8 Roofing Contractor Red Flags MA Homeowners Should Walk Away From.

The 8 Red Flags in Order of Severity

Each flag below is sufficient to walk away. Two or more = certain regret if you sign.

1. 01

   Door-knocker showing up after a storm

   Storm-chasing roofers travel from state to state following weather events. They knock on doors saying "We noticed your roof has damage from the recent storm." They are NOT local contractors. They have no MA HIC registration, no MA insurance, no local references, and will be 3 states away by the time their work fails. Always walk away from door-knockers, regardless of how convincing.

2. 02

   Pressure to sign Assignment of Benefits (AOB)

   AOB is a contract clause that assigns your insurance claim payment directly to the contractor. They tell you it's "easier" or "how all contractors work now." In reality, AOB hands your claim to them — they can inflate scope, file additional supplements without your approval, and place a lien on your home if disputes arise. NEVER sign AOB. Pro Build refuses AOB on every claim; reputable MA contractors do the same.

3. 03

   No MA HIC registration number

   Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration is required by MGL c. 142A for any home improvement work over $1,000. The 6-digit HIC number is searchable in 30 seconds at mass.gov/orgs/office-of-consumer-affairs-and-business-regulation. No HIC = no MA Guaranty Fund coverage if the contractor walks off with your deposit. Ask for the number; verify it; if they don't have one, walk away.

4. 04

   Today-only or this-week-only pricing

   'You need to sign today to lock in this price' is a manufactured-urgency manipulation. Legitimate roofing contractors hold quote pricing for 30-90 days because material prices are stable in that window. The pressure to decide on the spot is designed to bypass your due diligence. Walk away from today-only quotes; the discount is fictional.

5. 05

   Cash-only payment, no written contract

   Massachusetts law (MGL c. 142A) requires written contracts for any home improvement work over $1,000 — including specific notice language about right-to-cancel and contractor registration. Cash-only contractors avoid the paper trail that establishes legal accountability. They're also typically uninsured and unlicensed. Always require a written contract; pay by check or credit card.

6. 06

   Asks for full payment upfront

   MA law caps the deposit on home improvement contracts at 1/3 of the total contract price OR cost of special-order materials, whichever is greater. Contractors asking for 50%, 75%, or 100% upfront are in violation of state law. Standard MA practice: 1/3 deposit, 1/3 at midpoint, 1/3 on completion. Pro Build's standard payment schedule matches this.

7. 07

   Cannot provide certificate of insurance (COI)

   Reputable MA contractors carry $1M+ general liability + workers comp + auto. The certificate of insurance lists the carrier; you can call the carrier directly to verify the policy is current. Contractors who 'forgot the COI' or 'will email it later' are typically uninsured. If a roofer falls off your roof and they're uninsured, you can be personally liable.

8. 08

   No willingness to pull a building permit

   Roof replacements over 25% of roof area require a building permit in Massachusetts (per 780 CMR + most municipal bylaws). Permit fees are $80-$285 by city. Contractors who say 'we don't need a permit' or 'permits slow things down' are avoiding inspector visits that would catch installation errors. Unpermitted roofing fails resale, voids insurance coverage on related future damage, and is a Class A code violation. Always require a pulled permit on the proposal.

How to Verify Each Flag in 30 Seconds

Each red flag has a public verification path:

MA HIC registration

Search at mass.gov → Office of Consumer Affairs → HIC search.

MA CSL (when structural work involved)

Search at mass.gov → Office of Public Safety → CSL database.

Insurance certificate

Call the carrier listed on the COI directly; verify policy active.

BBB rating + complaints

bbb.org search by company name + state.

Google reviews + recency

Check that reviews are recent (last 6 months) and detailed; flag patterns of single-sentence 5-star reviews dated all within a 2-week window.