Signed a Roofing Contract at Home? Texas 3-Day Cancel

The short answer

If a roofer came to your door and you signed the contract at your home, Texas law usually gives you until midnight of the third business day after signing to cancel, without penalty (Texas Business & Commerce Code §601.051). The roofer has to give you a copy of the contract with a bold cancellation statement and two copies of a Notice of Cancellation form, and tell you about the right out loud when you sign. This home-solicitation rule covers purchases of goods or services over $25 when the roofer solicited you away from their place of business and you agreed away from it. After a storm, when door-to-door roofing pitches are common, it gives you time to think.

When the 3-day right applies

Under §601.002, the chapter applies when all of these are true:

1. The merchant or its agent personally solicited the sale somewhere other than its place of business, such as your front porch.
2. You gave your agreement or offer somewhere other than the merchant's place of business.
3. The deal is for goods or services costing more than $25.

It doesn't apply to sales made after negotiations at the merchant's fixed business location, or to insurance sales regulated by TDI, among other exceptions. If you called a roofer and signed at their office, this rule probably doesn't cover you. Read your contract for any cancellation terms it does include.

What the roofer must give you

From §601.052–.053:

• A complete copy of the contract or receipt when you sign, in the same language used in the sales pitch, showing the date and the merchant's name and address.
• A bold statement near your signature (at least 10-point type) saying you may cancel any time before midnight of the third business day.
• A Notice of Cancellation form in duplicate, easy to detach, filled in with the merchant's name, address, transaction date, and cancellation deadline.

Texas lets merchants use the FTC's door-to-door Cooling-Off Rule forms instead (§601.054). Under §601.152, the merchant must tell you about the right orally and can't misrepresent it.

How to cancel

• Sign and date one copy of the Notice of Cancellation, or write your own notice, and mail or deliver it to the address on the form before the deadline.
• Keep a copy and proof of when you sent it.
• Within 10 business days of getting your notice, the merchant must refund your payments, return anything you traded in, cancel any note you signed, and take steps to end any security interest (§601.154).
• Under §601.101, a merchant isn't entitled to compensation for work done under a contract you cancel this way. That's another reason not to let anyone start tearing off shingles on day one.

A merchant who violates the chapter can be liable for your actual damages, attorney's fees, and court costs, and a violation is a deceptive trade practice under Texas law (§§601.202, 601.204).

Storm-season checklist

• Don't sign on the spot. Get three written bids. Our contractor scam guide covers the red flags.
• Check for the bold cancellation notice and the two forms before you sign anything at your door.
• Insurance claim? TDI says a roofer can't act as your public adjuster, and on contracts of $1,000 or more involving an insurance settlement, the contract must state that you have to pay your deductible (TDI: Roofing and insurance).
• Know what the bid includes, including tax. See sales tax on a Texas roof replacement.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For contract disputes, contact the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection office or an attorney.

Bottom line

A roofing contract signed at your home after a door-to-door pitch can usually be canceled until midnight of the third business day. The roofer has to put that in writing, give you two cancellation forms, and tell you about it out loud. Use the pause to compare bids before work starts.

Planning a roof project? Request a free, no-obligation quote and get your questions answered before you sign anything.