No matter where you found the roofing company you are getting a quote from – even if they are a relative – you should get solid answers to these 3 questions. It will save you a ton of headaches and unnecessary risk to get answers to these roofing questions first.

Question 1: Can you provide me proof of your licenses, insurance and coverage amounts?
It is one thing to say you are licensed and insured, it is another to provide the documentation. Make sure you get copies of the information and double check them with the local and state agencies as applicable. Also, $500,000 in coverage for their work crews is about as low you should be willing to accept. Preferably it will be more.

Question 2: Can you provide me references from prior clients with similar projects and roof styles? If you are putting a metal roof on your house, it doesn’t matter how many shingle roof your roofer has done in the past – you don’t want their first metal roof job to be yours!! Get references for jobs that are similar to yours and then call the references.

Get at least 1 negative out of every reference you call, no matter how positive they are. Say something like, “I know they did a great job and you are hesitant to say anything negative, but nobody is perfect and I am sure they would like to know where they could improve as well. It won’t affect whether I hire them or not, but if there was something you could have told them prior to starting your roof project, what would it have been?”

If at that point, they still won’t give you a negative or an area of improvement then disregard the reference completely. They are not being objective. If you get 2 or more of those types of references, then pass on that roofer. Something isn’t right and it isn’t worth the risk.

Question 3: Have you worked with my insurance provider before and can you give me a detailed breakdown of what tasks and prices are covered by my insurance and what isn’t before I sign a contract?

Insurance companies know what roofing companies do quality work. Hopefully your roofer has been in business long enough to have worked with your insurance provider. If so, ask your insurance provider about them (even if the job is not covered under your insurance.) Their opinion is a good one to have. Finally, getting a clear list of the tasks of the job and what is covered and what is not by insurance goes a long way toward choosing a competent roofer and getting a quality end product. Insist on this – even if the project doesn’t fall under your insurance.

You need a clear contract and the early you can see one in the process the better.

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