Questions to ask a roofer before you hire
A short, direct set of questions can tell you more about a roofer than an hour of sales pitch. Bring this list to any estimate appointment — a legitimate contractor will answer every one of these without hesitation.
1. "What's your license number, and what state or local authority issued it?"
A real contractor knows this number and can give it to you immediately. You can typically look up the license status yourself through your state's licensing board to confirm it's active and in good standing. See our guide on why licensed and insured matters for why this is worth checking.
2. "Can I see a current certificate of insurance?"
Ask specifically for proof of general liability insurance, and workers' compensation if they'll have a crew on your property. A legitimate company can produce this without delay — it's a standard document their insurer issues them.
3. "Can I get the estimate in writing, with materials specified?"
A written estimate should specify the material and grade (not just "shingles"), the approximate square footage, what's included (tear-off, disposal, decking inspection), and the total cost. Verbal-only quotes are hard to hold anyone to later.
4. "What warranty comes with this job — on materials and on labor?"
These are two separate things. The manufacturer's warranty covers the materials themselves; a workmanship warranty from the contractor covers their installation labor. Ask how long each lasts and what would void them.
5. "What's the expected timeline, and what happens with weather delays?"
Roofing is weather-dependent work. A reasonable contractor can give you a general timeframe and will explain how they handle delays rather than promising an unrealistic hard date.
6. "Do you pull permits, and who handles inspections?"
For jobs that require a permit, ask whether the contractor handles the permit process themselves. This is usually a sign of an established, above-board business.
7. "Can I see examples of similar work you've completed nearby, or speak with a past customer?"
A roofer with a real local history should be able to point you to completed work or provide a reference. Be more cautious with a company that can't offer any local track record at all.
8. "What's the payment schedule?"
Ask when payments are due and what percentage is expected upfront versus on completion. Compare this against what you learned in our guide on how to spot a bad roofer — a demand for full payment upfront is a red flag.
9. "Who's my point of contact if something comes up after the job is done?"
Get a name and direct contact information, not just a general office line. This matters if you notice an issue weeks or months after the work wraps up.
Bringing it together
You don't need to interrogate every roofer who gives you an estimate — but a contractor who answers these questions clearly and without pushback is showing you something real about how they run their business. That's exactly the standard we hold roofers to before we ever put them on our list. Grab our free guide below for a printable version of this checklist.