Indiana roofing contract rules
What an Indiana roofing contract must say, how long you can back out, how much a roofer may ask up front, when a lien can follow and what a roofer may do about your insurance claim. Each rule is quoted from the statute or agency rule. Checked 2026-10-09.
Short answer: An Indiana buyer can cancel a sale made at the buyer's home by giving written notice before midnight of the third business day after the supplier gives the cancellation notice or the two sides finally agree, whichever is later (3 business days, Indiana Code 24-5-10-8(b)(1)). The federal rule adds 3 business days for sales made at your home (16 CFR 429). An Indiana homeowner whose insurer says any part of a roof claim is not covered can cancel the roofing contract before midnight of the third business day after receiving that written notice from the insurer (Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b)). A contractor in Indiana who wants a mechanic's lien must file a sworn statement with the county recorder within 90 days of doing the work or supplying the materials (Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(a)). 14 rules on this page are quoted from official statutes, agency rules or regulator pages; 6 more are marked not confirmed.
State cancel period
3 business days
Indiana Code 24-5-10-8(b)(1)
Deposit rule
not confirmed
No deposit rule confirmed
Lien filing deadline
90 days
Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(a)
Written contract
Rule quoted
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(a)
Find your last day to cancel
Only the signing date is needed for the cancel dates. Add the other dates when they happen and the rules that start from them get a calendar day too. Counting starts the day after the date you enter.
Enter the signing date to see your dates.
Days are counted the way each rule defines them: federal “business days” skip Sundays and federal holidays and count Saturdays; where a state rule defines business days as Monday to Friday we skip Saturdays and Sundays; where a rule says business days without defining them, or just says “days”, we count every calendar day and show the earliest possible date. State holidays are not subtracted, so a real deadline can fall a day or two later than shown. If the last day lands on a weekend, do not wait for it. General information from public rules, not legal advice.
Indiana against the other states
Calendar-day equivalents are used for the bars only (business days scaled by 7/5, months by 30, years by 365); the exact unit is in the tables.
Before you sign: Indiana checklist
Every line below comes from a rule on this page. Tick a line as you check it.
Indiana: written contract
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| An Indiana home improvement supplier must give you a completed contract to read before you sign it. | Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(a) Covers: Home improvement contracts on residential property of one to four units where the contract price exceeds $150 (IC 24-5-11-4 and 24-5-11-7.5); roof work is included in the definition of exterior home improvement. | |
| An Indiana home improvement contract must describe the work in reasonable detail, give approximate start and completion dates, and state the contract price. The same list also requires the names and addresses of both sides, the date the contract was submitted, a statement of contingencies that could change the completion date, and signature lines with printed names. For an insurance-paid job, the description may say the home will be restored to its pre-loss condition and the price may be stated as the amount you owe after insurance. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(a)(4), (6), (8) Covers: Home improvement contracts on residential property. | |
| An Indiana home improvement supplier must sign every term of the contract before you sign it. | Indiana Code 24-5-11-11 Covers: Home improvement contracts on residential property. |
Indiana: right to cancel
The federal rule (16 CFR §429.1(a)) gives 3 business days for a sale made at your home. Rules of Indiana below are added to it.
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| An Indiana buyer can cancel a sale made at the buyer's home by giving written notice before midnight of the third business day after the supplier gives the cancellation notice or the two sides finally agree, whichever is later. Indiana defines a business day for the home solicitation chapter as any day other than Sunday or a legal holiday; the calculator counts every day and shows the earliest possible date, so confirm the real last day with the seller in writing. |
3 business days counted from the date the rule names |
Indiana Code 24-5-10-8(b)(1) Covers: A home consumer transaction with a cash sales price of at least $25. |
| The Indiana home solicitation cancel right covers a sale you did not ask for, where the supplier contacts you somewhere other than the supplier's permanent place of business. | Indiana Code 24-5-10-4 Covers: Consumer purchases for personal, family or household purposes; contact entirely by mail or telephone and advertising to the general public are not direct contact. | |
| After you cancel an Indiana home solicitation sale, the supplier has ten business days to return what you paid, but a roofer who made an emergency repair within three days of the final agreement may charge for that work. Indiana defines a business day for the home solicitation chapter as any day other than Sunday or a legal holiday; the calculator counts every day and shows the earliest possible date, so confirm the real last day with the seller in writing. |
10 business days counted from the day the notice is given |
Indiana Code 24-5-10-12 Covers: Home solicitation sales that are also home improvement contracts. |
| An Indiana homeowner whose insurer says any part of a roof claim is not covered can cancel the roofing contract before midnight of the third business day after receiving that written notice from the insurer. The notice must be written, signed and delivered or mailed to the supplier's address shown on the cancellation form; a mailed notice is effective when it is deposited in the mail with postage paid. The chapter does not define business day. |
3 business days counted from the day the insurer denies the claim |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b) Covers: Contracts signed after June 30, 2012 that include exterior work (the statute names roof systems) and are paid at least in part from a homeowner or farm property insurance claim. |
| After you cancel because the insurer denied the claim, the Indiana roofer must return your payment, deposit and any note within ten days. If you signed in writing before the work that emergency or temporary services were necessary to prevent damage, the roofer is entitled to the reasonable value of those services (subsection (c)). |
10 days counted from the day the notice is given |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b) Covers: Contracts cancelled under the insurance-denial right. |
Indiana: Mechanic's lien
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A contractor in Indiana who wants a mechanic's lien must file a sworn statement with the county recorder within 90 days of doing the work or supplying the materials. | 90 days counted from the last day of work or delivery of materials |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(a) Covers: Mechanic's liens in general; subsection (b) sets a shorter period of sixty days for work on a Class 2 structure as defined in IC 22-12-1-5, so ask the recorder or a lawyer which period applies to a particular home. |
| After an Indiana lien is recorded, the county recorder mails one copy of the lien statement to the owner within three business days. The notice goes to the owner address given in the contractor's sworn statement. |
3 business days counted from the date the rule names |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(d) Covers: Liens recorded under the mechanic's lien chapter. |
| An Indiana lienholder must file suit to enforce the lien within one year after the lien statement was recorded, or the lien is void. | 1 year counted from the date the rule names |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-6(a)-(b) Covers: Mechanic's liens; a written, signed and recorded credit can extend the period (subsection (c)). |
Indiana: insurance claims and your roofer
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before an Indiana roofing contract that insurance will pay for is signed, the roofer must give you a statement of your right to cancel and a tear-off Notice of Cancellation form. | Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(c)(6) Covers: Contracts signed after June 30, 2012 with an insured consumer that include exterior work and are paid at least in part from an insurance policy. | |
| An Indiana roofer may not advertise, offer or promise to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible to win the job. | Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(a) Covers: Home improvement suppliers; the ban also covers discounts, allowances and gifts, prizes, credits or referral fees offered for any reason, including displaying a sign on the property. | |
| An Indiana roofer may not act as a public adjuster, so the roofer cannot negotiate or settle your insurance claim for you. | Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(d) Covers: Home improvement suppliers on residential property of one to four units. |
What we could not confirm in Indiana
- A cap on the deposit an Indiana roofer may ask for: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10, 24-5-11 and 32-28-3); the only deposit-related rule found is that the supplier must sign the contract before any down payment can be required.
- A rule that an Indiana roofer must hold your deposit in trust: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10, 24-5-11 and 32-28-3).
- Rules on assigning insurance benefits to a roofer in Indiana: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10, 24-5-11); the word assignment of benefits does not appear in them.
- A price-gouging ban after a declared emergency in Indiana: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10 and 24-5-11).
- Extra registration or licensing for roofers after a disaster in Indiana: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10 and 24-5-11); section 24-5-11-10(c)(7) only requires an out-of-state roofer to have a local presence or agent for service of legal process to sign an insurance-paid contract.
- A limit on roofing deposits after a declared emergency in Indiana: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Indiana Code 24-5-10 and 24-5-11).
Indiana contract questions
- How long can I cancel a roofing contract in Indiana?
- Indiana Code 24-5-10-8(b)(1): 3 business days, counted from the date the rule names. The federal rule gives 3 business days for sales made at your home. The median across the 25 of 27 states with a confirmed number is about 4 calendar days (business days scaled by 7/5). Indiana defines a business day for the home solicitation chapter as any day other than Sunday or a legal holiday; the calculator counts every day and shows the earliest possible date, so confirm the real last day with the seller in writing.
- Can I cancel if my Indiana insurer denies the roof claim?
- Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b): An Indiana homeowner whose insurer says any part of a roof claim is not covered can cancel the roofing contract before midnight of the third business day after receiving that written notice from the insurer. 3 business days, counted from the day the insurer denies the claim. The notice must be written, signed and delivered or mailed to the supplier's address shown on the cancellation form; a mailed notice is effective when it is deposited in the mail with postage paid. The chapter does not define business day.
- What is a mechanic's lien on a house in Indiana?
- Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(a): A contractor in Indiana who wants a mechanic's lien must file a sworn statement with the county recorder within 90 days of doing the work or supplying the materials.
- Can a roofer in Indiana handle my insurance claim for me?
- Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(d): An Indiana roofer may not act as a public adjuster, so the roofer cannot negotiate or settle your insurance claim for you.
- Can a roofer in Indiana waive my insurance deductible?
- Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(a): An Indiana roofer may not advertise, offer or promise to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible to win the job.
Why contracts get signed fast after an Indiana hailstorm
NOAA lists 9 Indiana cities in our data with 118 city-days of hail at 1 inch or more since 2014; the largest stone was 4.0 inches and the busiest month is Jun.
Indiana cities we cover
| City | Cost | Roofers |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson | Roof age | Roofers in Anderson |
| Bloomington | Roof age | Roofers in Bloomington |
| Evansville | Roof age | Roofers in Evansville |
| Fort Wayne | Roof age | Roofers in Fort Wayne |
| Kokomo | Roof age | Roofers in Kokomo |
| Lafayette | Roof age | Roofers in Lafayette |
| Muncie | Roof age | Roofers in Muncie |
| South Bend | Roof age | Roofers in South Bend |
| Terre Haute | Roof age | Roofers in Terre Haute |
Where each Indiana rule comes from
| Rule | Source | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract: no fixed number An Indiana home improvement supplier must give you a completed contract to read before you sign it. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(a) statute text Quote“The home improvement supplier shall provide a completed home improvement contract to the consumer before it is signed by the consumer.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Written contract: no fixed number An Indiana home improvement contract must describe the work in reasonable detail, give approximate start and completion dates, and state the contract price. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(a)(4), (6), (8) statute text Quote“(4) A reasonably detailed description of the proposed home improvements. ... (6) The approximate starting and completion dates of the home improvements. ... (8) The home improvement contract price.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Written contract: no fixed number An Indiana home improvement supplier must sign every term of the contract before you sign it. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-11 statute text Quote“Before the consumer signs the home improvement contract and before the consumer can be required to make any down payment, the home improvement supplier must have agreed unequivocally by written signature to all of the terms of the home improvement contract.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Right to cancel: 3 business days An Indiana buyer can cancel a sale made at the buyer's home by giving written notice before midnight of the third business day after the supplier gives the cancellation notice or the two sides finally agree, whichever is later. |
Indiana Code 24-5-10-8(b)(1) statute text Quote“It must be given before midnight of the third business day after the later of the date: (A) the supplier furnishes the consumer with the notice required by section 9 of this chapter; or (B) the consumer and the supplier finally agree to the contract” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-07-28 |
| Right to cancel: no fixed number The Indiana home solicitation cancel right covers a sale you did not ask for, where the supplier contacts you somewhere other than the supplier's permanent place of business. |
Indiana Code 24-5-10-4 statute text Quote“"home consumer transaction" means a consumer transaction that the consumer did not solicit that results from the direct contact by a supplier at a place other than the supplier's permanent place of business” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-07-28 |
| Right to cancel: 10 business days After you cancel an Indiana home solicitation sale, the supplier has ten business days to return what you paid, but a roofer who made an emergency repair within three days of the final agreement may charge for that work. |
Indiana Code 24-5-10-12 statute text Quote“the supplier shall, within ten (10) business days after the notice of cancellation is delivered, return to the consumer any payment or other consideration transferred to the supplier by the consumer. However, if the transaction constitutes a home improvement contract under IC 24-5-11 and if the home improvement has been made on an emergency basis within three (3) days after final agreement to the contract” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-07-28 |
| Right to cancel: 3 business days An Indiana homeowner whose insurer says any part of a roof claim is not covered can cancel the roofing contract before midnight of the third business day after receiving that written notice from the insurer. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b) statute text Quote“may cancel the contract before midnight on the third business day after the insured consumer has received written notice from the insurance company that any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss under the insurance policy” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Right to cancel: 10 days After you cancel because the insurer denied the claim, the Indiana roofer must return your payment, deposit and any note within ten days. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(b) statute text Quote“not later than ten (10) days after a home improvement contract is cancelled under this subsection, the home improvement supplier shall tender to the insured consumer: (1) any payment or deposit made by the insured consumer; and (2) any note or other evidence of indebtedness of the insured consumer” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Mechanic's lien: 90 days A contractor in Indiana who wants a mechanic's lien must file a sworn statement with the county recorder within 90 days of doing the work or supplying the materials. |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(a) statute text Quote“must file in duplicate a sworn statement and notice of the person's intention to hold a lien upon the property for the amount of the claim: (1) in the recorder's office of the county; and (2) not later than ninety (90) days after performing labor or furnishing materials or machinery” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-03-01 |
| Mechanic's lien: 3 business days After an Indiana lien is recorded, the county recorder mails one copy of the lien statement to the owner within three business days. |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-3(d) statute text Quote“The recorder shall: (1) mail, first class, one (1) of the duplicates of the statement and notice of intention to hold a lien to the owner named in the statement and notice not later than three (3) business days after recordation” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-03-01 |
| Mechanic's lien: 1 year An Indiana lienholder must file suit to enforce the lien within one year after the lien statement was recorded, or the lien is void. |
Indiana Code 32-28-3-6(a)-(b) statute text Quote“The complaint must be filed not later than one (1) year after: (1) the date the statement and notice of intention to hold a lien was recorded under section 3 of this chapter ... if a lien is not enforced within the time set forth in subsection (a), the lien is void.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2012-03-01 |
| Insurance claims and your roofer: no fixed number Before an Indiana roofing contract that insurance will pay for is signed, the roofer must give you a statement of your right to cancel and a tear-off Notice of Cancellation form. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10(c)(6) statute text Quote“the home improvement supplier must inform the insured consumer of the insured consumer's rights under section 10.5(b) of this chapter by doing the following: (A) Furnishing to the insured consumer the following statement: "You may cancel this contract at any time before midnight on the third business day after you have received written notification from your insurance company that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss under the insurance policy.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Insurance claims and your roofer: no fixed number An Indiana roofer may not advertise, offer or promise to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible to win the job. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(a) statute text Quote“A home improvement supplier shall not advertise, offer, or promise to pay or rebate any part of an insurance deductible to induce a person to enter into a home improvement contract” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
| Insurance claims and your roofer: no fixed number An Indiana roofer may not act as a public adjuster, so the roofer cannot negotiate or settle your insurance claim for you. |
Indiana Code 24-5-11-10.5(d) statute text Quote“A home improvement supplier shall not act as a public adjuster (as defined in IC 27-1-27-1).” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2013-08-16 |
Nearby states
Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio or all states.
Related: Indiana roofers, insurer roof-age rules.