Top Questions to Ask before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Are you curious to know the top questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor? If yes, we have a solution for you. This comprehensive guide includes all the mandatory questions that you should ask a roofing contractor. 

When you need a roof repair or a full replacement, the first thing that comes to mind is how to find the right roofing contractor. In fact, it’s not just a home improvement, but has a huge financial impact. Besides, hiring a professional and qualified roofing contractor requires patience and due diligence.

To help you make an informed decision, we are going to walk through the important questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor. By the end, it would be a lot easier for you to weed out the cheaters and scammers.

So, let’s see what we have got here for you!

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Roofing contractors are the experts, and you might feel a little awkward investigating them. However, you shouldn’t forget that roofing repairs are expensive. Asking questions isn’t rude; it’s a smart move. In other words, knowing what to ask a roofing contractor can make a huge difference. 

By knowing questions to ask a roofing contractor, you can secure your investment. By simply asking the right questions, you can prevent yourself from getting scammed. Usually, a bunch of unqualified roofers appear after every storm and offer lucrative storm damage repair deals. 

In this situation, you can unleash their true potential by simply asking a few relevant questions. For instance, you can ensure proper insurance and licensing. If an uninsured roofer gets injured while fixing your roof, you would be held liable for the accident. 

Normally, a new roof lasts about 20-30 years. However, this only happens if the material used is of high quality. Besides, workmanship should be good enough to stand the test of time. The time you spend asking questions can definitely ensure peace of mind. 

Top Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring

Now, let’s dive into all the important questions to ask a roofing contractor:

Are You Licensed and Insured?

Why it matters: This is one of the non-negotiable questions to ask a roofer contractor. Having a license means that the roofers are qualified and certified to perform roofing repairs or replacements. Similarly, insurance protects you from financial stress in case of an accident on your property. 

What does a good answer look like: If the contractor is legitimate, there shouldn’t be an issue showing you their license number. Besides, providing a certificate of insurance won’t either ba an issue for a professional roofing contractor. If they make excuses, it raises red flags. 

When you ask this question to a legitimate roofing contractor, the answer would be:

“Absolutely. Here’s our license number, and you can verify it. And here is our worker’s insurance certificate with an active policy. You can verify it with our insurance company.”

How Much Experience Do You Have?

Why it matters: Roofing is a technical field where both material and experience matter. You won’t hand over your home to a company that started its operations a few months ago. They might not have enough knowledge to even install an underlayment in the valley. 

What a good answer looks like: To give you an idea, a roofer with 5+ years can be a viable option. Beware of a roofing contractor who claims to have 20 years of experience but can’t share the details of a recent project. 

If you ask how much experience you have, a good answer would be: 

“We’ve been in the roofing business since 2018, and last year we reached the landmark of doing 100 asphalt shingle roofs. Besides, here are the details of our most recent roofing projects.”

Can You Provide References or Reviews?

Why it matters: References are proof of satisfied customers who are loyal to a business. It’s easy for a roofing company to claim to be great, but you need to ask for solid proof. Past customers can give you a clear picture of a contractor’s true abilities and professionalism.

What a good answer looks like: An experienced roofing contractor will confidently share the reviews and references. If they avoid giving the credentials of their past customers for privacy reasons, don’t trust them. In most cases, these roofers don’t have happy customers at all.

If you ask, can you provide references or reviews? A reasonable answer would be:

“No worries. Here is a list of our recent customers who have agreed to share their experiences with you. You can feel free to contact any of them and ask how satisfied they are with our roofing services.” 

Do You Offer a Written Estimate?

Why it matters: Verbal estimates have no value or are simply worthless. These kinds of estimates usually end up causing a conflict. The dispute arises when the roofer fails to complete the task within the estimated cost. Hence, a written estimate serves as a legal document, protecting the rights of both parties.

What a good answer looks like: Never accept a quote or estimated cost of a roofing project on a text message or a business card. A professional contractor will always offer a written estimate using a tailored template.

A good answer looks like this:

“Yes, we will offer you written estimates before actually starting the project. You would also receive an email as a digital copy.” 

What Does the Roofing Estimate Include?

Why it matters: This is one of the most crucial roofing estimate questions. Even if a roofer offers you a written estimate, beware of the hidden fees. A low estimate usually looks promising, but it often doesn’t include services like disposal costs, tear-off fees, or new underlayment. If not checked thoroughly, you might end up paying far more.

What a good answer looks like: The estimate should specify each and every detail to make things clear. These include:

• Brand and type of shingles, other than just mentioning ‘architectural shingles’.
• Must disclose the underlayment material, like “synthetic felt 30lb”.
• Share information about the flashing, i.e., chimney, valley, pipe boots.
• Include roof inspection, disposal, and tear-off fees. 
• Should include a cleanup and a magnet sweep.

Pro Tip: If the estimated cost is just a vague number without any details, it’s better to walk away.

Do You Offer a Warranty?

Why it matters: This is among the top questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor. This is so, as even experienced roofers can make errors. If it happens, a warranty serves as your protective cover. Usually, they offer two types of warranties, including workmanship warranty and manufacturer’s warranty. Both of these ensure peace of mind.

What a good answer looks like: The warranty should be in writing. Also, stay vigilant when a roofer offers a “lifetime warranty” but doesn’t offer clear details. If the warranty only covers roofing materials and not the workmanship, it won’t be considered a viable warranty. 

The answer to this question should be:

“We offer a manufacturer’s 30-year shingle warranty and 10-year workmanship warranty. If your roof fails to perform its job due to some installation issue, we will fix it at no additional cost”. 

How Long Will the Project Take?

Why it matters: Asking about the timeline is among the key roofing contractor questions. The deadline should be realistic, as a major roof replacement job can disrupt your life. For instance, you need to bear noise, debris, and occasional weather exposure. So, don’t fall prey to unrealistic timelines. 

What a good answer looks like: The timeline should be in writing, including a contingency plan for “rain delay”. If anyone says “One Day” for repairing a complex roof with multiple skylights and steep slopes, it’s a timeline far from reality.

Here is a perfect answer to this question: 

“For an average home (2,000 sq ft), roof repair usually takes 4 to 5 days, depending on the weather conditions. During the night, the roof will stay covered with a tarp to protect your home’s interior from rain damage.” 

Do You Work With Insurance Claims?

Why it matters: If you have hail or storm damage, it’s most likely to be covered by your insurance. However, working with an insurer isn’t an easy task. Therefore, only expert roofing contractors can offer insurance claim assistance.

What a good answer looks like: Be careful if a roofer makes false claims of getting your deductibles waived. To start with, it’s not even legal in most states. A good roofer helps you receive an insurance claim without causing any trouble.

“Yes, we are capable of helping our clients by handling their insurance claims. We’ll help document damage, meet the insurance representative, and provide further guidance whenever required. We do most of the paperwork.” 

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Once you know what questions to ask a roofing contractor​, the next step is to look for the common signs to avoid. For instance, if it looks too good and the roofing company is offering something beyond their capabilities, it’s better to pass it. 

Here are the most prominent red flags to watch out for:

No written contract: If they don’t settle for a written contract, it’s very likely that they won’t stick to the plan. In this scenario, avoid hiring a roofing contractor and protect yourself from a future dispute.

High-pressure sales: Usually, roofers offer a highly competitive price that lasts only for one day. “This is the price if you sign today,” or “Your roof will collapse soon, make a quick decision.” Professional roofing contractors don’t create panic; they let you think and decide without creating a sense of urgency.

No license or insurance: It’s one of the most obvious and easy-to-detect red flags. If the contractor doesn’t have a license or insurance, there’s no need to even ask for an estimate. The earlier you end the discussion with such a roofing contractor, the better. 

Large upfront payments: If the contractor asks for an upfront payment exceeding 30%, it should raise suspicions. Don’t even think about it unless the roofing material has arrived at the job site. For the record, make sure to use a check or a credit card for even the smallest payment.

Requesting you pay your insurance deductible: This is considered insurance fraud, and avoiding it is the simplest way out. If a roofer requests you to pay the insurance deductible, just stop the discussion right away.

Out-of-state phone number or temporary address: Storm-chasers don’t have a local address. To make things clear, ask them a simple question: “Can I visit your local office. If they present themselves as a mobile roofing service or give you only a P.O. box, it’s better to avoid them.

Tips for Hiring a Roofing Contractor (Quick Checklist)

In addition to sharing the top questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor, we have also listed pro tips. These include:

• Go ahead and verify your roofer’s state license number via an online platform.
• Verify the certificate of insurance by calling the insurance provider.
• For a fair comparison, get your hands on at least 3 written estimates.
• Check platforms like Yelp, Google, and BBB for the local and most recent reviews.
• You should ask your contractor for at least 3 local references.
• Always demand a detailed timeline, including aspects like cleanup and rain delays.
• Ask for both the workmanship and manufacturer’s warranties in writing.
• The contract must include a “right to cancel” clause to stop the work if you aren’t satisfied.
• Don’t pay an initial deposit exceeding 30%.
• Get a signed lien waiver once the project is complete and the roofing contractor is all set to leave your home. This will prevent the suppliers from putting a lien on your home.

Before you make a decision, follow these pro tips and learn how to choose a roofing contractor.

How to Choose the Right Roofing Contractor

If you’re not sure how to choose a true professional roofer, this ‘hiring a roofing contractor checklist’ gives a clear roadmap. Besides, it will also help you choose the best if there is more than one candidate in your bucket.

Compare Multiple Quotes

The cheapest quote usually means skipped steps or low-quality materials. On the contrary, an expensive estimate doesn’t even guarantee the use of high-end materials and exceptional craftsmanship. The best option is to search for a quote that is close to the industry average and provides detailed information. 

Prioritize Communication and Transparency

Prefer a contractor with better communication skills. In addition, transparency is another indication that you are dealing with a legitimate roofing contractor. Look for a few signs such as:

• Easy to connect with and respond to your calls quickly.
• Thoroughly explain the process without any sense of urgency. 
• They provide transparent estimates without any hidden fees. 
• Doesn’t ask for a large upfront payment. 

Check Local Reputation Beyond Reviews

Sometimes, companies buy reviews to make them look reliable and professional. To avoid this, it’s advisable to call local suppliers that offer roofing materials to contractors. This would help you obtain reliable information about a roofing contractor’s behavior and reputation. 

You can ask which contractor uses high-quality roofing materials and which is reputed to pay their bills on time. In addition, you can also seek a sufficient amount of credible information by asking some questions to your home insurance company.

Final Words

Hiring a roofing contractor shouldn’t be a gamble but a well-planned journey. It’s true that there are scammers out there offering nothing but poor workmanship. However, when you know what questions to ask a roofing contractor, you can be on the safe side. 

It not only allows you to negotiate better but also prevents you from being an easy prey. With the most relevant questions in mind, you are now an informed homeowner. So, be confident and ask your roofing contractor about things like licensing, hidden fees, warranties, and insurance claims.

Your roof deserves better protection and professional care. Therefore, it’s essential to look for a roofing contractor with ample experience and a good reputation. Even if it takes considerable time to find a professional roofer, it’s worth the effort. 

We hope to have done justice with our topic ‘Top questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor’. For further information on roofing repairs or to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us.