Before you hire a roofer, verify their license where required, confirm current liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and get a detailed written proposal and contract. Ask the questions below, check the answers independently, and compare bids by scope, materials, schedule, payment terms, supervision, and warranty—not price alone.
This guidance is U.S.-oriented. Licensing, permits, deposits, contract rules, and cancellation rights vary by state and locality, so confirm requirements with the authority where your project is located.
Verify the roofer’s credentials and track record
Start with the company and the people who will perform the work. A confident answer is not proof by itself: ask for documentation and verify it with the relevant authority or insurer.
- “Are you licensed for roofing work here? What is your license number?” Licensing rules vary. Check the number with your state or local licensing authority and confirm that the license covers the work you are hiring them to do. The Federal Trade Commission’s home-improvement guidance recommends checking required credentials.
- “Can you provide current proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation?” Ask whether both policies will remain in force throughout the project. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends confirming insurance coverage; see its contractor-selection guidance.
- “Can I speak with recent customers and see examples of completed roofing work?” Contact references rather than relying only on a list of names. Ask whether the work was completed as agreed and whether issues were addressed. NRCA also recommends checking references.
- “Where is your permanent place of business, and what is the best number to reach you?” NRCA advises checking for a permanent business location, phone number, tax identification number, and required business license.
- “Have complaints been filed, and where can I check?” Ask where to verify complaints, then consult local consumer-protection officials and the local Better Business Bureau. Treat online reviews as one piece of information, not a substitute for verification.
Clarify exactly what the job includes
Ask the roofer to translate the proposed work into a written scope that you can understand and compare with other bids. The proposal should specify the planned work, materials, and relevant specifications—not just a general promise to replace or repair the roof.
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- “What exactly will you do, and what work or materials are excluded?” Ask for the full scope and exclusions in writing so you know what is and is not part of the price.
- “Which materials and specifications are included?” Have the proposal identify the planned materials and specifications clearly enough to compare with competing proposals.
- “Who is responsible if the roofing work damages my property?” Ask for responsibility for damage caused by the work to be addressed in the contract.
NRCA’s roofing resources emphasize comparing the work and specifications described in proposals, and making sure the contract addresses responsibility for damage resulting from the work.
Ask about schedule, supervision, and quality checks
- “What are the estimated start and completion dates?” Put both dates in the proposal and contract. They are estimates, but having them in writing makes the expected schedule clear.
- “Who will supervise the project, and how can I reach that person?” Identify the person responsible for overseeing the work rather than assuming the person who prepared the bid will be on site.
- “How many workers should be on site, and how do you check the quality of the work?” Ask the contractor to explain crew presence and quality-control procedures.
NRCA recommends asking about project supervision, the supervisor, crew presence, and quality-control procedures. Include the agreed arrangements in the written proposal or contract where appropriate.
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Compare bids by what they promise
Get multiple written estimates and compare their contents side by side. A low total can reflect a different scope or materials; it is not, by itself, proof of poor work. If one proposal is substantially cheaper or more expensive, ask the roofer to explain the difference.
| Compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Scope and specifications | Are the same areas of the roof and the same work included? Are exclusions explicit? |
| Materials | Do the proposals specify the materials and relevant specifications, or leave them unclear? |
| Schedule | Are estimated start and completion dates stated? |
| Supervision and quality | Is the supervisor identified, and does the roofer explain how work quality is checked? |
| Payment procedures | Are payment terms and the events that trigger payments written down? |
| Warranty | Are the warranty terms stated, and can the contractor explain conditions that could void coverage? |
| Verification | Can you check the license where required, current insurance, and references? |
| Price | Does the total make sense in light of what is included? Ask about substantial differences rather than selecting by total alone. |
Roofing costs can vary with materials, home size, location, local labor rates, and season, according to the FTC and NRCA. See the FTC’s home-improvement guidance and NRCA’s roofing resources.
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Read the written contract before signing
Do not rely on a conversation or a proposal alone when the contract is what will govern the job. Check that the written agreement captures the terms you expect and that you understand what you are accepting.
- Confirm the parties’ names and contact information, and the contractor’s license number if applicable.
- Check that the scope, materials, costs, dates, and payment procedures match the proposal and discussions.
- Make sure every promise you are relying on appears in the agreement.
- Fill in all blank spaces before signing; do not sign an incomplete document.
- Read the warranty and ask what conditions could void it.
- If financing is offered, review the lender and terms independently. Do not sign blank or unread financing documents.
The FTC notes that a written cancellation statement is required for qualifying contracts signed in the home or away from the seller’s permanent place of business; its guidance describes a three-business-day cancellation period for those qualifying transactions. Whether that rule applies to your contract, and what other contract requirements apply, depends on the circumstances and local law. Check the FTC’s guidance and your state or local consumer-protection authority.
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Agree on payment terms without taking avoidable risks
Ask, “What is the payment schedule, and what event triggers each payment?” Make the procedures and terms part of the written agreement. Do not pay the full amount upfront or make the final payment before the work is complete and you are satisfied with it. Deposit limits and other payment rules vary by location, so check local requirements.
Be cautious if a roofer demands cash only, presses for immediate payment, or asks you to sign over an insurance check. The FTC advises consumers not to sign an insurance check over to a contractor. Read the FTC’s home-improvement scam guidance for more on payment and contract precautions.
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If the work follows storm damage
Storm damage can make a repair feel urgent, but urgency is not a reason to skip checks. Verify the contractor’s credentials and insurance yourself, get multiple written estimates, and insist on a written contract. Review what your homeowners insurance actually covers rather than relying on a contractor’s interpretation.
The FTC warns about unsolicited contractors who say they are “in the area,” claims of leftover materials, immediate-decision pressure, full upfront payment, cash-only demands, and contractor-selected financing. Do not sign over an insurance check or sign a document you have not read. See the FTC’s guidance on scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters.
Warning signs to take seriously
- The roofer will not provide a required license number, proof of insurance, references, or a written contract.
- They demand that you decide immediately or claim the offer depends on using leftover materials.
- They want full payment upfront, insist on cash only, or pressure you to use a lender they select.
- They ask you to sign a blank or unread document, or leave blank spaces in a contract.
- They will not explain what the work includes, what is excluded, or how the proposed price differs from other bids.
These warning signs are consistent with examples in the FTC’s home-improvement scam guidance and its post-disaster scam guidance.
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