How to Choose a Roofer: 10 Things to Check Before You Hire
Updated October 3, 2026 · Editorial policy
Your roof is one of the biggest investments in your home, and the contractor you pick matters just as much as the shingles you buy. A good roofer protects your house for decades. A bad one leaves you with leaks, voided warranties, and a fight to get your money back. The short answer: hire a local roofer whose license and insurance you have checked yourself, who gives you a detailed written estimate you can compare line by line against at least two others, and who puts the warranty and payment schedule in writing. Here are the 10 things to check before you sign anything. If you’re worried a roofer isn’t being straight with you, see our companion guide on how to spot a bad roofer.
1. Look up their license and confirm their insurance
Ask for the roofer’s license number, then look it up yourself on the licensing board’s website rather than trusting a photo of a card. Rules vary a lot: some states license roofers statewide, and in other places licensing is handled by the city or county, so check with both your state and your local building department. Pick your state in our roofers near me directory for local notes, then confirm that the license is active, matches the company name on your estimate, and covers roofing work.
Next, ask for proof of two kinds of insurance: general liability and workers’ compensation. General liability covers damage to your property. Workers’ comp protects you if someone gets hurt on your roof. Without it, you could be on the hook for a serious injury. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurance agent listed on it to confirm the policy is active.
2. Make sure they are local and established
Look for a company with a real physical address, a local phone number, and a few years of history in your area. A roofer who lives down the road is far easier to reach if a problem shows up in year three. Search the business name plus your town and see what comes up. You can also find roofers near you to start with companies that actually serve your zip code.
3. Read recent reviews across several sites
Don’t stop at one star rating. Check Google, the Better Business Bureau, and similar platforms, and focus on reviews from the last 12 months. A roofer with 200 reviews from five years ago and nothing recent is a different company today. Watch how they respond to complaints. A calm, fair reply to a bad review tells you a lot.
4. Demand a detailed written estimate
A one-line price scrawled on a business card is a red flag. A real estimate lists the materials (brand, product line, and color), the scope of work, whether they are tearing off old layers or going over them, the underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and the cleanup plan. When every roofer itemizes the same way, you can actually compare apples to apples.
5. Look for manufacturer certifications
Major shingle makers like GAF and Owens Corning certify contractors who meet training and quality standards. These certified roofers can often offer stronger, longer warranties than a non-certified installer. Certification is not mandatory, but it is a good sign the crew knows how to install the product correctly.
6. Get a real workmanship warranty
There are two warranties on a roof. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles. The workmanship warranty covers the contractor’s installation, and it is the one that matters most. A solid roofer stands behind their labor for several years in writing. If installation fails, that is what protects you.
7. Watch the deposit and payment terms
Be cautious of anyone demanding a large upfront payment before work starts. A reasonable deposit covers materials, but you should never pay the full amount before the job is done. Get the payment schedule in writing, tied to milestones, with a final payment due only after you have inspected the finished roof and the site is cleaned up.
8. Put everything in writing
Verbal promises disappear when there is a dispute. The contract should spell out the materials, total price, start and finish dates, warranty terms, payment schedule, and cleanup, including hauling away old shingles and running a magnet for stray nails. If a roofer resists putting a promise on paper, treat that as your answer.
9. Compare at least three quotes, line by line
Get three written quotes before deciding. Comparing only the totals is a mistake, because two quotes can differ by thousands of dollars simply because they cover different work. Put the quotes side by side and check that each one includes the same items:
| Line item | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Roof size | Number of squares (100 sq ft each) measured |
| Tear-off | How many layers come off, and disposal |
| Shingles or panels | Brand, product line and color |
| Underlayment | Type, plus ice and water shield where needed |
| Flashing and drip edge | New metal or reused |
| Ventilation | Ridge, soffit or other vents included |
| Decking | Price per sheet if rotten wood is found |
| Permit and cleanup | Who pulls the permit, dumpster, nail sweep |
| Warranty | Workmanship years and manufacturer coverage |
| Payment | Deposit amount and schedule |
If one quote is far lower, find the missing line. The lowest bid often leaves out tear-off, flashing or decking, which then shows up later as an add-on. The highest is not automatically the best. Our roof replacement cost guide shows what typical jobs cost so you can spot a quote that’s way out of range.
10. Beware storm-chasers and door knockers
After a big storm, out-of-town crews flood neighborhoods knocking on doors and pushing you to sign on the spot. Slow down, stick with companies you can verify, and if you suspect damage, get an independent roof inspection first. Our guide on how to spot a bad roofer covers the 12 red flags, including deductible waivers and requests to sign over your insurance check.
Signs of a bad roofing job
Even after the crew leaves, you can spot trouble. Keep an eye out for:
- Sloppy flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys, where most leaks start. Flashing should be clean, sealed, and tight.
- Mismatched or uneven shingles, with off colors or crooked rows, which point to rushed work or leftover materials.
- No permit when your city requires one. Skipping the permit means skipping the inspection that protects you.
- Reused old materials, like old underlayment, rusty flashing, or recycled drip edge passed off as new.
If you notice these, document them with photos and raise them before making your final payment.
Choosing the right roofer comes down to doing a little homework up front so you are not paying for it later. Take your time, get it in writing, and trust the company that earns it.
Ready to start? See who licenses roofers in your state or request quotes from local roofers, then check the license yourself.