15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

1. Licensing & Credentials – Are They Legit?

Roofing is heavily regulated because a faulty roof can compromise the entire structure. Start by confirming the contractor’s legal standing.

• Question 1: What is your state licensing number, and can you show the current certificate?
• Good answer: "Our license is #RC-45678, valid through 2026. Here’s a copy of the online verification page."
• Red flag: Vague answers, no license number, or a license that expires soon.
• Question 2: Are you a member of any professional roofing associations?
• Good answer: "We belong to the National Roofing Contractors Association and attend their annual safety workshops."
• Red flag: No affiliations or unwillingness to discuss industry standards.

2. Insurance & Liability – Who Pays If Something Goes Wrong?

Even the most careful crew can cause damage. Proper coverage protects you from being on the hook for accidents or injuries.

• Question 3: Can you provide a certificate of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation?
• Good answer: "Here’s a current COI showing $1 million general liability and full workers’ comp coverage for all employees."
• Red flag: Offering to add you as an “additional insured” after the job starts, or providing an expired certificate.
• Question 4: Do you carry a separate bond for this project?
• Good answer: "Yes, we have a performance bond that guarantees completion according to the contract terms."
• Red flag: No bond or a bond that only covers a fraction of the project cost.

3. Warranty & Workmanship Guarantees – How Long Are You Covered?

Roofing warranties are two‑part: the manufacturer’s material warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty. Both matter.

• Question 5: What does your workmanship warranty cover, and how long does it last?
• Good answer: "We offer a 10‑year labor warranty that covers any leaks caused by installation errors, with no deductible."
• Red flag: A warranty that expires within a year or requires you to pay for any follow‑up service.
• Question 6: Which roofing material manufacturers do you work with, and what are their warranty terms?
• Good answer: "We install Brand‑X shingles that come with a 25‑year no‑leak warranty, transferable to the next owner."
• Red flag: No clear brand name or a vague statement like ‘industry standard warranty.’

4. Project Timeline & Scheduling – When Will It Be Done?

Roof replacements are weather‑dependent and involve several steps. Knowing the schedule helps you plan around disruptions.

• Question 7: What is the estimated start date and total duration for the project?
• Good answer: "We can begin the week of May 10 and expect 5‑7 working days, weather permitting."
• Red flag: No specific dates, or a promise to finish “as soon as possible” without a timeline.
• Question 8: How do you handle weather delays or unexpected site conditions?
• Good answer: "If we lose more than two consecutive days to rain, we’ll extend the schedule at no extra charge and keep you updated daily."
• Red flag: Shifting responsibility to you or vague statements about “unforeseeable circumstances.”

5. Payment Schedule & Deposits – How Much Money Is Safe to Hand Over?

Roofing contracts often involve a deposit and progress payments. The structure of those payments can reveal a contractor’s confidence in their work.

• Question 9: What is your payment schedule, and when is the final payment due?
• Good answer: "We require a 10‑15% deposit to order materials, a second payment after tear‑off, and the balance upon final inspection and your written sign‑off."
• Red flag: A demand for more than a third of the total cost up front, or payment only after the job is complete.
• Question 10: Do you offer a lien waiver with each payment?
• Good answer: "Yes, we provide a signed lien waiver for every payment you make, protecting you from future claims."
• Red flag: Refusing to sign waivers or offering them only after the project ends.

6. Permits, Inspections, & Subcontractors – Who Handles the Paperwork?

Most municipalities require a building permit for roof work. The contractor who pulls the permit is legally responsible for compliance.

• Question 11: Will you obtain all required permits and schedule the final inspection?
• Good answer: "We’ll pull the permit, pay the fees, and coordinate the city inspector for the final sign‑off."
• Red flag: Saying you’ll “assist” with permits but not take responsibility.
• Question 12: Do you use any subcontractors, and if so, are they licensed and insured?
• Good answer: "Our crew is fully employed by us, and any specialist we bring in (e.g., skylight installers) provides proof of license and insurance before starting."
• Red flag: Vague references to “third‑party crews” without documentation.
• Question 13: How will you protect my property during the job (e.g., tarps, debris removal)?
• Good answer: "We cover the entire house with a protective tarp, use a dumpster for debris, and clean the site daily."
• Red flag: No plan for protection or cleanup, or charging extra for basic site safety.

7. Final Checklist – Summarizing the 15 Must‑Ask Questions

Use this quick reference when you meet a contractor. A solid answer should be specific, documented, and free of vague qualifiers.

Question	Good Answer Traits	Red‑Flag Indicators
License number & verification	Exact number, current expiration, online verification link	None provided, expired, or “we’re licensed” without proof
Insurance certificates	Current COI, limits listed, includes workers’ comp	Expired, missing workers’ comp, “we’ll get it later”
Workmanship warranty	Specific years, covers labor, no deductible	One‑year or “as per manufacturer” only
Material warranty	Brand name, years, transferable	Vague “industry standard” language
Project timeline	Start date, number of days, weather contingency	“Soon” or no dates at all
Payment schedule	Low deposit, milestones tied to work phases, lien waivers	Large upfront payment, no waivers
Permits & inspections	Contractor pulls permits, schedules inspection	Homeowner responsible, no plan mentioned
Subcontractors	Names, licenses, insurance copies provided	“Third‑party crew” with no documentation

When a contractor can answer each of these points clearly and backs it up with paperwork, you’ve significantly lowered the risk of surprise costs, shoddy work, or legal headaches. If any answer feels evasive, request clarification in writing before you sign anything.