If you’re searching canvasser jobs in Chicago, you’re probably seeing ads promising “$100K+” and “uncapped bonuses.” Can you make real money door knocking storm damage? Yes—but only if you understand how canvasser pay actually works, what a “qualified lead” means, and what your day-to-day will look like in Chicagoland.
This guide breaks down typical pay, common bonus structures, and what to expect in 2026.
What a storm-damage canvasser does (roofing/restoration)
In storm restoration, a canvasser is usually lead-gen, not the closer.
Typical responsibilities:
- Knock targeted neighborhoods after hail/wind events
- Identify homeowners who want a free inspection
- Set an appointment (and confirm it)
- Log results in a CRM/app (doors knocked, contacts, sets, sits)
- Pass the baton to an inspector/closer who runs the appointment and closes the deal
The best canvassers aren’t “pushy.” They’re clear, calm, and organized—and they book real appointments that actually happen.
How much do canvassers make in Chicago in 2026?
There are two “worlds” of pay:
- General canvassing pay (political, nonprofit, solar, outreach, etc.)
- Storm restoration canvassing pay (roofing/exteriors; usually higher upside)
Chicago averages (baseline)
- Indeed reports an average canvasser base pay around $23.76/hour in Chicago, based on job postings data (updated Oct 25, 2025). Indeed
- Glassdoor estimates around $52K/year for canvassers in Chicago (range varies; based on reported salaries). Glassdoor
- ZipRecruiter shows an Illinois canvasser average around $44,523/year (as of Jan 2026). ZipRecruiter
Those are “all canvassers.” Storm-damage canvassing can beat those numbers because it often adds bonuses per appointment and per signed job.
The 3 most common pay plans for storm-damage door knocking
1) Hourly + bonuses (most common for newer reps)
You’ll see postings like $18–$30/hr with performance bonuses and sometimes gas support. Indeed+1
Best for: new canvassers who need stability and training.
2) Pay per appointment (set fee per “qualified set”)
A very common structure is paying per appointment set, often in the $25–$60 range depending on how strict the definition is. Facebook+2Archcraft Exteriors+2
Some companies stack weekly bonuses (example: bonus at 10 sets/week, higher bonus at 25 sets/week). Archcraft Exteriors
Best for: people who are good at the door and want to scale output.
3) Pay per signed deal (or “conversion bonus”)
Many plans add an extra bonus when a lead becomes a signed job—examples discussed publicly include $100+ per signed (sometimes more for a full roof replacement). Facebook+2Archcraft Exteriors+2
Best for: disciplined canvassers who set high-quality appointments that hold.
What you can realistically make: a simple earnings example
Your income usually comes down to 4 numbers:
- Doors knocked
- Contact rate (how many open)
- Set rate (appointments booked per contacts)
- Sit rate (appointments that actually happen)
Example (not a promise—just math):
- 30 hours/week at $20/hr = $600/week base
- 12 qualified appointments/week at $40 each = $480/week
- 3 of those become signed jobs at $150 each = $450/week
Total = $1,530/week (before taxes)
If your sit rate is weak or your “qualified” sets are sloppy, that number drops fast. If you’re consistent and your quality is high, it climbs fast.
What to expect door knocking storm damage in Chicago
The schedule
Most productive windows:
- Weekdays: late afternoon to early evening
- Saturdays: late morning to mid-afternoon
Chicago weather matters. You’ll work around:
- heat/humidity in summer
- early darkness and cold snaps
- wind/rain days that reduce opens
The reality at the door
You’ll hear:
- “We already have a roofer”
- “No soliciting”
- “Is this a scam?”
Door-to-door roofing has a scam reputation in many areas, so professionalism is everything. (Homeowners are on guard—rightfully.) Courier Mail
The physical side
- lots of walking
- stairs/porches
- carrying flyers/door hangers
- staying sharp and safe in neighborhoods and traffic
The biggest mistakes new canvassers make (and how to avoid them)
- Calling everything a “lead.”
A name/number is not the same as a confirmed appointment with a decision-maker. - Overpromising insurance outcomes.
Your job is to book an inspection, not guarantee coverage. - Not tracking data.
Top teams track doors/hour, set rate, sit rate, and conversion quality. Reddit - Weak follow-up.
Confirming appointments and reducing no-shows can be the difference between average and elite earnings.
Interview checklist: questions that protect you
Before you take a canvasser job, ask:
- Is it W2 or 1099?
- What counts as a qualified appointment?
- Do you pay on set, sit, signed, or all three?
- When do you pay bonuses (weekly, biweekly)?
- Is there a gas card/mileage or travel stipend? (Some postings include it.) Indeed
- Who runs the appointment—your closer/inspector—and what’s their close rate?
- What neighborhoods do you target, and how do you avoid “random knocking”?
If they can’t define “qualified,” can’t explain payout timing, or keep changing numbers—treat that as a red flag.
Want canvasser work in Chicagoland?
If you want to talk to a real person about canvasser opportunities, pay structure, or what neighborhoods we’re working after storms:
Allied Emergency Services, Inc.
Phone: 800-792-0212
Email: info@alliedemergencyservices.com
Apply: https://www.careers.alliedemergencyservices.com/job/canvasser-door-to-door-storm-damage-chicagoland
