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Roofing Updated June 11, 2026 By Sarah Whitfield

15 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before You Hire

Before hiring a roofer, confirm they’re licensed and insured, get an itemized written quote that covers tear-off and decking, and pin down ventilation, permits, payment schedule, and warranties. The right questions — and knowing what good and bad answers sound like — weed out scammers and lowball bids before they cost you. Print this list and use it on every estimate visit.

Licensing & Credentials

1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in this state? Why it matters: Many states don’t license roofers at all, so insurance is your real protection — an uninsured injury on your roof can become your liability. ✅ Good answer: “Here’s our license number — verify it on the state site — and I’ll have our agent email you current liability and workers’ comp certificates directly.” ❌ Bad answer: “We’re fully covered, don’t worry about it,” or a photocopied certificate they hand you themselves (forgeries are common). The FTC’s hiring a contractor guide recommends independently confirming credentials with your state or local agency — do it.

2. Do you have a local physical address, and how long have you operated here? Why it matters: Workmanship warranties only matter if the company exists in year five. Post-storm “storm chasers” vanish before problems surface — see how to find a good roofing contractor near you. ✅ Good: A street address you can see on Street View, reviews going back years. ❌ Bad: A P.O. box, out-of-state plates, and a Google profile created last month.

3. Are you certified by a shingle manufacturer (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed)? Why it matters: Top-tier certifications (GAF Master Elite, OC Platinum Preferred) mean the manufacturer has vetted their insurance and install quality — and unlock manufacturer-backed workmanship warranties that survive contractor turnover. NRCA membership is another professionalism signal.

The Quote & Scope

4. Can you provide a fully itemized written quote? Why it matters: Lump-sum bids hide skipped scope. Itemization is the only way to compare bids fairly — see how to compare contractor bids. ✅ Good: Line items for materials (brand and product line), tear-off, underlayment type, ice & water shield, flashing, ventilation, permits, dump fees, cleanup, warranty terms. ❌ Bad: “Roof replacement — $14,000” on a single line.

5. Is this a full tear-off, or an overlay over existing shingles? Why it matters: An overlay (second layer) saves $1,000–$3,000 upfront but hides deck rot, voids many shingle warranties, adds weight, and shortens the new roof’s life. Most codes allow a maximum of two layers; many quality roofers refuse overlays entirely. ✅ Good: “Full tear-off, included in the price — we won’t quote overlays.” ❌ Bad: “We can just go over the old layer and save you money” without mentioning a single downside.

6. What happens if you find rotted decking — and what’s the price per sheet? Why it matters: Decking condition is unknowable until tear-off, making it the classic mid-job surprise charge. ✅ Good: “The quote includes replacing up to 2–3 sheets; beyond that it’s $80–$120 per 4×8 sheet of plywood/OSB, and we’ll photograph anything we replace before covering it.” ❌ Bad: “We’ll deal with that if it comes up” — an open-ended invoice waiting to happen.

7. How far up the roof does ice & water shield go, and what underlayment are you using? Why it matters: Ice & water membrane at eaves and valleys is what stops ice-dam and wind-driven-rain leaks. Code in cold climates typically requires it to extend at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line — quality installs go further. ✅ Good: Specific products and coverage (“two courses at eaves, all valleys, around penetrations; synthetic underlayment everywhere else”). ❌ Bad: “Standard felt, standard install” with no specifics.

8. What’s your ventilation plan for my attic? Why it matters: Bad ventilation cooks shingles from below, voids manufacturer warranties, and causes ice dams. A re-roof is the cheapest moment to fix it. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) ties proper roof system installation directly to long-term durability. ✅ Good: They calculate intake (soffit) vs. exhaust (ridge) balance and quote any corrections. ❌ Bad: They never went in the attic and never mentioned ventilation.

9. Who pulls the permit — you or me? Why it matters: The permit holder is the responsible party. A contractor asking you to pull an owner’s permit is often dodging licensing requirements or inspections — and shifting code liability onto you. ✅ Good: “We pull it, the cost is in the quote, and the city inspects before and after.” ❌ Bad: “You can pull it yourself and save money,” or “this job doesn’t need a permit” (most re-roofs do).

Pricing & Payment

10. What is the total cost in writing, and how does it compare to market? Why it matters: Benchmark every bid against typical roof replacement costs. Labor dominates roofing bids — crews bill well above the median roofer wages in the mid-$20s/hour per BLS (May 2025) once insurance and overhead load in — so a bid 30%+ below the others usually means uninsured labor or missing scope, not a bargain.

11. What’s the payment schedule, and do you provide lien waivers? Why it matters: If the roofer doesn’t pay their suppliers or subs, those parties can place a mechanic’s lien on your home — even though you paid in full. ✅ Good: 10–30% deposit, balance on completion, and signed lien waivers from the contractor and material supplier with final payment. ❌ Bad: 50%+ upfront, cash demanded, never heard of a lien waiver.

12. Do you offer financing, and through whom? Why it matters: Contractor financing is convenient but compare the APR against a home equity option. Beware financing pitches that distract from an inflated base price.

Warranties & Insurance Claims

13. What workmanship and material warranties do I get — in writing? Why it matters: Material warranties (manufacturer) and workmanship warranties (contractor) cover different failures. Manufacturer-backed system warranties through certified installers are the gold standard because they survive contractor turnover. ✅ Good: “Lifetime-limited material warranty registered with the manufacturer, plus our 10-year workmanship warranty — both documents in your closing packet.” ❌ Bad: Verbal promises, or “the shingles have a warranty” with nothing on labor.

14. Can you work with my insurance claim — and will you ever touch my deductible? Why it matters: Experienced roofers genuinely help document storm damage and meet adjusters. But “we’ll waive/eat your deductible” is insurance fraud in most states. ✅ Good: “We’ll document damage and meet the adjuster, but you pay your deductible — it’s the law.” See does insurance cover roof replacement before any storm-related conversation. ❌ Bad: Deductible waivers, inflated invoices to cover it, or pressure to sign over your insurance check upfront.

Logistics

15. What’s the timeline, how do you handle weather, and what does cleanup include? Why it matters: Most replacements take 1–3 days; what matters is protection during the job and after. ✅ Good: “Tarps over landscaping and pools, decking covered if rain threatens mid-job, magnetic nail sweep of the yard and driveway daily, dumpster gone within 48 hours.” ❌ Bad: Vague timeline, no rain plan, “we’ll tidy up at the end.”

Red Flags in Their Answers

Walk away if you hear any of these, regardless of price:

Pick the materials conversation up separately with roof cost by material so you can judge whether their product recommendation serves you or their margin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask a roofer before hiring? Cover four areas: credentials (license, insurance certificates sent from the agent, manufacturer certifications), scope (tear-off vs. overlay, decking price per sheet, ice & water shield, ventilation, permits), money (itemized total, payment schedule, lien waivers), and protection (both warranties in writing).

How do I avoid roofing scams? Get three itemized written quotes, verify credentials independently per the FTC’s contractor-hiring guidance, never pay large sums upfront, refuse deductible-waiver offers, and be wary of post-storm door-knockers with no local history.

What’s the most overlooked question to ask a roofer? The decking question. Rotted decking is the most common surprise charge in roofing, and contractors who quote a per-sheet price upfront — and photograph what they replace — are signaling honesty about the whole job.

Is a deposit normal for roofing? Yes — 10–30%, often tied to material delivery. Full payment before completion is never normal, and final payment should always be exchanged for signed lien waivers.

Should I automatically take the lowest bid? No. Compare scope line by line first — the low bid frequently omits tear-off, quality underlayment, ventilation work, or decking allowances, then recovers the difference in change orders. A bid far below the labor math implied by prevailing wages is a warning, not a win.

Sources: FTC — Hiring a Contractor · National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) · Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

Last updated: June 2026. For informational purposes only.