7 Questions to Ask a Roofer Before You Sign

I’ve been on the other side of this table for a long time, and these are the questions I’d ask if I were hiring someone to roof my own house.

1. Who will actually be on my roof?

Some companies sell the job and hand it to whoever is available. Ask whether the crew works for the company regularly, who the foreman will be, and whether an owner or manager will check the work. At our company, I schedule every residential job myself and I know every crew by name.

2. Are you insured, and can I see it?

Two things: general liability and workers compensation. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn’t carry workers comp, that can become your problem. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their insurance agent.

3. How long have you operated under this name?

A long track record under one name is the best predictor that the company will still be around when you need warranty help. Companies that change names every few years are usually leaving something behind. Brian King Roofing has operated under the same name since 1991.

4. What does the warranty cover, and who backs it?

There are usually two warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials, and the contractor’s warranty on the workmanship. Ask about both. Ask what the workmanship warranty covers, for how long, and what it excludes. Ask whether the contractor’s certification level affects the manufacturer warranty. Certified contractors can often offer enhanced manufacturer coverage that others can’t.

5. What happens if you find rotten decking?

You often can’t see decking damage until the old roof comes off. Ask how the contractor handles it, what it costs per sheet, and whether they’ll show you the bad wood before they replace it. A clear answer here tells you a lot about how they handle surprises.

6. How does payment work?

Get the schedule in writing. A deposit for materials is normal on larger jobs. Paying the entire amount before anyone shows up is not.

7. Who do I call if there’s a problem in a year?

Ask for a name, not a department. Then ask yourself whether you believe that person will pick up. The answer to this question is really the answer to whether you should hire them.

One more thing

Pay attention to how they treat your questions. If a roofer gets impatient while you’re asking about insurance and warranties, imagine how that conversation goes after they’ve been paid.

If you’d like to ask me any of these, the office number is on the contact page.