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Hiring a roofer: what to ask before anyone touches the roof

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The best protection when hiring a roofer is a scope of work written on paper, in plain words, before any shingle comes off.

If you are hiring a roofer, the short version is this: get the scope in writing, check the license your state requires, and ask who pulls the permit. A roofer who answers those three questions clearly is usually easier to work with than one who does not.

Start with what you actually know

Before you call anyone, write down what you saw. Where the stain is, when it shows up, what the attic looks like with a flashlight. Whoever you hire will hear that description first, and a specific one is harder to talk past than "I think the roof is old." Keep your feet on the ground or on a ladder at the eave while you look. Nothing in this list needs you on the roof.

Get more than one opinion on the diagnosis

Two roofers looking at the same roof should agree on what is wrong, even if they disagree on how to fix it. If one says repair and another says full replacement, ask each to point at the evidence. A good roofer shows you photos of the damaged area or walks you through it from the ground. A weak answer is a general claim about age with no specifics.

Ask these questions in order

  • Are you licensed or registered for roofing in this state, and can I look up the number?
  • Who pulls the permit, and will it be in the contract?
  • What exactly is included: tear-off, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, cleanup?
  • What happens to rotted decking if you find it once the old roofing is off?
  • Who will be on the roof, your own crew or a subcontractor?
  • What written warranty do you give on the workmanship, separate from the manufacturer's?

Licensing rules differ from state to state. Some states license roofers directly, others require a general contractor license or only a local registration. Check with your state contractor licensing board rather than trusting a number on a business card.

Read the contract like it is the only thing that counts

It is. The contract should name the materials by product line, describe the scope of work, say how hidden damage will be handled and state the payment schedule. Be wary of a demand for the full amount up front. Payment tied to stages of the work protects you if the job stalls. Anything said out loud and not written down is hard to enforce later.

Warning signs worth walking away from

Pressure to sign today. A door-to-door visit after a storm that opens with a scare about your roof. A refusal to put the scope on paper. An estimate that cannot explain what the decking repair process looks like. None of these prove bad work, but each one makes a clear written scope more important.

Why roof type changes who you call

Flat, low-slope and steep roofs do not suit every crew. If the roof is steep, ask whether the company works on steep pitches routinely and what fall protection it uses. You want that answered before the day, not during it.

The takeaway

Hiring well comes down to paper. A written scope, a named license, a stated permit plan and a workmanship warranty you can read. Take your time with the comparison. The decision matters more than the speed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I hire a roofer I can trust?

Get a written scope of work, check the license or registration your state requires, and ask who pulls the permit. Compare at least two diagnoses, not only two prices.

Do roofers need a license?

It depends on the state. Some license roofers directly, others require a general contractor license or only a local registration. Your state contractor licensing board can tell you.

Should I pay a roofer up front?

Be cautious about paying the full amount before work starts. Payments tied to stages of the job protect you if the work stalls.

What should a roofing contract include?

The materials by product line, the full scope of work, how hidden damage will be handled, who pulls the permit, the payment schedule and the workmanship warranty.

What are warning signs when hiring a roofer?

Pressure to sign the same day, a refusal to write the scope down, and a door-to-door pitch that starts with a scare about your roof.

Sources

What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.

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