Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor

What Should You Ask a Roofing Contractor?

Ask for current certificates showing general liability and workers compensation insurance, then for a fully itemized written proposal. That proposal should name the shingle manufacturer and grade, tear-off and disposal, underlayment specification, ice-and-water shield and where it will be applied, new flashing at each penetration, ventilation work, the permit, and cleanup. Also ask how decking replacement is handled and priced, what the material and labor warranties cover, and whether the crew is directly employed. A roof is one of the largest single investments in a home, and these answers reveal whether a contractor will do the job correctly and protect you from liability.

Are You Licensed and Insured, and Can I See Certificates?

Ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers compensation coverage, and confirm the contractor holds any licensing required in your state. Roofing without proper insurance exposes you to liability if a worker is injured on your property. A legitimate contractor provides certificates without hesitation; one who deflects or delays should be eliminated immediately. Confirm the policy is current by calling the insurer directly if you have any doubt. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask Before Signing a Roofing Contract.)

What Specifically Is Included in This Quote?

Ask for an itemized breakdown: shingle manufacturer and grade, tear-off and disposal, underlayment specification and coverage, ice-and-water shield specification and where it will be applied, new flashing at which penetrations, ventilation assessment and any required work, permit, and cleanup. Wide spreads between contractor bids are almost always explained by different scope assumptions. A detailed written proposal protects you from scope additions at mid-project.

Will You Assess the Decking Before Installation?

Ask specifically how decking condition is handled: is it inspected after tear-off and is replacement priced at a defined per-sheet rate? A contractor who gives a firm total price before seeing the decking is either very experienced with similar roofs or is pricing the risk into the quote. Most legitimate contractors price decking replacement separately at a per-sheet rate so the final cost reflects actual conditions.

What Is the Warranty Coverage and Who Backs It?

There are two warranty types on any new roof: the shingle manufacturer’s material warranty (typically 30 years on architectural shingles) and the contractor’s workmanship warranty (typically 2 to 10 years on labor). Ask specifically: what does the manufacturer warranty cover, what does the workmanship warranty cover, and how do claims work? A contractor who offers no workmanship warranty is not standing behind their installation quality.

Who Will Actually Do the Work?

Some roofing companies sell and manage but subcontract installation to crews they do not directly employ or train. Ask whether the crew doing the installation is employed by the contractor and whether the contractor will be on-site during installation. Accountability is higher when the people doing the work are directly employed and supervised. (For more on this, see How to Find the Best Roofing Contractor.)

Putting It Together

Licensing and insurance verification, itemized scope, decking handling, warranty terms, and crew accountability distinguish quality roofing contractors. When you are ready, connect with local pros below.

Working With a Contractor on This Project

Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.

Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.

Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.

Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.

Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.

Making a Confident Decision

The information in this article is designed to help you ask better questions of the professionals you work with, evaluate their answers with more confidence, and understand the decisions involved in this type of home services project. It is not a substitute for professional assessment of your specific home.

Every home is different. Roof slopes, local weather, tree exposure, soil conditions, and existing system condition all affect what the right solution is for your specific situation. The general principles here apply broadly, but a professional who assesses your home in person will give you guidance that accounts for the details that general articles cannot.

When you are ready to move forward, getting at least two or three quotes from licensed, insured, local contractors is the most important practical step. It lets you compare approaches, assess contractor quality, and confirm that the solution proposed matches your specific situation and budget. The FTC advises hiring only licensed, insured contractors, getting the full scope in writing, and never paying the full amount up front.