Ask a roofer about their licensing, insurance, warranty terms, timeline, material choices, and payment schedule before you sign anything. Getting clear answers to the right questions protects you from surprises, hidden costs, and poor workmanship. A good roofer expects these questions and answers them directly.
Is Your License Current and in Good Standing?
Every roofer working on your home should hold a valid license in your state. Ask to see it. Don't just take their word. Call your state's licensing board or check their website to verify the license is active and that there are no disciplinary actions against it. Some states require separate licenses for roofing contractors and the crews who work under them, so understand what applies where you live.
Licensing requirements vary by state and sometimes by county or city. What matters is that the person signing the contract and the people doing the work are properly licensed to do it. If a roofer hesitates to show you their license or gets defensive, that's a red flag. A professional keeps this information readily available.
What Insurance Do You Carry?
A roofer needs two types of insurance: general liability and workers' compensation. General liability covers damage to your home or property during the job. Workers' compensation covers injuries to their crew. Ask for proof of both. Get the policy numbers and the insurance company names. Call the insurance companies yourself to confirm the policies are active. Don't rely on a certificate alone.
If a roofer gets hurt on your property and isn't covered by workers' compensation, you could be liable. If their crew damages your home or a neighbor's property and they lack liability insurance, you may end up fighting for compensation. This isn't paranoia. It's how the industry works. A legitimate roofer carries both types of insurance and provides proof without hesitation.
What's Included in Your Warranty?
Warranties come in different forms and cover different things. Ask the roofer to explain what they warranty and for how long. Some warranties cover labor only. Others cover materials. Some cover both. Ask whether the warranty transfers to the next owner if you sell your home. Ask what voids the warranty. Heavy wind, hail, or lack of maintenance might not be covered.
Get the warranty terms in writing before you sign the contract. Don't accept verbal promises. Ask whether the roofer will handle warranty claims themselves or whether you'll work directly with the manufacturer. If the roofer goes out of business, will the manufacturer still honor the warranty? These details matter when something goes wrong years down the road.
How Long Will the Job Take?
Understand the timeline. Ask when the roofer can start and when they expect to finish. Ask whether weather might delay the work. Ask what happens if they run into unexpected problems, like rotted decking under the old roof. The answer depends on your roof's size and complexity, so a roofer who has assessed your home should be able to give you a reasonable estimate.
Also ask about the crew size and whether they'll be working every day or sporadically. Ask what time they'll arrive and leave. Ask about parking and how they'll protect your landscaping and driveway. A professional roofer has thought through these logistics and can give you a realistic answer. If they're vague, they haven't planned the job properly.
What Materials Are You Using?
Roof materials vary in durability, appearance, and cost. Ask the roofer which materials they're recommending and why. Ask about the lifespan of each option. Ask about maintenance requirements. Some materials need more upkeep than others. Ask whether the materials come with a manufacturer's warranty separate from the roofer's labor warranty.
If you've already decided on a material, confirm that the roofer uses that material and understands how to install it correctly. Different materials have different installation requirements. A roofer experienced with asphalt shingles might not be the best choice for metal roofing or slate. Ask about their experience with your chosen material specifically.
What's Your Payment Schedule?
Never pay the full amount upfront. Legitimate roofers ask for a deposit to cover materials and initial labor, then collect the balance when the work is complete. Ask what they want upfront and when they expect additional payments during the job. Ask what triggers the final payment. Usually, it's after inspection and your approval.
Get the payment terms in writing. Ask whether they accept checks, credit cards, or bank transfers. Ask about their cancellation policy if you need to back out before work starts. Some roofers require a deposit that's nonrefundable. Others will refund it if they cancel or if you cancel within a certain window. Understand this before you commit.
Will You Get Permits and Handle Inspections?
Roof work often requires permits and inspections depending on where you live. Ask whether the roofer obtains permits or whether you're responsible. Ask who pays for permits. Ask whether they'll schedule inspections and handle any issues the inspector finds. A roofer who has done many jobs knows the local requirements and handles this routinely.
If you're filing an insurance claim, check your own policy to understand your coverage and obligations. You can ask the roofer whether they have experience working alongside insurance adjusters and providing documentation. Knowing their familiarity with that process helps you plan, but the details of your claim are between you and your insurer.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Ask how the roofer handles problems discovered during the job, like rotted wood or structural damage. Ask whether they'll give you a separate estimate for additional work or whether it's covered under the original contract. Ask how they'll communicate with you if something unexpected comes up. Ask whether you need to approve additional work in writing before they proceed.
Also ask what happens if you're unhappy with the finished work. Ask about their process for addressing complaints. Ask whether they'll return to fix issues at no charge within a certain timeframe. Get the answer in writing as part of your contract.
What References Can You Provide?
Ask for references from recent jobs in your area. A good roofer has customers willing to talk about their experience. Call these references. Ask whether the work was completed on time and on budget. Ask whether the roofer cleaned up after the job. Ask whether they'd hire the same roofer again. Ask whether any issues came up after the work was done.
Don't just accept a list of names. Call them. Speak to actual homeowners. This takes time, but it's worth it. You're about to spend significant money and have someone work on your home for days. Knowing that other homeowners had a good experience gives you confidence.
Get Everything in Writing
Before you sign, make sure your contract includes the scope of work, materials, timeline, payment schedule, warranty terms, and insurance information. Read the entire contract. Ask about anything you don't understand. Don't sign if something feels off or if the roofer won't answer your questions clearly.
Use RoofEstimator.ai to get a preliminary price range for your roof before you talk to roofers. This gives you a baseline so you can compare quotes and spot outliers. You can also build a Roof Profile, use the quote comparison feature to organize estimates side by side, and ask the AI Roof Advisor questions about what you're seeing.
Remember that all estimates are preliminary. A technician will confirm the actual condition of your roof before any price is final. This is when the roofer can identify issues like rotted decking or structural problems that might affect the final cost.
About RoofEstimator.ai
RoofEstimator.ai is a free tool that measures your roof from satellite imagery and shows a preliminary price range for replacement. You can build a Roof Profile, compare quotes you've received from roofers, and ask an AI Roof Advisor questions about your roof and the estimates you're considering. The tool never contacts you unless you request it.