Your roof protects everything under it, so hiring the wrong crew is expensive twice — once for the bad job and again for the redo. Before you sign anything, work through this checklist.
1. Confirm licensing and insurance
Ask for the contractor's license number and proof of both liability insurance and workers' compensation. If a roofer is hurt on your property and the company isn't insured, you could be on the hook.
2. Look for local, established history
Storm-chasers roll into town after bad weather and vanish before the warranty matters. Favor pros with a verifiable local track record and a physical address.
3. Read verified reviews
Look for patterns, not just star counts — repeated mentions of clean-up, communication and on-time finishes tell you more than any single glowing review.
4. Get it in writing
A real estimate breaks out materials, labor, tear-off, disposal, permits and a timeline. Vague one-number quotes are a red flag.
5. Understand the warranty
There are two: the manufacturer's warranty on the materials and the contractor's workmanship warranty. Ask about both and how claims are handled.
6. Don't pay it all up front
A modest deposit is normal; the full balance before work starts is not. Tie payments to milestones.
7. Compare more than one quote
The cheapest bid often cuts corners on materials or skips the tear-off. Comparing several vetted pros tells you what a fair price actually looks like.