Questions to Ask When Hiring a Roofing Contractor in 2025
Your roof is your home's first defense against the elements. Hiring the wrong contractor can lead to leaks, void warranties, and thousands in repairs. These questions separate professional roofers from fly-by-night operators.
Licensing and Insurance Questions
1. Are you licensed and bonded in this state?
What to look for:
- State contractor license number you can verify online
- License should match business name on estimate
- License must be current (not expired or suspended)
- Some states don't require roofing licenses—check local requirements
Red flag: "License is pending" or refuses to provide number
2. What insurance coverage do you carry?
Request proof of:
- General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million coverage
- Worker's compensation: For all employees
- Commercial auto insurance: For company vehicles
Follow up: "Can I get a Certificate of Insurance listing me as additional insured?"
Why this matters: If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be liable for medical costs and lost wages.
3. Can I verify your insurance directly with your carrier?
A legitimate contractor will:
- Provide insurance company name and policy number
- Give you agent contact information
- Have no problem with you calling to verify coverage
Experience and Qualifications
4. How long have you been in business?
Experience benchmarks:
- 5+ years: Established, survived economic cycles
- 2-5 years: Acceptable with strong references
- Under 2 years: Higher risk, need exceptional references
Follow up: "Is this your first roofing business, or have you operated under different names?"
5. Are you certified by roofing manufacturers?
Manufacturer certifications indicate training and quality standards:
- GAF Master Elite: Top 3% of contractors
- CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster: Advanced training
- Owens Corning Platinum Preferred: Elite status
- IKO ShieldPRO Plus: Premium certification
Certifications often unlock extended warranty coverage (30-50 years vs. standard 10-15).
6. How many roofs like mine have you completed?
Ensure contractor has experience with:
- Your specific roofing material (asphalt, metal, tile, slate)
- Your roof pitch and complexity
- Your home's architectural style
- Local weather challenges
Ask: "Can you show me photos of 3-5 similar projects completed in the past year?"
References and Reviews
7. Can you provide local references from the past 6 months?
Request at least 5 references and actually call them. Ask:
- "Was the project completed on time and on budget?"
- "How was communication throughout the project?"
- "Did they clean up thoroughly each day?"
- "Any issues with leaks or callbacks after completion?"
- "Would you hire them again?"
8. Can I see a completed project in person?
Viewing finished work reveals:
- Quality of installation and flashing details
- Cleanliness of worksite
- Attention to aesthetics and alignment
- How roof has performed over time
Project Planning Questions
9. Will you perform a roof inspection before providing an estimate?
A thorough inspection should include:
- Attic inspection (ventilation, decking, moisture)
- Roof surface examination
- Chimney and flashing assessment
- Gutter and drainage evaluation
- Photos or video documentation
Red flag: Provides estimate from ground or aerial photos only
10. What roofing materials do you recommend and why?
A knowledgeable contractor will discuss:
- Climate suitability for your area
- Lifespan comparisons (20 vs. 30 vs. 50+ years)
- Energy efficiency benefits
- Warranty differences between brands
- Aesthetic options matching your home style
- Budget alternatives without sacrificing quality
11. Will you replace or repair the roof decking if needed?
Critical question revealing hidden costs:
- "Is decking inspection and replacement included in your quote?"
- "What's your cost per sheet for decking replacement?"
- "How do you handle unexpected rot or damage discovered during installation?"
Rotten decking is found in 30-50% of replacement projects. Get pricing upfront.
Estimate and Pricing Questions
12. Can I get a detailed written estimate?
A complete estimate must include:
- Exact shingle brand, model, and color
- Number of squares (roof measurement)
- Underlayment type and brand
- Flashing materials and specifications
- Ventilation components
- Removal and disposal of old roof
- Labor costs
- Permit fees
- Warranty details
- Payment schedule
- Project timeline
13. What's included in your price, and what's extra?
Clarify these potential add-ons:
- Additional decking: $75-$150 per sheet
- Chimney flashing: $200-$600
- Skylight replacement/resealing: $400-$1,200 each
- Pipe boot replacement: $30-$75 each
- Ridge vent installation: $8-$15 per linear foot
- Ice and water shield: $100-$300
- Gutter replacement: $800-$2,500
14. What is your payment schedule?
Reasonable payment terms:
- Deposit: 10-25% to secure materials
- Mid-project: 25-50% when old roof removed
- Final payment: 25-50% after inspection approval
Red flag: Demands 50%+ upfront or full payment before completion
Installation Process Questions
15. How long will the project take?
Typical timelines:
- Simple ranch (1,500 sq ft): 1-2 days
- Two-story home (2,500 sq ft): 2-3 days
- Complex roof (multiple levels): 3-5 days
Ask: "What could delay the project, and how do you handle weather delays?"
16. Who will be doing the actual work?
Find out:
- Will the owner/estimator be on-site?
- How experienced is the installation crew?
- Do you use subcontractors or employees?
- Will the same crew start and finish the job?
- How many crew members will be on-site?
17. What safety measures do you take?
Professional contractors follow OSHA standards:
- Fall protection systems (harnesses, guardrails)
- Roof anchors and safety lines
- Ground-level protection (barriers, warning tape)
- Daily safety briefings
- Proper ladder setup and stabilization
18. How do you protect my property during installation?
Expect these precautions:
- Tarps covering landscaping and AC units
- Magnetic rollers to collect nails daily
- Plywood protection for walkways and driveways
- Dumpster or trailer for debris (not piled in yard)
- Final cleanup inspection before crew leaves
Warranty Questions
19. What warranties come with my roof?
Two separate warranties apply:
- Manufacturer warranty: Shingle defects (20-50 years)
- Workmanship warranty: Installation errors (1-10 years)
Critical questions:
- "How long is your workmanship warranty?"
- "What does it cover specifically?"
- "Is it transferable if I sell my home?"
- "What voids the warranty?"
20. What is your callback policy?
Ask about:
- Response time for leaks or issues
- Emergency contact availability
- Whether repairs are covered under warranty
- Process for filing warranty claims
Permits and Code Compliance
21. Will you obtain all necessary permits?
A reputable contractor will:
- Pull permits in their name (not yours)
- Include permit costs in estimate
- Schedule required inspections
- Provide permit documentation at completion
Red flag: "You don't need a permit" or "Permits just slow things down"
Unpermitted work can void insurance, cause issues when selling, and result in fines.
22. Do you guarantee your work will pass inspection?
Ask:
- "What happens if the work fails inspection?"
- "Who pays for re-inspection fees?"
- "Have you had roofs fail inspection in the past year?"
Material and Installation Standards
23. What underlayment do you use?
Quality options:
- Synthetic underlayment: Best (stronger, longer-lasting than felt)
- Ice and water shield: Critical for eaves, valleys, penetrations
- #30 felt paper: Minimum acceptable (older technology)
Red flag: Using #15 felt as primary underlayment (too thin for most applications).
24. How do you handle ventilation?
Proper ventilation prevents:
- Premature shingle aging
- Ice dam formation
- Attic moisture and mold
- Higher energy bills
Ask: "Will you calculate proper intake/exhaust ventilation ratios for my attic?"
25. What nailing pattern do you follow?
Manufacturer specifications typically require:
- 4-6 nails per shingle (varies by wind zone)
- High-wind areas may require 6 nails + adhesive strips
- Proper nail placement (not too high or too low)
- Correct nail depth (flush, not over-driven)
Storm and Insurance Work
26. Do you work with insurance companies?
If filing insurance claim, ask:
- "Can you meet with my insurance adjuster?"
- "Will you provide a detailed estimate for my claim?"
- "Do you accept insurance payment directly?"
- "What happens if insurance doesn't cover everything?"
27. Do you charge for inspections or estimates?
Most reputable contractors:
- Provide free inspections for replacement estimates
- May charge $100-$300 for detailed inspection reports
- Often credit inspection fee toward project if hired
Final Decision Questions
28. Can you start work immediately, or do you have a waitlist?
Scheduling insights:
- 2-4 week wait: Normal for busy, reputable contractors
- Can start tomorrow: Possible red flag (desperate for work?)
- 2+ month wait: Very busy or poor project management
29. What happens if I'm not satisfied with the work?
A confident contractor will explain:
- Their quality control process
- How they handle customer concerns
- Dispute resolution procedures
- Final walkthrough and punch list process
30. Why should I choose you over other contractors?
Listen for:
- Specific competitive advantages (not just "we're the best")
- Unique warranties or guarantees
- Local reputation and community involvement
- Specialized training or expertise
- Customer service commitments
Red Flags Summary
Walk away if contractor:
- Can't provide license or insurance proof
- Offers price significantly lower than others (30%+)
- Demands large deposit (50%+) upfront
- Pressures you to sign same-day
- Refuses to provide written estimate
- Says permits aren't necessary
- Can't provide recent local references
- Only accepts cash payments
- Arrived unsolicited after storm
- Won't guarantee workmanship in writing
Document Everything
Before signing contract, ensure you have:
- Written estimate with material specifications
- Proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance)
- Verified contractor license number
- Payment schedule in writing
- Warranty terms documented
- Project timeline with start/end dates
- Lien waiver from contractor (protects against subcontractor claims)
- Copy of building permit