How to Hire a Roofer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 1, 2021 References

Hiring someone to work on your roof is a big job, one that requires you to do your homework. When looking for a trustworthy roofer, start by confirming that the prospective contractor is licensed to perform roofing work in your state or province. It will also help to get a referral from previous home or business owners who have secured the roofer’s services in the past. Finally, make sure the formal contract and all other necessary paperwork meets your approval before signing off and getting the project underway.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Planning a Roofing Project

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Educate yourself on how roofing work is performed. Before you trust someone to work on your roof, it’s a good idea to learn a little about what they’ll be doing. Go online and read up on both repair jobs and full installations or replacements. Pay particular attention to the types of tools, materials, practices and procedures involved.
- Much more goes into installing or replacing a roof than just laying shingles. There’s also the matter of flashing, gutters, and the plywood decking underlying the roofing materials themselves.^{[1]
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- By becoming acquainted with the work involved, you’ll have a better idea about what types of questions to ask your roofer, as well as what to expect once they get started.
2
Pick out the specific materials you want for your new roof. To really go the extra mile, decide in advance how you want your roof to look. Consider the size, color, and arrangement of shingles or other materials, as well as how they’ll stand up to the kind of weather conditions common in your neck of the woods.^{[2]
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- You can also find lots of helpful information on roofing materials and styles online on popular home improvement sites like Today’s Homeowner and Better Homes and Gardens.^{[3]
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- To have a non-residential roofing system installed in a material such as metal, TPO, or PVC, you’ll need to hire out a specialty contractor with the necessary credentials and expertise.^{[4]
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3
Read the manufacturer’s instructions included with the new materials. If you decide to buy or research your roofing materials on your own, spend some time looking over the installation instructions as written by the manufacturer. These will lay out every step of the project in detail, from the specific equipment needed to the optimal outdoor conditions for completing the job safely and efficiently.
- A representative at the store where you’re doing your shopping should be able to print you off a copy of the full manufacturer’s instructions, or you can pull them up in digital form directly on the company’s website.^{[5]
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- Different installation methods are required for different materials. Certain materials also call for other specialized equipment and accessories, such as fasteners or underlays.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Vetting a Contractor

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Ask to see their contractor’s license. Any roofer who runs a legitimate business should be able to produce a copy of their contractor’s license without issue. If for some reason you’re not comfortable asking the roofer face-to-face, you can also find the information you’re looking for on the website of your local building department or state licensing agency.^{[6]
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- If you need further proof, ask for their tax identification number. All businesses are issued a unique tax identification number upon registration.
- Keep in mind that a business license is not the same thing as a contractor’s license. Just because a contractor owns their own business doesn’t mean they’re officially licensed to do the work they advertise.^{[7]
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Check to make sure they have liability insurance. In addition to their contractor’s license, the roofer you talk to should be able to provide you with proof of both liability and workers’ compensation coverage. It’s critical that anyone working on your home have these two forms of insurance, as it means that all your bases will be covered legally in the event of an accident or dispute.^{[8]
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- If your contractor is reluctant to show proof of insurance or insists that it isn’t necessary, disqualify them from your search immediately.
- Workers’ comp protects you from being sued if a worker gets hurt on the job, while liability insurance guarantees that you won’t be held financially responsible for any damages that befall your property during the course of the project.^{[9]
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3
Seek out referrals from previous customers. Ask the contractor for the names and phone numbers of other homeowners who have made use of their services in the past. Call one or two of these people and get their thoughts. Some good questions to ask are “How would you rate the quality and efficiency of this contractor?”, “Have you encountered any problems since the installation?” and “Would you use this roofer again?”^{[10]
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- Alternatively, you can run a search for the contractor or company by name and read through a few of their online reviews.^{[11]
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- Referrals can be useful for giving you an idea of the kind of work that a contractor does.
4
Find out whether the contractor will remove your old roof. Get an answer to this question as early on as you can. Some roofers may attempt to save time and labor by shingling over existing materials. However, there’s no way for them to know whether the supporting structure is in good enough shape to proceed without first pulling up the old shingles.^{[12]
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- Ask the contractor to explain their reasoning for why each of the roof’s components should stay or go. This will help you ensure that you’re not being overcharged or stuck with brand new shingles on a decaying roof.^{[13]
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- Request that the contractor take pictures of your old roof for reference as part of their inspection or estimate.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Finalizing the Hiring Process

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Schedule a time to meet with the project manager or foreman. During the introduction, ask yourself whether you would be comfortable having this person working around your home unsupervised for days or weeks on end. Note the contractor’s general appearance and demeanor as well as their qualifications on paper—professionalism goes a long way.^{[14]
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- Take advantage of this opportunity to bring up any other questions you may have relating to the project, such as the size of the crew who will be working onsite and how the cleanup process will be handled.
- Trust your gut. If you don’t have a good feeling about a person, play it safe and pass them up the next name on your list.
2
Ask for an estimate. Most contractors offer estimates free of charge. They’ll factor in considerations like square footage, materials, and labor to come up with a figure of what they expect the project to cost. When choosing between several contractors, request an estimate from each and weigh the projected price they give you against their reputation and credentials.^{[15]
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- Remember, you get what you pay for, so the lowest estimate won’t always mean the best results.
- If a roofer tries to get you to pay for an estimate, take it as a warning sign.
3
Draw up a contract laying out the particulars of your arrangement. The final contract should include specific language about the nature of the work being done, the color and style of the new roof, and all materials used. File a copy of the contract in your records in case you end up in a disagreement or the roofer fails to deliver on the terms you’ve set.^{[16]
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- Make sure you understand the language and terms in each section of your contract before signing. Once you put your name on it, it will be legally binding.
4
Understand the warranty on your new roof. Roofing projects typically come with two separate warranties—one for the raw materials and one for the labor itself. This is a big benefit to you as the homeowner, as it means you won’t have to cough up any extra money should you experience a problem in the time the warranty covers.^{[17]
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- The responsibility of replacing faulty materials falls on the manufacturer, while issues involving the installation, repair, or replacement itself will need to be taken up with the contracting company.
- Many contractors offer a one-year warranty on completed jobs, though two or three years is ideal.^{[18]
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Warnings

Watch out for “storm chasers” (opportunists who show up following destructive weather events) and individuals going door-to-door offering their services at discounted prices. These people are often scam artists, and there’s a good chance you’ll never see them again once you’ve handed over the money for the project.

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