Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor Before Hiring

The five questions below help separate a roofing sales conversation from a documented agreement. Verify the actual company, relevant experience, references, written coverage and the work included in the estimate.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Why it matters: The legal company, applicable license/status and relevant insurance identify responsibilities and eligibility. They are checks to perform, not proof that every detail will be good workmanship.

What to look for: Match the business on the proposal to the actual record through Utah's official license lookup, and ask for appropriate current insurance evidence.⁠^[1]

2. What is Your Experience?

Why it matters: Experience matters in the roofing industry. An experienced contractor is more likely to have encountered a variety of roofing challenges and can handle your project effectively.

What to look for: Inquire about their years in the industry, the types of roofing projects they specialize in, and if they have worked on roofs similar to yours.

3. Can You Provide References?

Why it matters: References allow you to hear about past customers’ experiences with the roofing contractor. Positive references indicate a track record of customer satisfaction.

What to look for: Request a list of references and contact them to ask about the quality of work, communication, and overall experience with the contractor.

4. Do You Offer a Warranty?

Why it matters: A warranty defines particular obligations and remedies; it is not a workmanship-quality score or proof of confidence.

What to look for: Read separate product/workmanship documents, included costs, exclusions, registration/transfer rules and the claim contact. NRCA notes there is no industry-standard workmanship warranty.⁠^[2]⁠^[3]

5. What is the Detailed Estimate?

Why it matters: A detailed estimate outlines the scope of work, materials to be used, and the project’s cost. It helps you compare proposals and identify what is included, excluded or subject to additional approval.

What to look for: Review the estimate carefully and ask for clarification on any unclear points. Make sure it includes labor, materials, cleanup, and any potential additional costs.