How to find a good roofer (and what to ask before you hire)
Roofs tend to become urgent right after a storm, which is exactly when the door-knockers show up. Here’s how to find a roofer you can trust, and what to check before you sign.
Ask friends and neighbors which roofer they used and whether they’d hire them again. Choose a local company with an address you can visit, confirm insurance, get a detailed written estimate, and ask for lien waivers when you pay.
Start with people you trust
A roof is a big, infrequent purchase, so most people don’t have a roofer in mind. Neighbors who replaced theirs in the last few years are the best place to start. Ask whether the crew showed up when promised, cleaned up the nails, and handled problems after the job.
Be careful after a storm
After hail or high winds, crews often go door to door offering free inspections. Some are fine. Others are out-of-town outfits that may be gone by the time a leak shows up. You can say no, call a local roofer you’ve vetted, and contact your insurance company yourself.
Read anything you sign carefully, especially on the spot. Some contracts give the roofer control over your insurance claim.
What to check before you hire
- A license or registrationSome states license roofers and some don’t. Your local building department can tell you what’s required where you live.
- Insurance, including workers’ compAsk for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If someone gets hurt on your roof, you don’t want that to be your problem.
- A local track recordA local address and years of work in your area mean they’ll be around to honor the warranty.
- A detailed written estimateIt should say whether they’re tearing off the old roof or going over it, plus the materials, flashing and ventilation work, cleanup, and the total price.
- Both warrantiesShingles carry a manufacturer’s warranty; the installation needs the roofer’s own workmanship warranty. Get both in writing.
Questions to ask a roofer
- How long have you worked in this area? Where’s your office?
- Are you licensed and insured, including workers’ comp? Can you send proof?
- Will you tear off the old roof or go over it, and why?
- What’s included: underlayment, flashing, vents, cleanup, disposal?
- What’s your workmanship warranty, and how long does it last?
- Will you pull the permit?
- Who will be on site running the job?
- Will you give me lien waivers when I pay?
Red flags
- They knocked on your door right after a storm and want you to sign today.
- They offer to cover or “waive” your insurance deductible. That can be insurance fraud, and some states ban it outright.
- They want a large deposit before any materials arrive.
- They have no local address, or won’t put the job in a written contract.
- They can’t show proof of insurance.
Your neighbors have already found a good roofer. See who they used.
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Start my listCommon questions
How do I find a good roofer?
Ask friends and neighbors who recently had roof work done and would hire the same company again. Choose a local roofer, confirm insurance, and get a detailed written estimate and warranty.
Should I let the roofer handle my insurance claim?
File the claim with your insurance company yourself. A good roofer can meet the adjuster and document damage, but be careful with contracts that give the roofer control over the claim.
How many roofing quotes should I get?
Two or three written quotes is a good rule. Compare tear-off versus overlay, materials, what’s included, and both warranties, not just the price.
What is a lien waiver?
A document confirming that the roofer, and the suppliers they used, have been paid for your job. It helps protect you from claims against your home if the roofer doesn’t pay their suppliers.