How to Choose a Roofing Contractor: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Roofing is one of the most fraud-prone home improvement categories. Storm-chaser contractors, unlicensed crews, and companies that disappear after taking a deposit cause millions of dollars in homeowner losses every year. The stakes are high — a bad roofing job can void your manufacturer's warranty, fail to fix the underlying problem, and cost you far more to fix than it would have to hire a quality contractor in the first place. Before hiring anyone, make sure you know the signs you need a new roof vs. a simple repair.

Here's how to find and vet a contractor you can trust.

Why Contractor Selection Matters More for Roofing

Unlike interior projects, roofing mistakes are often invisible until they cause water damage — sometimes months or years later. If you're still deciding whether to repair or replace, see our roof repair vs replacement guide first. A poorly installed roof can:

• Void the manufacturer's material warranty (most warranties require certified installer installation)
• Develop leaks at improper flashings within 1–2 years
• Experience shingle blow-offs from improper nailing patterns
• Allow moisture intrusion from inadequate underlayment

The quality difference between the best and worst roofing contractor in your market is far larger than the price difference in their quotes.

Where to Find Reputable Roofing Contractors

1. Manufacturer certification programs: Leading shingle manufacturers — GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas — certify contractors who meet training, licensing, and installation standards. These programs go by names like:

• GAF Master Elite Contractor
• CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster
• Owens Corning Preferred Contractor

Manufacturer-certified contractors can offer enhanced warranties (often 25–50 years on both materials and labor) not available through standard installation. This is the single most reliable quality signal in the market.

2. NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) members: The trade association for professional roofing contractors. Members agree to professional standards.

3. Local references from neighbors: A company that has done several roofs in your neighborhood has visible evidence of their work. Ask to see recently completed jobs.

4. State licensing board verification: Most states require roofing contractors to be licensed. Verify the license number through your state's contractor licensing board website.

The 10 Questions to Ask Every Contractor

1. "Can I see your license and certificate of insurance?"

Every roofing contractor doing work on your home should carry:

• Contractor's license (check it's current through your state board)
• General liability insurance ($1 million minimum)
• Workers' compensation insurance (covers workers injured on your property)

Red flag: Hesitation, inability to produce documents immediately, or claims that insurance "isn't necessary" for your job.

2. "Are you a local company with a permanent address?"

Storm-chaser contractors follow hail and wind events, work an area for 6–12 months, then move on. When you call about a leak two years later, they're gone.

Ask for a physical business address (not a P.O. box), a local phone number, and how long they've been in business in your area. Google the company name and look for a history in your region.

Red flag: Out-of-state plates, a just-launched online presence, pressure to sign today.

3. "Who actually does the installation — your crew or subcontractors?"

Many roofing companies subcontract the actual installation to crews they don't directly employ. This isn't automatically bad, but the answer affects accountability.

If they subcontract, ask: Do you supervise every job? Are your subcontractors licensed and insured? Are they certified by the manufacturer?

Red flag: "We use different crews depending on the job" with no clear quality control process.

4. "What manufacturer certification do you hold?"

GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, and similar certifications require contractors to maintain licensing, insurance, training requirements, and positive customer feedback. Only 3% of roofers achieve GAF Master Elite status.

Certified contractors can also offer manufacturer-backed warranties on labor — something non-certified installers cannot provide.

Red flag: No manufacturer certifications, or vague claims of being "preferred" without specific program details.

5. "Will you pull the permit?"

A roofing replacement almost always requires a building permit. The permit triggers an inspection that confirms proper installation. Homeowners who allow unpermitted work may face issues when selling the home or filing insurance claims.

Legitimate contractors include permits in their quote and pull them as a matter of course.

Red flag: "We don't need a permit for this job" (almost never true for full replacement), or asking you to pull the permit yourself.

6. "What does your quote include?"

Get a written, itemized quote specifying:

• Shingle brand, product line, color, and warranty
• Underlayment type and brand
• Ice and water shield (in applicable climates)
• Drip edge and starter strips
• Removal and disposal of existing roofing
• Flashing work (chimney, valleys, pipe boots)
• Cleanup and final inspection

Red flag: A quote that specifies only "shingle replacement" with no material details. Contractors who hide material specs often substitute lower-quality products at installation.

7. "What is your workmanship warranty?"

Manufacturer material warranties cover defective materials. Workmanship warranties cover installation errors — and installation errors are the most common source of problems.

Quality contractors offer 2–10 year workmanship warranties. Manufacturer-certified contractors with enhanced programs (like GAF WindProven) may offer 25+ year coverage on workmanship.

Red flag: Workmanship warranty under 2 years, or no workmanship warranty.

8. "Do you use subcontractors from out of state?"

Post-storm, some companies import large crews from other states to handle surge demand. These crews may be unfamiliar with local code requirements and may not be covered by the company's insurance in your state.

9. "Can you provide 3 local references from the past 12 months?"

Reputable companies have a long list of local customers willing to provide references. Call at least 2–3 of them and ask:

• Did the crew show up when scheduled?
• Was the job completed in the timeframe quoted?
• Did they clean up thoroughly after?
• Have you had any issues since completion?

Red flag: Reluctance to provide references, or references who are clearly scripted or vague.

10. "What happens if there's a problem after installation?"

How a contractor handles post-installation issues is the ultimate test of their integrity. Ask specifically: Who do I call? What's the response time? Will you charge me for a service call?

A contractor who has been in business locally for years and plans to stay has a strong incentive to stand behind their work. A contractor who will be gone in six months does not. For context on how long a properly installed roof should last, see how long does a roof last.

Red Flags to Walk Away From

• Door-to-door solicitation after a storm: "We noticed damage while in the neighborhood" is the calling card of storm chasers.
• Pressure to sign today: Legitimate contractors let you take time to compare quotes. "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic.
• Large upfront deposit requests: A deposit of 10–30% is normal. Never pay more than 30% upfront or the full amount before work begins.
• Asking you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB): This transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor — they can then sue your insurer directly if there's a dispute. Avoid.
• Quotes significantly lower than competitors: If one quote is 30–40% below others for the same scope, something is wrong — cheaper materials, unlicensed crew, or the intention to cut corners.

Getting the Best Price

For a full roof replacement, get quotes from at least 3 contractors. See our roof replacement cost guide for typical price ranges by material and home size.

Prices are negotiable — especially in non-peak seasons (fall and winter in most regions). Getting multiple quotes not only protects you from overcharging but gives you leverage to ask a preferred contractor to meet a competitor's price.

If you're also weighing material options, see our roofing materials comparison and our metal roof vs asphalt shingles guide before finalizing your choice.