Look, I’ve been in the roofing business for over a decade now.
I’ve seen homeowners get burned, I’ve seen perfect jobs, and I’ve seen everything in between.
Here’s what I want you to understand right from the start: your roof is probably the most expensive part of your house to replace.
We’re talking $10,000, $15,000, sometimes $30,000 depending on your home.
And yet, I watch people spend more time researching a $500 phone than they do vetting the person who’s going to be responsible for keeping water out of their house.
This isn’t a sales pitch. I’m not here to scare you or to sell you anything.
What I am going to do is walk you through exactly how I would choose a roofing contractor if I were in your shoes.
These are the things I look for, the red flags I watch out for, and the questions I ask that separate the professionals from the guys who are just trying to make a quick buck.
Trust me on this—spend 20 minutes reading what I’m about to share, and you’ll save yourself years of headaches and potentially thousands of dollars in repairs.
9 Ways To Choose The Right Roofing Professional For Your Home
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
First thing. Before you even talk price, before you look at their truck, before anything—you need to see their license and insurance.
Now, I know some states don’t require roofing licenses.
Texas doesn’t. Indiana has this weird thing where you need a general contractor license instead of a specific roofing license. But here’s the thing: even in states where it’s not required, good contractors still get licensed.
Why? Because it shows they care enough to go through the process.
When I got my Florida contractor license, I had to sit through a six-and-a-half-hour exam. Was it fun? No. But it meant I actually had to know what I was doing.
It meant I couldn’t just wing it and hope for the best.
Ask to see their contractor license number. Write it down.
Go online and verify it’s active. Most states have a database you can search. Takes five minutes.
Insurance is even more critical. You need to see two things: general liability and workers’ compensation.
General liability covers damage to your property. Workers’ comp covers their crew if someone gets hurt on your roof.
Here’s a story that’ll stick with me forever.
Neighbor of mine hired a cheap crew, didn’t verify insurance.
Guy fell off the roof, broke his leg. Guess who got sued? The homeowner.
The contractor didn’t have workers’ comp, so the injured worker went after the property owner. Legal fees alone were over $40,000.
Don’t just ask if they have insurance. Ask for certificates.
Call the insurance company to verify they’re current.
I know it sounds paranoid, but I’ve seen fake insurance certificates. They’re not hard to make if someone’s willing to lie to you.
Check Local Experience and Reputation
There’s something about local contractors that matters more than people realize.
A roofer who’s been working in your area for five, ten, fifteen years—they know things.
They know which products hold up in your climate. They know the building inspectors. They know the suppliers.
Working with an experienced Pittsburgh roofing company means hiring professionals who are familiar with regional weather patterns, local building codes, and the right roofing systems for Western Pennsylvania homes.
Someone from three states over? They might be great at what they do, but they don’t know your weather.
They don’t know that your area gets heavy snow loads or that you’re in a high-wind zone or whatever specific challenge your region faces.
Check their reputation locally. Not just online reviews—though those matter—but ask around. Go to your local building supply store and ask who they recommend.
Those guys see every contractor in town. They know who pays their bills, who does quality work, who cuts corners.
I love when homeowners call references, but here’s a trick: don’t just call the three references they give you. Ask for their last ten jobs. Ask for addresses. Drive by those houses.
See if the roofs look good three, five years later. Knock on a door if you’re brave enough. Most homeowners are happy to talk about their experience.
Look for Manufacturer Certifications
This one separates the serious contractors from the rest.
Most major shingle manufacturers—GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning—they all have certification programs. To get certified, contractors have to go through training.
They have to prove they know the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
They have to maintain certain standards.
It costs money to get certified. It takes time. Contractors who do it anyway? They’re telling you something about how they run their business.
I go to manufacturer training every year. Sometimes twice a year. You know what amazes me? I sit in rooms with 100 or 150 installers, and when they give the test at the end, maybe half pass.
These are guys who’ve been installing shingles for 20 years, and they fail the basic certification test because they’ve been doing it wrong the whole time.
When a contractor shows you their manufacturer certifications, what they’re really showing you is that they care enough to stay current.
Products change. Installation methods improve. Building codes get updated. Certified contractors keep learning.
Also, certifications usually unlock better warranties for you.
A lot of manufacturers won’t give you the enhanced warranty unless a certified contractor does the installation.
So this isn’t just about the contractor’s credentials—it directly affects the protection you get on your investment.
Review Past Projects and Portfolio
Ask to see pictures. Lots of pictures.
Before, during, and after photos tell you so much.
You can see the quality of their work. You can see if they’re organized or if their job sites look like a tornado hit them. You can see the attention to detail.
When I show homeowners my portfolio, I don’t just show the finished product.
I show them the deck after we tore off the old roof.
I show them the ice and water barrier installation. I show them the flashing details around chimneys and valleys.
Why? Because that’s where quality happens. Anyone can make a finished roof look decent in a photo.
The real work is in the layers you don’t see once the job’s done.
If a contractor only has photos of completed roofs, that’s a yellow flag for me.
What are they hiding? Why won’t they show you the process?
Better yet, ask if you can visit a current job site. See them in action.
Watch how the crew works. Are they careful? Do they clean up as they go? How do they treat the homeowner’s property?
I actually encourage this. When homeowners ask to visit one of my active job sites, I love it.
It means they’re serious. It means they care. And if I’m doing everything right—which I am—it’s a great way to show off the quality of our work.
Get Detailed Written Estimates
This is where a lot of homeowners get themselves in trouble.
They get a one-page estimate that says “roof replacement” and a price. That’s it.
That tells you nothing.
A proper estimate should specify everything.
What brand of shingles? What type? What color? How many squares? What underlayment are they using? Synthetic or felt? What brand? What ice and water barrier? How many feet? What about ridge vent? What brand of flashing? How much rotted wood replacement is included in the base price?
If any of those questions aren’t answered in the estimate, you need to ask.
I’ve reviewed hundreds of estimates for homeowners who send them to me asking for advice.
You know what I see constantly? “Architectural shingles” with no brand specified. That’s a massive red flag.
There’s a huge difference between premium architectural shingles and builder-grade ones. If they’re not telling you which one you’re getting, assume it’s the cheapest option.
Here’s why this matters beyond just knowing what you’re buying.
When everything’s in writing, there’s no confusion later. If the estimate says “GAF Timberline HDZ shingles” and they show up with something else, you have documentation. You have leverage.
Also, get at least three estimates.
I know that’s standard advice, but people skip it because they get tired of the process. Don’t. The first estimate might sound good until you see what else is out there.
Understand Warranty Coverage
Warranties are where contractors make you feel safe while potentially giving you nothing of value.
Here’s the truth about shingle warranties: right out of the box, most shingles have a 10-year manufacturer warranty. That’s it.
All those claims about “lifetime warranties” and “50-year protection”? That’s enhanced warranty coverage, and it only applies if specific conditions are met.
Most manufacturers require you to use at least three of their accessories—underlayment, starter strips, ridge cap shingles, whatever—to qualify for the enhanced warranty.
They also usually require the warranty to be registered within a certain timeframe after installation.
Ask your contractor: Are you installing a system that qualifies for the enhanced warranty? Are you going to register it? Get that in writing.
Also, understand what the warranty actually covers.
Most shingle warranties are prorated. They cover manufacturing defects, not installation problems.
If your roof leaks because the flashing wasn’t installed correctly, the shingle warranty doesn’t help you at all.
That’s why the contractor’s workmanship warranty matters just as much.
A good contractor will warranty their labor for at least five years, often ten. If they’re only offering one or two years, ask yourself why they’re not confident their work will hold up longer than that.
And here’s something most homeowners never think about: what happens if the contractor goes out of business? I’ve seen it happen so many times.
Homeowner has a leak three years after the roof was installed, calls the contractor, number’s disconnected.
If your contractor used all the manufacturer’s accessories and registered the warranty properly, at least you have the manufacturer to fall back on. If they didn’t, you’re on your own.
Evaluate Communication and Professionalism
Pay attention to how they treat you before they have your money. That’s how they’ll treat you after.
Did they show up on time for the estimate? Did they actually get on the roof to inspect it, or did they just eyeball it from the ground? Did they explain things in a way you could understand, or did they talk down to you?
When you called with questions, did they call you back? How long did it take?
These things tell you about their operation.
A contractor who’s disorganized during the sales process will be disorganized during your project.
A contractor who doesn’t return calls when they’re trying to earn your business definitely won’t return them when they’re dealing with a problem on your job.
I make it a point to answer every homeowner question, even the ones that seem basic. You’re not a roofing expert. You shouldn’t have to be. That’s what you’re hiring me for.
Red flag: high-pressure sales tactics. If a contractor is pushing you to sign today, offering a special price only if you commit right now, telling you the deal expires tomorrow—walk away.
Quality contractors don’t need to pressure you. They have enough work because they do good work.
Ask About Safety Practices
A contractor who’s serious about safety is a contractor who’s serious about their business.
Ask them: What safety equipment does your crew use? Do they use fall protection? How do they protect my property during the tear-off? What’s your safety record?
OSHA has pretty clear requirements for roofing work.
Contractors should be following them.
If they brush off safety questions or act like it’s no big deal, that tells you they’re willing to cut corners. And if they cut corners on safety, where else are they cutting corners?
I’ve seen crews working without harnesses on steep roofs. I’ve seen guys tearing off shingles without any ground protection, just letting debris fall wherever.
I’ve seen workers on roofs during thunderstorms because the contractor promised the homeowner they’d be done by Friday.
That’s not acceptable. That’s not professional.
A good contractor will have a safety plan. They’ll have insurance that covers it. They’ll train their crew on it. They’ll actually use the safety equipment.
This protects you too. If someone gets hurt on your property because the contractor wasn’t following safety protocols, you could be liable. It’s happened.
Avoid Storm Chasers and High-Pressure Sales Tactics
After every major storm, they show up. Trucks with out-of-state plates, knocking on doors, offering free inspections, promising to handle your insurance claim.
Some of them are legitimate contractors who travel to where the work is. Most of them are not.
Storm chasers are in and out. They do the work fast, collect the check, and disappear.
When you have a problem six months later, good luck finding them.
They’ll promise you they can get your deductible waived. That’s insurance fraud, by the way.
They’ll tell you your roof has damage that needs immediate replacement. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but they’re not giving you an objective opinion.
Here’s my rule: if someone knocks on your door offering roofing services, be skeptical. Not automatically dismissive, but skeptical. Ask all the same questions you’d ask any contractor.
Verify their license. Check their references. See if they have a local address or just a P.O. box.
I’m not saying never hire someone who comes to your door. I’m saying make them prove they’re legitimate before you trust them with a $20,000 project.
Conclusion
Choosing a roofing contractor doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require you to do some homework. Ask questions. Verify answers. Trust your gut.
If something feels off, it probably is. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. If a contractor is rushing you or avoiding your questions, that’s telling you something.
The right contractor will be patient with your questions.
They’ll be transparent about their process, their pricing, their products. They’ll have nothing to hide because they’re doing everything the right way.
Your roof is too important to gamble on. Take the time to choose wisely.
The extra hours you spend vetting contractors now could save you years of problems and thousands of dollars in repairs.
I’ve built my reputation on doing things right. That’s what you should expect from whoever you hire. Don’t settle for less.
