Questions to Ask a Roofer Before You Hire (and What Good Answers Sound Like)

Before you hire a roofer, ask questions in three groups: about the roofer (insurance, crew, references), about the roof (materials, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, decking, warranties), and about the price (what's included, possible extras, payment schedule, permits, cleanup). A good roofer answers plainly and puts it in writing; vague answers, pressure to sign today, or a demand for full payment up front are red flags.

How should you use these questions?

Ask every roofer the same questions and get the answers into the written proposal, so you can compare them side by side. RoofNuts frames proposals the same way, around the roofer, the roof, and the price. If you're still building a shortlist, start with how to pick a roofer.

Questions about the roofer

Where is your business based, and how long have you worked here?

Why it matters: The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) advises checking for a permanent place of business, a phone number, a tax ID, and a business license where required. You want someone around for warranty work.

Good answer: A local address, a business license, and recent jobs nearby.

Red flag: Only a cell number and a truck, especially right after a storm.

What license or registration do you hold, and how can I check it?

Why it matters: Georgia's consumer pages say general and residential contractors must be licensed through the State Licensing Board, but list roofers among the specialty trades not required to hold a state license. So "licensed" can mean different things from roofer to roofer.

Good answer: They name exactly what they hold (a local business license, a state contractor license, or both) and give you the number. State licenses can be checked on the Georgia Secretary of State's licensee search.

Red flag: "Georgia doesn't require anything" used as a reason to show you nothing.

Can you send me your insurance certificates?

Why it matters: The FTC says contractors should carry liability and workers' compensation coverage, and warns that without current coverage you could be held liable for injuries and damage during the project.

Good answer: "Our insurance agent will send them." Check that both are current for your job dates.

Red flag: Hesitation, an expired certificate, or "our guys carry their own."

Who will actually be on my roof, and who's in charge?

Why it matters: NRCA suggests asking who will oversee your project and how many workers will be on site. If subcontractors do the work, the FTC says to confirm they're insured too.

Good answer: A named crew lead, and a straight answer about in-house versus subcontracted crews.

Can I talk to a few recent customers?

Why it matters: The FTC suggests getting at least three clients with similar projects and asking them about timing, surprise costs, and cleanup. A roofer quoting a home in Sandy Springs should be able to point to similar roofs nearby.

Good answer: Names and phone numbers, offered without fuss.

How will we stay in touch during the job?

Why it matters: You should know who calls you when something changes.

Good answer: One named contact, and a promise that any added cost gets your approval first.

Even when a roofer is already screened, as every roofer listed here is through the RoofNuts Vetting Process (license or registration lookup, insurance certificate, reference calls, review checks, and local job evidence), these questions show how they'll run your job.

Questions about the roof

What exactly are you installing, and why for my house?

Why it matters: "Architectural shingles" alone is hard to compare.

Good answer: Manufacturer and product line in writing, and a reason it suits your roof.

Red flag: "Our usual shingle" with no name on paper.

What underlayment will you use, and where will you add ice and water protection?

Why it matters: Owens Corning's homeowner checklist notes that, depending on conditions, extra ice and water underlayment may be needed to help prevent ice damming, wind-driven rain, or collected water.

Good answer: They name the underlayment and where extra protection goes.

What will you do about flashing, pipe boots, and the chimney?

Why it matters: Owens Corning says a thorough inspection should cover the deck, attic, flashing, chimney, soil stacks, and other roof penetrations, not just the shingles.

Good answer: A clear statement of what gets replaced, what gets reused, and why.

Red flag: "We'll just caulk it."

Have you checked my attic ventilation?

Why it matters: According to Owens Corning, improper ventilation can damage shingles and invalidate the manufacturer's warranty.

Good answer: They checked your attic or vents and explain any changes needed.

What happens if you find rotten decking?

Why it matters: No one can see every board until the old roof comes off.

Good answer: "Here's how we price replacement decking, it's in the contract, and we'll show you photos before replacing anything."

Red flag: No mention of decking at all, which leaves the price open-ended.

What warranties come with this roof, and who stands behind each one?

Why it matters: A manufacturer warranty covers the materials. A workmanship warranty covers installation mistakes, and it's only as good as the company behind it. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties that can include workmanship coverage when a contractor in their certification program installs the roof.

Good answer: They explain each warranty, who registers it, who you call with a problem, and what would void it. NRCA recommends understanding what voids a warranty before you sign.

Questions about the price

What exactly is included in this price?

Why it matters: NRCA advises insisting on a written proposal with complete descriptions of the work and specifications, start and completion dates, and payment procedures. The FTC adds: no blank spaces.

Good answer: Tear-off, materials by name, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, permit, and cleanup, all spelled out.

What isn't included, and what could raise the price?

Why it matters: Decking, extra layers of old roofing, and other repairs can turn a low bid into a high bill.

Good answer: A short list of possible extras, each with a written price.

Red flag: A far-lower bid with a thin scope. As NRCA puts it, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What's the payment schedule?

Why it matters: The FTC advises against paying cash, suggests limiting the down payment, and recommends tying payments to completed work, holding the final payment until you're satisfied. Georgia's Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner warn against contractors who want full payment up front, take only cash, or won't give a written contract.

Good answer: A modest deposit, the balance on completion, paid by check or card.

Who pulls the permit?

Why it matters: Permit rules are set by your city, or your county if you're unincorporated, and they differ. Lawrenceville requires a building permit for re-roofing, for example, while the City of Atlanta exempts some non-structural re-roofing on existing one- and two-family homes. The FTC lists a contractor asking you to get the permit as a common scam sign.

Good answer: "We pull it," or a clear reason none is required.

How will you protect my home and clean up?

Good answer: Specifics on protecting landscaping and driveway and on picking up nails and debris, written into the contract.

Will you give me lien waivers?

Why it matters: The FTC warns that unpaid subcontractors and suppliers may be able to file a mechanic's lien against your home, and recommends asking for lien releases or waivers before the final payment.

Good answer: "Yes, with the final invoice."

What should you ask after a hailstorm or on an insurance claim?

After big storms, Georgia's Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner have warned that storm chasers may take up-front payments and disappear. They advise avoiding door-to-door offers, being skeptical of any contractor offering to pay your deductible, and talking to your insurer before committing to repairs. That goes for every suburb from Newnan north.

If insurance money will pay for your roof, Georgia law adds protections. A residential roofing contractor must tell you in writing that you can cancel before midnight on the fifth business day after your insurer notifies you in writing that all or part of the claim isn't covered. The contractor can't require payment until that period passes, except for emergency work to prevent damage. And a roofer can't represent you or negotiate your claim unless they're a licensed public adjuster.

On a claim job, also ask:

Does your contract include Georgia's notice of cancellation for insurance-funded roofs?
Will you ask me for any money before my claim is settled?
Who talks to my insurance company, you or me?

The top 10 questions to ask a roofer

Print this for every meeting:

Where is your business based, and how long have you worked here?
What license or registration do you hold, and how can I verify it?
Can your insurance agent send me current liability and workers' comp certificates?
Who will be on my roof, and who's in charge?
Can I call three recent customers with similar roofs?
Which shingle, underlayment, and flashing are you installing, by name?
Did you check my ventilation and decking, and how are decking repairs priced?
What do the manufacturer and workmanship warranties cover, and who registers them?
What's included, what isn't, and what's the payment schedule?
Who pulls the permit, and will I get lien waivers at the end?