Peters said Baldwin’s crew removed the roof, gutters and chimney, then left the debris behind and did not return. A small-claims judge ordered Baldwin to pay her more than $8,000 in restitution in May 2021. Baldwin filed for bankruptcy months later, and Peters said she has recovered only a fraction of her loss.

Her experience reflects a broader risk for Indiana homeowners: the state does not require roofers to hold a statewide license. Local rules vary, and roofing work may fall under general contracting requirements that do not establish a contractor’s roofing experience or expertise.

Indiana is one of 12 states without a statewide roofing license. Roofing businesses commonly charge $15,000 to $20,000 for a typical residential roof, making a bad hiring decision costly even before storm damage or incomplete work is considered.

The risks can rise after severe weather, when homeowners urgently need repairs and contractors from outside the area may go door to door offering quick, low-cost work. After a powerful windstorm struck northwest Indiana in August, Attorney General Todd Rokita warned residents to be wary of salespeople claiming that FEMA would cover all costs. He said homeowners should be skeptical of broad promises about who will pay.

Indiana’s Home Improvement Contracts Act requires written contracts for residential work costing more than $150 to include detailed information. But protections on paper may not prevent a contractor from taking payment and leaving a job unfinished.

In Indianapolis, roofing falls under general contracting. The city requires general contractors to provide an application, proof of business, insurance documentation and workers’ compensation information, but those requirements do not demonstrate roofing-specific training. The city maintains an online contractor database and recommends using licensed, listed or registered contractors for work requiring a permit. State law, however, prevents municipalities from requiring a roofing license, city officials said.

Some roofing business owners say a statewide licensing system could help residents distinguish qualified contractors from opportunists. Aaron Christy, founder of Indianapolis-based Indy Roof and Restoration, said the lack of training or certification requirements can allow people with little experience to enter the business when storms create a surge in demand. He said he generally prefers less regulation but believes licensing could benefit homeowners and legitimate businesses alike.

Severe weather has made the issue more pressing. The National Weather Service recorded 79 tornadoes in Indiana in 2026, the most since recordkeeping began in 1950. A damaging August derecho also struck northwest Indiana after earlier storms that summer. A derecho is a widespread, destructive windstorm.

Purdue weather and climate scientist Dan Chavas cautioned that the links between a warming climate and specific kinds of severe weather are complex. He said recent studies suggest derechos may become more frequent in a warmer world, and noted that such storms have become more common in Indiana over recent decades.

Other states offer models for oversight. Florida requires roofing contractors to pass an open-book exam and document relevant experience through work, education, military service or a combination. Such rules cannot eliminate fraud, but roofers who support licensing say a consistent statewide standard could provide homeowners with a clearer baseline when choosing a contractor.