Hurricane Isaias Contractor Scams: 7 Red Flags Every Crestview Homeowner Should Know
written by Tanya Rivera October 19, 2026
If Hurricane Isaias damaged your home, someone has probably already knocked on your door, left a flyer, or texted you offering to fix it. Most people think the worst that can happen is overpaying. It can be a lot worse than that.
In Florida, doing contracting work without a license during a declared state of emergency is a felony. And a contractor who takes more than 10% of your money up front is on a legal clock. Below are the seven red flags I want every homeowner in Crestview and Okaloosa County to know, how to check anyone from your phone in about five minutes, and one roof-contract right almost nobody knows they have.
Prefer to read? Everything from the video is below.
Why scams spike after a storm like Isaias
Isaias made landfall near Destin on October 9 as a Category 2 hurricane, and Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties. That declaration matters for you, because it triggers several of the protections in this post.
I grew up here, and after every storm I see the best of this community: neighbors clearing driveways, checking on older folks, sharing generators. I also see people who come in to take advantage. Most contractors knocking on doors right now are honest, hardworking people, including crews who traveled here because the need is real. The difference is simple. A good contractor gives you time to check them out. A bad one needs you to decide today.
Red flag #1: The unsolicited knock, call, or text
A truck in your neighborhood isn't a scam by itself. Listen to what they say. Be cautious if they:
Offer a free roof inspection you didn't ask for
Say you need urgent repairs when you haven't seen damage
Claim your neighbors already signed with them
Pressure you to sign today because they're "moving on"
Don't let anyone on your roof until you know who they are. Damage can be created as easily as it can be found.
Watch your phone, too. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has warned about texts after Isaias offering tree service "in coordination with your insurance company." Don't reply to them.
Red flag #2: They show you an EIN or LLC instead of a license
An EIN is a tax number from the IRS. Anyone can get one. An LLC isn't a license either. You can register a business in Florida without being licensed to do any construction work.
Check the license at MyFloridaLicense.com, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Search by name, company, or license number, then confirm three things:
The license is active
The license type matches the job (a roofing license for a roof)
The name matches the person or company you're hiring
If they say the job doesn't need a license, call the building department and ask. Some small jobs don't need a state license, but you should still check insurance and history.
Red flag #3: "We're registered" isn't the same as legitimate
Look the business up on Sunbiz.org, Florida's Division of Corporations. You'll see the legal name, whether it's active, who runs it, and when it was formed.
Sunbiz tells you the business exists. DBPR tells you whether they're allowed to do the work. Check both. If the company was formed last week in another state with no history of this work, that isn't automatically a scam, but you want to know it before you hand over a deposit.
Red flag #4: Promises about your insurance
No contractor can promise "your insurance will cover everything." Coverage depends on your policy, the cause of damage, your deductible, and your insurer's decision.
Under Florida law, a contractor can't interpret your policy or adjust your claim unless they also hold a public adjuster license. They also can't offer cash, gift cards, or a waived deductible in exchange for an inspection or a claim. If someone offers to "take care of your deductible," walk away. Waiving a deductible can be insurance fraud, and that can come back on you.
For most policies written since January 1, 2023, Florida no longer allows you to sign your insurance benefits over to a contractor. If someone hands you paperwork to take over your claim, call your insurance company first.
Before any repairs, if it's safe, photograph and video all the damage. Keep every receipt for emergency work like tarps or tree removal, and write down who you talked to and when.
Red flag #5: Pressure on price, estimates, and deposits
Prices rise after a storm. That's real. It still doesn't mean you take the first number you hear.
Get at least three written estimates and make sure they quote the same scope
Ask for a detailed, itemized estimate on any insurance job, not a single number
Avoid cash and pay in a way that leaves a record
Never pay for the whole job before work starts
Get the work, materials, price, payment schedule, and completion date in writing
Here's the deposit rule most people don't know. On a residential job, if a contractor takes more than 10% up front, they must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued, unless you agreed otherwise in writing. If they don't, and they ignore a written demand you send by certified mail, it can become a crime, and a felony at $1,000 or more.
If someone refuses to put it in writing, that's your answer.
Red flag #6: No permit, or a permit that never gets closed
As a Realtor, this is the one I see come back to bite people years later. A full roof replacement needs a permit: from the City of Crestview building department inside city limits, or Okaloosa County outside them. The permit means an inspector comes out, the roof passes a final inspection, and the permit gets closed.
Before work starts, ask for the permit number
Before the final payment, get proof the permit passed final inspection and closed
You can call the building department with your address or check online. The City of Crestview uses My Government Online.
Why it matters: many insurers want your roof's age, and a closed permit is your proof. And when you sell, an open or missing roof permit can hold up your closing. I've watched it happen. A good roofer pulls and closes the permit without being asked.
Red flag #7: The out-of-town crew with no local accountability
Legitimate companies come from all over to help after a big storm. Ask a few more questions anyway:
Are you licensed to do this work in Florida?
Who is responsible if something goes wrong?
Who handles warranty claims after you leave?
Who do I call six months from now if the roof leaks?
A warranty doesn't help much if nobody is around to honor it.
Already signed or already paid? Do this now
Check them tonight on DBPR and Sunbiz.
Took more than 10% and no permit in 30 days? Send a written demand by certified mail and keep a copy.
Getting a new roof? Call the building department and confirm a permit was pulled for your address.
Report price gouging or a scam to the Florida Attorney General: 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or MyFloridaLegal.com.
Real money involved? Talk to an attorney.
I'm a Realtor, not a lawyer, and this post isn't legal advice. But you deserve to know your options.
The roof right almost nobody knows: 10 days to cancel
If you sign a contract to repair or replace your roof within 180 days after a hurricane, and your home is in an area under a Governor-declared state of emergency, Florida law lets you cancel that roof contract within 10 days, with no penalty.
The 10 days start when you sign or when work officially starts, whichever comes first
The contract is supposed to state this right in bold print. If it doesn't, that tells you something
To cancel, send written notice to the address on the contract by certified mail, return receipt requested
If you felt pressured into signing on your front porch this week, you have a window. Use it to check them out.
Get my free one-page guide and trusted partner list
I put everything above on a one-page guide you can keep on your fridge, along with a list of local partners I trust: roofers, tree services, contractors, inspectors, and insurance professionals.
Every partner on that list has been verified for the work they do: a license where their trade requires one, insurance, and a track record I've seen firsthand. Their license numbers are on the page so you can check them yourself, and I'd want you to. I don't get paid for referrals, and nobody pays to be on the list. I can't guarantee anyone's work, but I can point you to people with a track record so you're not starting with a stranger at your door.
You don't have to be buying or selling to reach out. This is my hometown, and I want us to recover the right way. Call or text me at (850) 376-0108 or email tanya@thepropertygroup850.com.
If this helped, share it with someone dealing with storm damage, especially an older neighbor or family member who might get that knock on the door. Before you sign anything or hand over any money, check them out.
FAQ
Is it a crime to do contracting work without a license in Florida after a hurricane? Yes. Doing contracting work without a license during a state of emergency declared by the Governor is a third-degree felony in Florida.
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Florida? Search the contractor's name, company, or license number at MyFloridaLicense.com (DBPR). Confirm the license is active, matches the type of work, and matches the name of the person or company you're hiring.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after a hurricane in Florida? Yes. If you sign a roof repair or replacement contract within 180 days after a hurricane in a state-of-emergency area, you can cancel within 10 days of signing or the start of work, whichever comes first. Send written notice by certified mail with return receipt.
How much deposit can a Florida contractor take? There's no fixed cap, but if a contractor takes more than 10% up front on a residential job, they must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued, unless you agreed otherwise in writing.
Can a contractor waive my insurance deductible? No. Florida contractors can't offer to pay or waive your deductible, and doing so can be insurance fraud.
Does a roof replacement in Crestview need a permit? Yes. A full roof replacement needs a permit from the City of Crestview inside city limits or Okaloosa County outside them. Get the permit number before work starts and proof it closed before the final payment.
Where do I report a contractor scam or price gouging in Florida? Call the Florida Attorney General at 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or file online at MyFloridaLegal.com.
Tanya Rivera is a REALTOR® and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) with The Property Group 850, Inc. in Crestview, Florida. A lifelong Crestview native, she has sold 300+ homes since 2015 across Okaloosa and Walton Counties. FL License #3315357. Call or text (850) 376-0108.
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