How to choose a roofer you can trust

Before you hire: the checklist

1. Check the license. Look the company up on your state contractor licensing board, or your city or county if your state doesn't license roofers. Make sure the name matches the contract.
2. Ask for proof of insurance. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and call the insurer to confirm they're current.
3. Look for a local address and track record. A real business address, reviews on independent sites and references from recent jobs near you.
4. Get it in writing. A detailed written estimate with materials, scope, cleanup, timeline, permit and payment schedule.
5. Understand the warranty. Ask about both the manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty, and get both in writing.
6. Confirm the permit. Ask who pulls the permit. In most places it should be the contractor.
7. Pay sensibly. Avoid paying most of the cost up front or in cash. Pay by check or card so there's a record.

Red flags

• Knocking on doors right after a storm and pressing you to sign that day.
• Offering to "cover" or waive your insurance deductible. That can be insurance fraud in many states.
• No license number, no written estimate, or a contract with blanks in it.
• Asking you to sign over insurance benefits before you understand what you're agreeing to.
• A price far below every other quote.

7 questions to ask any roofer

1. What's your license number, and can I see your insurance certificates?
2. Will you pull the permit?
3. Who will be on the roof: your crew or subcontractors?
4. What exactly does the quote include, and how is rotted decking priced?
5. What warranties do I get, and who backs them?
6. How long will the job take and how do you protect my yard and gutters?
7. Can I talk to two customers whose roofs you did this year?

Roofers we connect you with are independent businesses. We encourage you to run every one through this checklist.