Choose a roofer by checking credentials and insurance, comparing written bids with the same scope, and signing a complete contract. Before final payment, match the completed work to that contract, resolve unfinished items in writing, and confirm any required local inspection or permit sign-off. Licensing, permits, payment limits, and cancellation rules vary by location and project.
How to compare roofing contractors
Do not choose on price alone. Ask several contractors for written estimates that describe comparable work and materials, then investigate any unusually low bid for omitted tasks, lower-grade materials, or unclear exclusions.
| What to compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Identity and license | Confirm the business identity and check any required license with the state or county authority that regulates the work where the home is located. |
| Insurance | Request proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) advises verifying liability coverage with the insurer. NAIC: steps to avoid contractor fraud |
| Reputation | Contact references, check complaint history and reviews, and search the business name with terms such as “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” |
| Scope and materials | Compare the work to be done, specified materials, exclusions, and how concealed damage will be handled. Ask contractors to explain meaningful differences. |
| Schedule and payment | Compare estimated start and completion dates, payment milestones, and who is responsible for permits and inspections. |
| Warranties and communication | Ask what written workmanship and product warranties apply and whether the contractor answers questions clearly. |
These checks are consistent with guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and NAIC.
What to put in the contract before work starts
Read the entire agreement, fill in every blank, and make sure it reflects promises made during the estimate. The FTC advises: “Don’t start work until you have reviewed and signed a written contract.” FTC: Home Repair Scams
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A complete contract should identify the contractor and set out:
- The specific tasks and materials, including relevant product details.
- Estimated start and completion dates.
- The total price and payment schedule.
- Who will obtain required permits and arrange inspections.
- How concealed damage, additional work, and other changes will be priced and approved.
- Any promises about scope, labor, or materials, plus applicable warranty terms.
Require written change orders for scope or price changes; a verbal agreement is not a reliable substitute. Do not sign a blank form. State and local law may set contract-language, lien-notice, or down-payment requirements. The FTC also notes that a three-business-day cancellation statement may apply to certain contracts signed at home or away from the seller’s permanent place of business; check whether it applies to your agreement and whether exceptions apply. FTC: How to Avoid a Home Improvement Scam
Check local permit and inspection requirements
Before signing, contact the building department for the property’s jurisdiction. Ask whether the project needs a permit, which inspections are required, who will request them, and what record confirms the permit is closed or the work is signed off. Requirements can depend on location and project scope.
Local examples show why a general checklist cannot replace a local answer: Orlando requires an in-progress inspection and a final affidavit for specified reroof work, while Arvada describes its own reroof permit and final-inspection process. These are examples for those jurisdictions, not nationwide rules. Orlando residential roof permit · Arvada reroofing requirements
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Keep useful records while the roof is being installed
Keep the signed contract, approved change orders, permit number, inspection schedule, payment records, and project communications together. Ask the contractor to notify you before work conceals materials or details that an inspector may need to see. Progress photos can help document work, but they do not replace required official inspections.
Never climb onto the roof to check workmanship. If you are concerned about concealed or technical details, use the building department’s inspection process or hire an independent qualified professional. Local inspection guidance identifies installation, flashing at penetrations and roof-to-wall junctions, applicable code, and manufacturer requirements as examples of matters an inspector may check. Missoula County roofing permit and inspection guide
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What to verify before final payment
- Walk through the written scope. Compare the work you can safely observe with the contract and approved changes. Record incomplete, damaged, or disputed items in writing and agree on a date for corrections.
- Confirm official sign-off. Check that required inspections have passed and that the permit record is closed or signed off under the local authority’s process.
- Collect closeout documents. Request the final invoice and receipt, applicable product and workmanship warranty documents, and records of approved changes.
- Pay traceably and retain proof. Do not pay the entire amount upfront. Use a payment method that creates a record, keep receipts, and do not sign a completion acknowledgment or release while work remains incomplete or disputed.
The FTC’s guidance is direct: “Never make the final payment until the work is done and you’re satisfied.” FTC: avoiding scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the roof repair involves an insurance claim
Contact your insurer about coverage and the claim, and compare the contractor’s scope and invoice with the insurer’s approved claim documents. Read any assignment-of-benefits (AOB) document carefully: it can give a contractor authority to handle the claim and collect payment. NAIC says homeowners are not required to sign an AOB to have repairs done. NAIC: assignment of benefits
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Warning signs to take seriously
- Pressure to decide immediately or sign before you can review the paperwork.
- A blank or incomplete contract, or refusal to put scope and changes in writing.
- A demand for full payment before the work is complete.
- Requests for cash or wire transfer without a clear, documented payment record.
- Unclear answers about licensing, insurance, permits, inspections, or the work included in the price.
If something feels unclear, pause and verify it with the appropriate licensing authority, insurer, or local building department before signing or paying.
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