SAVAGE, Minn. — April 17, 2026 — With Minnesota's hail season beginning in the coming weeks, licensed exterior contractor Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows is warning Twin Cities homeowners to watch for out-of-state "storm-chaser" contractors who typically flood the metro area after major hail events. The company, based in Savage and serving the south metro for more than 20 years, says the pattern repeats every year — and every year, homeowners get stuck with unfinished work, voided warranties, and denied insurance claims.

"After every big storm, we get calls from people who signed with a crew that knocked on their door the next day," said Quy Bui, owner of Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows. "Six months later, those companies are gone. The homeowner is left with a roof that's failing, a warranty that doesn't exist, and no way to find the people who installed it."

The Pattern

Storm-chasing contractors typically follow severe weather events across state lines, operate from temporary local offices or vehicles, and target neighborhoods with visible hail or wind damage. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau have both issued guidance over multiple years warning homeowners about post-storm contracting fraud.

Common red flags identified by consumer-protection agencies include:

• No verifiable Minnesota contractor license. Residential builders in Minnesota are required to hold a state license. Unlicensed contractors cannot legally pull permits in most jurisdictions.

• Pressure to sign immediately. Legitimate contractors provide written estimates and encourage homeowner review before signing.

• Large up-front deposit requests. Reputable roofers typically collect payment on milestones, not at contract signing.

• "Free roof" promises tied to insurance claims. Insurance fraud is a state and federal crime; contractors who pitch it put the homeowner at legal risk, not just the contractor.

• No physical Minnesota business address. A verifiable local office is a baseline indicator of long-term accountability.

What Homeowners Should Do Before Signing

Exteriors Plus recommends three verification steps before any homeowner signs a post-storm roofing contract:

1. Request the contractor's Minnesota residential builder license number and verify it through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's public license database.

2. Confirm the contractor carries current general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

3. Ask for three local references from completed work within the past year, and actually call them.

"A contractor who plans to still be here next winter doesn't mind those questions," Bui said. "The ones who don't want to answer them are the ones you need to worry about."

About Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows

Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows is a locally owned exterior contractor based in Savage, Minnesota, serving homeowners across the Twin Cities south metro for more than 20 years. The company specializes in roofing, siding, windows, decks, gutters, and attic ventilation under Minnesota residential builder license BC637312, and maintains a 4.9-star Google rating. Exteriors Plus has been recognized as one of Minnesota's Best in both 2023 and 2024. To learn more about the Exteriors Plus storm damage response team or to request a free inspection, homeowners can visit exteriorsplusmn.com.

Media Contact:

Quy Bui

Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows

12481 Rhode Island Ave

Savage, MN 55378

Phone: (952) 345-3408

Email: general@exteriorsplusmn.com

Contact Information:

Exteriors Plus Roofing, Siding & Windows

12481 Rhode Island Ave
Savage, MN 55378
United States

Quy Bui
(952) 345-3408
https://exteriorsplusmn.com