Questions to Ask a Roofer Before You Sign Anything

Start here: licensing and insurance

These two questions matter more than any others on this list. If a roofer hesitates on either, stop the conversation — everything else is negotiable, this isn't.

1. Are you licensed for roofing in my state, and what's the license number?

Why it matters: license requirements for roofing vary a lot by state and sometimes by county, and an unlicensed roofer can leave you with no recourse if the job goes wrong. A license number lets you verify the license is active, matches the trade, and isn't suspended.

Good answer: they give you the number without prompting, and it's for roofing specifically (not a general contractor license that doesn't cover the trade in your state).

2. Do you carry general liability and workers'-comp insurance — can I see current certificates?

Why it matters: general liability covers damage to your house (a ladder through a window, a fire from a torch-down application). Workers'-comp covers an injured worker's medical bills — without it, an injury on your roof can become your liability. Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI), not just a verbal yes.

Good answer: they send a COI listing you or your address, with both coverages current (not expired), from an insurer you can actually call to confirm the policy is active.

3. Will your own crew do the work, or subcontractors — and are the subs covered too?

Why it matters: many roofing companies sell the job then hand it to a subcontracted crew. That's common and not automatically a problem, but the subcontractor's insurance is what actually protects you if something goes wrong on your roof — the general contractor's policy doesn't always extend to them.

Good answer: a straight answer either way, plus proof that whoever is physically on your roof — employee or sub — is covered by liability and workers'-comp.

Scope: what's actually included

4. What's included — tear-off of the old roof, disposal, permits, decking inspection?

Why it matters: "roof replacement" means different things to different companies. Some quotes assume you'll pay extra for haul-away, permit fees, or replacing rotten decking found underneath. You want that spelled out before you compare prices, not after.

Good answer: a line-by-line list — tear-off, dump/disposal, permit, decking inspection and replacement terms — with nothing left as "TBD."

5. Overlay or full tear-off, and why?

Why it matters: an overlay (new shingles over old) is cheaper and faster, but it can trap moisture, hide existing damage, and isn't allowed everywhere or on every roof. A full tear-off costs more but lets the crew inspect and fix the decking underneath.

Good answer: they explain which one fits your roof's condition and local code, not just which one is cheaper for them to do.

6. Can I get a written, itemized estimate with the scope spelled out?

Why it matters: a verbal price isn't a contract. An itemized estimate — materials, labor, disposal, permit, warranty terms — is what you'll hold them to, and it's the only way to compare two roofers on an apples-to-apples basis.

Good answer: a written document, not a text message, that breaks out materials and labor separately.

Money and change orders

7. How do you handle hidden damage or change orders?

Why it matters: rotten decking, hidden leaks, and old damage are common discoveries once the old roof comes off. That's normal. What's not normal is an open-ended change order with no ceiling. Ask for a not-to-exceed number in writing before work starts.

Good answer: they explain their per-sheet or per-hour rate for extra decking work upfront, and agree to call you with photos and a price before doing anything beyond the original scope.

8. What's the payment schedule?

Why it matters: a large upfront deposit is one of the clearest warning signs in roofing. It's the mechanism behind most contractor-disappears stories. A schedule tied to completed work protects you if the company stops showing up.

Good answer: a modest deposit (if any), with the bulk of payment due at milestones — materials delivered, tear-off complete, final inspection passed — not all upfront.

Warranties, permits, and the job itself

9. What warranties apply — workmanship vs. manufacturer — and for how long?

Why it matters: these are two separate things. The manufacturer's warranty covers defective shingles or materials. The workmanship warranty covers the roofer's own installation errors — and it's only as good as the company's likelihood of still being around to honor it.

Good answer: both warranties named explicitly, in writing, with their length and what voids them.

10. Who pulls the permit?

Why it matters: permits trigger an independent inspection of the work, which protects you. A roofer who skips the permit to save time or money is skipping the one outside check on their own work.

Good answer: the roofer pulls the permit under their own license, not yours, and includes it in the estimate.

11. How long will the job take, and what's the cleanup plan?

Why it matters: roofing produces a lot of debris — nails, shingle fragments, packaging — and a vague answer here often predicts a messy jobsite. A magnetic nail sweep should be standard, not an upsell.

Good answer: a realistic timeframe (with a note on weather delays) and a specific answer on daily cleanup and a final magnetic sweep for nails.

You don't have to run through all eleven questions alone, and you don't have to take a roofer's word for the answers. HomeDependable checks the license, verifies the insurance is current, and reviews the complaint history before we ever recommend a company — see our vetting standard for exactly what we confirm. If you're also comparing platforms, is Angi legit covers how the marketplace model differs from what we do.