How to Choose a Roofer: 10 Things to Check Before You Hire

By Roof Restore Buddy · Updated June 14, 2026

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. Here are 10 things to check before you sign anything.

1. Confirm they are licensed and insured

Ask for proof of a contractor license (requirements vary by state) plus 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 certificates and call the insurer to confirm they are 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

Get three written quotes before deciding. This shows you the fair price range in your area and exposes the outliers. The lowest bid often means cut corners or cheaper materials. The highest is not automatically the best. Three quotes give you the context to spot a good deal and a good fit.

10. Beware storm-chasers and door knockers

After a big storm, out-of-town crews flood neighborhoods knocking on doors, pushing you to sign on the spot, and offering to “handle” your insurance claim. Some do shoddy work and vanish before problems appear. Slow down. Never sign under pressure. Stick with local companies you can verify, and if you suspect damage, get an independent set of eyes on it first with a get a roof inspection.

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? Get matched with local roofers in your area and compare quotes with confidence.