After a Cheyenne hailstorm, the safest choice is a licensed, insured, local roofer — not an out-of-town “storm chaser” who knocks on doors, pressures you to sign, and offers to “cover your deductible.” In Wyoming, paying or rebating a homeowner’s insurance deductible is actually illegal for storm-repair solicitors (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702), and because Wyoming has no statewide roofing license, you must verify a contractor’s credentials with the local jurisdiction.
Quick answer
Choose a licensed, insured, local roofer over a door-knocking storm chaser. Red flags: shows up uninvited after a storm, pressures you to sign now, wants large cash payment up front, or offers to “cover your deductible” — which is illegal in Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702). Verify a Cheyenne roofer’s City license and insurance, get a written line-item contract, and never pay in full up front.
| Factor | Storm chaser | Local licensed roofer (e.g., Pete’s Builders) |
|---|---|---|
| Where they’re based | Out of town; follows storms | Local address in Cheyenne / SE Wyoming |
| Licensing | Often not licensed in Cheyenne | City of Cheyenne licensed; verifiable |
| Deductible | May illegally offer to “cover” it | Never — it’s against Wyoming law |
| Payment | Large cash up front | Written contract, staged payments |
| After the job | Leaves the area | Available for warranty & callbacks |
| Local knowledge | Generic | Knows Cheyenne code, wind & hail |
What is a storm chaser?
A “storm chaser” is a transient contractor who travels to areas hit by hail or wind and canvasses neighborhoods for quick roofing work, often to capture homeowners’ insurance money. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) warns that these operators frequently arrive unsolicited right after a storm, claim insurance-company affiliation, offer a “free” inspection, and demand cash or a large upfront payment — then may do poor work or none at all before leaving town.
Is it illegal to waive my deductible in Wyoming?
Yes — for storm-damage repair solicitations. Wyoming Statute § 40-12-702 states that a contractor soliciting exterior storm-damage repair services shall not “pay, advertise or promise to pay or rebate all or any portion of any insurance deductible.” The same statute requires the contractor to disclose their business name, whether they carry general liability insurance, and any required licensure — and to put their license or registration number on all contracts, bids, and advertisements. So the “we’ll eat your deductible” pitch isn’t just risky; it’s prohibited by Wyoming law.
Does Wyoming require a roofing license?
Not at the state level. Wyoming has no statewide roofing or general-contractor license; licensing is set by each city or county. The City of Cheyenne requires contractors to be licensed through its Contractor Licensing Board, with a trade-specific “Class C” license that expressly includes general roofing, and a certificate of insurance on file before a license is issued. Because there’s no statewide license to search, homeowners should verify credentials with the City (307-637-6332) rather than assuming a state license exists.
How to vet a roofing contractor in Cheyenne (checklist)
- Confirm a current City of Cheyenne contractor license and ask for the number
- Ask for a certificate of insurance (general liability and workers’ comp)
- Verify a real local address and phone — not just a magnet on a truck
- Get 3–4 written, line-item bids with materials and prices
- Check reviews and references, and confirm they’ll handle warranty callbacks
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces, and never let anyone offer to “cover” your deductible
Pete’s Builders is a Cheyenne-based, licensed and insured roofer serving the area since 2015. See our Cheyenne roofing contractor page and top residential roofing contractors page.
How to pay a roofer safely
Don’t pay in full up front. The BBB recommends staged payments (commonly about a third deposit, a third at the midpoint, and a third at completion), paying the company rather than an individual, and using a check or credit card instead of cash. FEMA’s post-disaster guidance adds: use a local contractor, get a written contract covering labor, materials, cleanup, and start/finish dates, and never sign a contract with blank spaces.
Already have damage? Start with a free, documented roof assessment, and read what to do after hail damage and how to file your insurance claim. This post is part of our complete Cheyenne hail & storm damage guide.
Written & reviewed by the Pete’s Builders team
Pete’s Builders is a locally owned Cheyenne, Wyoming roofing contractor serving homeowners and businesses since 2015. Our crews inspect, document, and repair hail- and wind-damaged roofs across Cheyenne, Laramie, Burns, and Scottsbluff through every storm season, and we help homeowners document damage for their insurance claims. We are licensed & insured, A+ rated by the BBB, an NRCA member, and OSHA-30 certified.
📍 1816 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001 · 📞 (307) 514-5489
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Coverage, deadlines, and deductibles vary by policy — always read your own policy and, when in doubt, contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal for a roofer to pay or waive my insurance deductible in Wyoming?
No. Wyoming law (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702) prohibits contractors soliciting exterior storm-damage repairs from paying, advertising, promising to pay, or rebating any portion of an insurance deductible. A “we’ll cover your deductible” pitch is a red flag and is against Wyoming law.
Does Wyoming require roofers to be licensed?
There is no statewide Wyoming roofing or general-contractor license — licensing is handled locally. In the City of Cheyenne, roofing contractors must be licensed through the City’s Contractor Licensing Board (a trade-specific “Class C” license covers general roofing). Because there is no state license to look up, verify a roofer’s credentials with the local jurisdiction.
How can I check if a Cheyenne roofer is licensed and insured?
Ask for the contractor’s City of Cheyenne license number and a current certificate of insurance, then verify with the City’s Contractor Licensing / Building Permitting & Licensing office (307-637-6332). Wyoming law also requires storm-damage repair solicitors to disclose their business name, whether they carry liability insurance, and their license/registration number on contracts, bids, and advertisements.
Should I pay a roofer in full up front?
No. The BBB advises never paying in full before work is done — a common approach is roughly a third as a deposit, a third at the halfway point, and a third on completion. Pay the company (not an individual), by check or card rather than cash, and get a written, detailed contract first.
Why hire a local roofer instead of a storm chaser?
A local, licensed contractor is accountable, is reachable for warranty and callback work, is licensed in your jurisdiction, and knows Cheyenne’s code and weather. Storm chasers often leave the area once checks clear, which can void practical warranty support.
Sources & further reading
- Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702 — Storm damage repair solicitations
- City of Cheyenne — Building Permitting & Licensing
- NICB — Contractor fraud warning
- BBB — Storm chaser warnings after severe storms
- FEMA — Beware of contractor fraud: go local, do your research
- Wyoming roofing licensing overview (local, not statewide)