Questions to Ask a Roofer Before Hiring

The quality of a roofing contractor is determined before they ever climb on your roof. These are the questions that separate legitimate professionals from operations that will cut corners and disappear.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured — and Can I See Proof?

Don't just ask if they're licensed — ask to see the license number so you can verify it yourself on your state's contractor licensing board website. Licensing requirements vary by state; some require roofing-specific licenses, others a general contractor's license.

For insurance, ask for a certificate of insurance showing:

• General liability (at least $1M per occurrence) — covers damage to your property
• Workers' compensation — covers workers injured on your property

Call the insurance company directly to verify the policy is current. An expired certificate is worthless.

2. How Long Have You Been in Business Locally?

A company that's been operating in your area for 5+ years has a track record and a community reputation to protect. Ask specifically about local tenure — a national company that opened a local franchise last year isn't the same as a contractor who's been serving your area for a decade.

3. What Shingle Product Are You Recommending — and Why?

A legitimate roofer should be able to tell you the specific product: brand, product line (e.g., Owens Corning Duration, GAF Timberline HDZ), and why they're recommending it for your situation. Vague answers like "good quality asphalt" are a red flag.

Also ask: do they have manufacturer certifications? GAF Master Elite and Owens Corning Platinum contractors receive better warranty coverage to pass on to you.

4. Will You Pull the Required Permits?

Most jurisdictions require a building permit for full roof replacement. Permits ensure the work is inspected and meets code. Contractors who offer to skip permits are either cutting a corner or don't know local code — both are bad signs. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell the house.

5. What Does the Tear-Off Process Look Like?

Ask specifically:

• Will all existing layers be removed, or are they roofing over existing shingles?
• Who inspects and repairs the decking if damage is found?
• How is decking repair priced — included in the quote or billed separately?

Roofing over existing shingles is sometimes acceptable (if only one existing layer is present and the decking is sound), but full tear-off produces better long-term results. If they're roofing over, make sure it's a deliberate choice, not a cost-cutting shortcut.

6. What Is the Warranty — Both Materials and Labor?

There are two warranties:

• Manufacturer warranty: covers material defects. Ranges from 25 years to lifetime for premium products.
• Workmanship (labor) warranty: covers installation errors. Good contractors offer 2–10 years. Some premium certified contractors offer 25-year workmanship warranties.

Ask specifically what voids each warranty. Many manufacturer warranties are voided by improper installation — a reason to use certified installers.

7. What's the Payment Schedule?

A reasonable structure: 10–30% deposit to schedule and order materials, balance due on completion. Never pay in full before work begins. Never pay cash without a written receipt.

If a contractor demands 50%+ upfront, that's a red flag. Storm chasers and fraudulent operators often take large deposits and disappear.

8. Who Is Doing the Work — Employees or Subcontractors?

Many roofing companies subcontract the actual installation. That's not necessarily bad — but it matters for accountability. Ask:

• Will a company supervisor be on-site during the project?
• Are subs covered under the contractor's workers' compensation, or do they carry their own?
• Who is the point of contact if something goes wrong during or after the job?

9. Can You Provide Local References?

Ask for references from jobs completed in the last 12 months within your area. Then actually call or message them. Ask: were they on time, did anything go wrong and how was it handled, would you hire them again?

10. What Does Cleanup Include?

A full roof replacement involves thousands of nails, shingle debris, and packaging. Ask explicitly: do they use a dump trailer, do they run a magnet for nails, and what happens if debris damages a neighbor's property?