The door-to-door roofing scam playbook
Door-to-door roofing scams are not a rumour in British Columbia. They run every season, and the people working them look almost exactly like the honest roofers who will not take your money and disappear.
In January 2026, Sooke RCMP warned residents about two men going door to door, pressuring seniors to buy leftover asphalt at a discount, showing no identification and turning aggressive when questioned. That was paving, but the playbook is identical for roofing: an unsolicited knock, leftover materials, pressure to decide today, and cash only.
Roofing is one of the most common versions, because most homeowners cannot get up to see their own roof to check whether the damage is even real.
6 red flags that should stop you cold
An unsolicited knock or call from a roofer who "noticed" damage on your roof
Damage that appears only after their free inspection - some fabricate it by tearing off shingles
A leftover-materials, today-only discount that expires the moment they leave
A request for cash, especially with no written contract
Pressure to sign or decide on the spot
A quote far below everyone else - the gap is usually the corner they plan to cut
The cash-only tell
Consumer Protection BC calls a cash-only request a major red flag. Cash leaves no paper trail, no proof of payment, and no warranty to enforce. Cash alone is not proof of fraud, but cash plus no written contract plus a stranger you cannot verify is the combination that costs people thousands.
Already signed? Your rights in BC
If a roofer came to your door and you signed something, BC law is on your side more than most people realise. A door-to-door deal is a direct sales contract under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, and it comes with a built-in escape hatch.
- 1Ten days to cancel, for any reasonNo fault and no penalty. The clock starts when you receive your copy of the contract. You can change your mind for any reason at all.
- 2Up to one full year to cancelIf the company never gave you a copy of the contract, left required information off it, or did not start the work within thirty days of the agreed date, you may have a full year to cancel.
Use this at the door
If a door-to-door roofer is pressuring you, you have two safe moves. Sign nothing, or sign and still walk away within ten days. Real roofing work does not become an emergency in an afternoon.
The scam moved online, too
Not every scam knocks on your door. Some build a polished website that brags about forty years of experience and five hundred reviews, while the real Google profile has two. Some post photos of roofs they never touched.
Two checks take about two minutes. Open the real Google Business profile for the company and count the actual reviews, instead of trusting the number printed on the website. Then reverse image search a few of their project photos to see whether they belong to someone else.
How to not get caught
- 1Get everything in writing before any money movesScope, price, materials, and timeline on a contract you have actually read.
- 2Ask for a WorkSafeBC clearance letterIt confirms the roofer is registered and in good standing, and it protects you if a worker is injured on your property.
- 3Ask for proof of liability insuranceConfirm the policy is current and covers damage to your home during the job.
- 4Never hand cash to someone you cannot verifyPay in a traceable way, and get a receipt and an invoice.
- 5Check the real Google profile and reverse search their photosA website number means nothing. The actual reviews and original photos tell the truth.
For the full step-by-step on vetting a roofer in BC - WorkSafeBC, insurance, business licence, and the warranty traps - read our guide on how to hire a roofer without getting burned.
Or skip the guesswork
Every check above is real work: chasing certificates, reading the fine print, and figuring out whether a stranger at your door is who they say they are. CrewFolk does that part for you.
We verify roofers across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley before they ever reach you. You describe your job once, and we match you with a single pre-checked local roofer who is the right fit. One call, not ten, and your number is never resold.
Get matched with a verified BC roofer
Describe your roof job and we send it to one pre-checked local roofer who contacts you directly. Free, no spam, no bidding wars.
Get my free matchFrequently asked questions
Can I cancel a roofing contract I signed at my door in BC?
Yes. Under BC law, a door-to-door (direct sales) contract can be cancelled within ten days for any reason, starting when you receive your copy. You may have up to a full year if the company never gave you a copy, left required details off it, or did not start the work within thirty days.
Is a cash-only roofer always a scam?
Not always, but Consumer Protection BC treats a cash-only request as a major red flag. The real warning sign is cash combined with no written contract and a roofer you cannot verify. Pay in a traceable way and keep a receipt.
A roofer knocked on my door after a storm. What should I do?
Slow down and do not sign or pay on the spot. Legitimate roofers do canvass after storms, so a knock alone is not proof of a scam. The flag is unsolicited contact plus pressure plus an inability to verify them. Take their details and check them yourself.
How do I spot a fake roofing website or fake reviews?
Open the real Google Business profile for the company and count the actual reviews instead of trusting the number on the website. Reverse image search a few of their project photos to check they are not stolen from another company.