Tulsa’s Most Common Roofing Scams (And How to Avoid Them After the Next Storm)
When the storm clouds clear in Tulsa, the damage isn’t always over.
Because that’s when the storm chasers show up.
That’s when the high-pressure sales tactics begin.
That’s when homeowners — stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure — become targets.
At Tier-One Roofing, we’ve spent years helping Tulsa homeowners fix not only their storm-damaged roofs, but the mistakes made when they trusted the wrong company to begin with.
We’ve replaced roofs that were only three years old but failing.
We’ve seen “repairs” that caused more leaks than the storm itself.
And we’ve walked into homes where contractors vanished mid-project, leaving families with open claims, open roofs, and no answers.
Let’s walk through the most common roofing scams in Tulsa after a storm, how to recognize them before it’s too late, and how Tier-One Roofing protects homeowners across Green Country with real integrity and expert craftsmanship.
Why Roofing Scams Thrive in Tulsa
It’s no secret that Oklahoma is one of the most storm-prone states in the country.
Tulsa gets hit with hail, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and intense spring/fall temperature swings every year — and that means a consistent flow of roofing claims.
Where there’s money flowing, there’s fraud waiting.
Scammers and fly-by-night roofing companies know when the hail falls, the checks follow. So they flood cities like Tulsa the moment a storm hits — renting local addresses, slapping magnetic signs on trucks, and knocking on doors.
Most homeowners are focused on damage, repairs, and dealing with their insurance. And that’s when they’re most vulnerable to:
High-pressure sales
Deceptive pricing
Insurance fraud schemes
Poor workmanship
Vanishing contractors
Tier-One Roofing was built to stand in direct contrast to that.
We don’t chase storms. We protect people.
Scam #1: The Knock-on-Your-Door “Free Roof” Sales Pitch
You’re cleaning up the yard after a storm. Someone in a polo shirt knocks on your door and says:
“We’re doing roofs in your neighborhood. I noticed hail damage on your home. We can probably get you a free roof.”
They might even say they’ve already worked with your insurance company. Or your neighbors. Or “just need a signature” to start.
This is how hundreds of roofing scams start in Tulsa — especially in south Tulsa, Broken Arrow, and east Jenks.
What’s really happening:
They haven’t actually inspected your roof
They’re trying to get you to sign a contingency contract, locking you into using them before you’ve even filed a claim
They may inflate the scope of damage later to manipulate your insurance company
Some aren’t even licensed in Oklahoma
Red flags:
They approach you uninvited
They claim to have “seen” damage from the street
They want you to sign immediately
Their contract has no pricing or scope of work
What Tier-One Roofing does differently:
We never knock on doors after a storm.
We don’t pressure.
We inspect thoroughly, document damage with photos and code references, and give you time to review and decide.
Because trust should never start with a signature — it starts with honesty.
Scam #2: Waiving or “Covering” Your Insurance Deductible
This one’s common, tempting, and 100% illegal in Oklahoma.
Some roofers will tell you:
“Don’t worry about your deductible. We’ll handle it.”
“We’ll inflate the invoice to cover it.”
“You’ll pay nothing out of pocket.”
Sounds great, right?
Until you realize that waiving a deductible is insurance fraud.
And if your insurer finds out, you could face:
Denied claims
Canceled coverage
Potential legal action
Even worse — these roofers often inflate pricing, cut corners, or use lower-quality materials to make up the difference, leaving you with a roof that won’t last.
What Tier-One Roofing does differently:
We never offer to waive your deductible.
Instead, we help you understand what your policy actually covers, walk you through legal options for financing or phasing work, and advocate for full, legal coverage — no tricks, no gimmicks.
Not sure if a roofer’s offer sounds too good to be legal?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a free review.
We’ll explain your rights, your responsibilities, and the smartest next step — no pressure, no sales pitch.
Scam #3: The “Storm Damage” That Isn’t There
We’ve seen contractors create damage during inspections — or falsely claim damage that doesn’t exist — just to lock in a job.
Some even go as far as lifting shingles to create the appearance of wind damage, or bruising shingles with tools to simulate hail impact.
They take photos. They send them to your insurance company. And they start a claim for a roof you didn’t need — putting you on the hook for a deductible, paperwork, and a potentially denied claim if the fraud is caught.
How to spot this scam:
The “damage photos” don’t match the angle of your roof
You weren’t shown anything in person
The contractor refuses to let your insurance adjuster re-inspect
You get pushback when asking for a second opinion
What Tier-One Roofing does differently:
We photograph every inch of your roof and show you the damage in person.
We explain what it means, what code says, what insurance requires — and we welcome adjusters on-site to confirm it.
Because our business isn’t built on exaggeration — it’s built on evidence.
Scam #4: The Vanishing Roofer
This one stings — because it hits when you’re most vulnerable.
A contractor gets your insurance money (or a large deposit) and either:
Stops answering calls
Leaves the work unfinished
Performs substandard repairs and disappears
Files bankruptcy, changes names, and starts over
Tulsa has seen dozens of these contractors rotate in and out of the area — especially after the 2023 and 2024 hail seasons.
They often don’t carry local insurance.
They don’t register with the state.
And they don’t stand behind their warranties.
What Tier-One Roofing does differently:
We’ve been serving Tulsa for years. We’re locally owned, veteran-led, fully licensed, fully insured, and we don’t subcontract critical installs.
We back our work with real warranties and an office you can walk into.
If there’s ever a problem, we’re here. Period.
Scam #5: No Written Estimate, Just a "Verbal Agreement"
This is a scam of omission.
You’re told:
“We’ll take care of everything. You won’t need to worry about the details.”
But then:
You get hit with unexpected costs mid-project
The crew shows up with the wrong materials
Warranty details are missing
You have no documentation if something fails
Verbal agreements protect the contractor — not you.
What Tier-One Roofing does differently:
We give you a written, line-by-line estimate that covers:
Materials used (brand and grade)
Scope of work
Timeline
Warranty terms
Cleanup plan
Payment expectations
Because transparency isn’t a luxury — it’s the foundation of trust.
Worried someone is taking advantage of your storm claim?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a second opinion.
We’ll review contracts, walk your roof, and tell you the truth — even if it means you don’t need us.
How to Protect Yourself After a Tulsa Storm
If you’ve just been through a hailstorm or tornado event, here’s how to stay protected:
Don’t sign anything at the door.
Ask for licenses and proof of insurance.
Get everything in writing.
Ask for references — local ones.
Request photos and documentation of all damage.
Understand your deductible — and never waive it.
Don’t pay more than 50% upfront.
Watch for red flags: high pressure, vague answers, big promises.
And if you’re unsure?
Get a second opinion from someone who’s not trying to scare you into a decision.
Why Tulsa Homeowners Trust Tier-One Roofing
We’re not storm chasers. We live here, work here, and serve families here — not just until the claims dry up.
We tell the truth. If you don’t need a roof, we’ll say so. If you do, we’ll prove it.
We don’t cut corners. We follow code, use premium materials, and install every roof like it’s protecting our own home.
We help with insurance — the right way.
We stand behind our work. Always.
We built Tier-One Roofing to be the answer to an industry filled with uncertainty.
Not just a roofing company — a roofing partner.
Think you’ve been targeted by a scam or aren’t sure who to trust?
Call Tier-One Roofing today.
We’ll walk your roof, walk you through the process, and give you clarity — before you sign anything.