Indiana has no statewide roofing license, and storm scammers know it

Under state law, Indiana cities cannot require a roofing-specific license, a spokesperson for Indianapolis' Department of Business and Neighborhood Services told the paper. In Indianapolis, roofers fall under the general contractor license, which asks for proof of business, insurance and workers' compensation but no evidence of roofing experience. Beech Grove, Southport and other towns run their own systems. A typical residential roof in Indiana costs $15,000 to $20,000, according to IndyStar.

After a derecho hit northwest Indiana in mid-August, salespeople going house to house in towns such as Griffith falsely told homeowners that FEMA would pay for repairs, Attorney General Todd Rokita warned. Since those storms, his office has brought six cases against contractors under the Home Improvement Contracts Act and the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, a spokesperson told IndyStar. Aaron Christy, founder of Indy Roof and Restoration, said plenty of good roofers would gladly get licensed.

Florida, Louisiana and California are among the states that do license roofers; Florida requires an open-book exam and proof of work experience, IndyStar reported. In Indiana, the main protection for now is the contracts act. Any home repair or improvement contract over $150 must be put in writing, listing the contractor's contact details, the work, approximate start and finish dates, the full price and any subcontractors, according to the attorney general's office. Owners can usually back out within three business days, and contractors may not offer to pay or rebate an insurance deductible. Complaints go to the office's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-382-5516.