with the crew almost every day.
Get your free estimate
from Elite today.
Tell us about your project and we'll come out to give you an honest, no-pressure quote — usually within 48 hours.