12 questions to ask a roofer before hiring them
A roof replacement is a $10,000–$25,000 decision. Asking the right questions upfront separates contractors who'll do the job right from the ones who'll leave you with problems — and no accountability — a year later.
I'm writing this as a roofer — so read it knowing I have a perspective. But I'm also writing it because I want Houston homeowners to hire good contractors, whether it's us or someone else. The Houston roofing market has too many out-of-state storm chasers and unlicensed operators who take the money and leave town before the leaks show up. These 12 questions will help you filter them out.
Are you insured, and can I see the certificate?
This is non-negotiable. Ask specifically for general liability insurance and workers' compensation. GL covers damage to your property if something goes wrong. Workers' comp covers the crew if someone is injured on your roof — without it, that liability can fall on you as the homeowner.
Do you pull permits for roof replacements?
Most Houston-area jurisdictions require a permit for a full roof replacement. A permit means a city or county inspector signs off that the work meets code. Contractors who skip permits are skipping the inspection — and potentially skipping code requirements that affect your insurance coverage and resale value.
What manufacturer are the shingles from, and what's their warranty?
Name-brand shingles (GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas) carry 30–50 year manufacturer product warranties. Generic or off-brand shingles may save money upfront but carry shorter or no manufacturer warranties. Ask for the shingle brand and model by name — not just "30-year architectural."
What workmanship warranty do you provide — and is it in writing?
The manufacturer warranty covers the shingle product itself. Your workmanship warranty covers how it was installed. These are different things. A nail placed wrong, improper flashing, or skipped underlayment is an installation defect — not covered by the manufacturer, only by your contractor. A verbal warranty is worth nothing.
Is your estimate fixed-price and in writing?
A legitimate roofing estimate should specify the scope of work line by line and give you a fixed total price — not a "time and materials" agreement or a range. The only legitimate variable is decking replacement (unknown until tear-off), which should be written as a per-sheet add-on at a specified rate.
Who will actually be doing the work — your employees or subcontractors?
Many roofing companies are primarily sales and project management operations — they subcontract the actual installation work. That's not inherently wrong, but you should know. Ask whether the workers on your roof are the contractor's direct employees (covered by their workers' comp) or independent subs (who may carry their own or may not).
Do you have local references in my area I can contact?
References from the same neighborhood or zip code are the most meaningful — they show the contractor has done work nearby that you could go look at, and that they have neighbors vouching for them. Ask for references specifically in your city, not just generic testimonials.
How long have you been operating in the Houston area?
After major hail or hurricane events, out-of-state roofing companies descend on Houston neighborhoods. They do the work and leave town — there's no one to call when there's a leak a year later. A contractor with an established local presence has a reputation to protect and a phone number that'll still work in five years.
What does the teardown and cleanup process look like?
A full tear-off produces thousands of pounds of old shingles, nails, and debris. A professional crew will have a dumpster placed before starting, use plywood to protect landscaping, and run magnetic rollers over your yard, driveway, and surrounding areas for nails before they leave. Leftover nails in your lawn or driveway aren't just an inconvenience — they're a liability.
What underlayment and moisture barrier are you using?
Underlayment is the layer between your decking and shingles — it's your second line of defense if shingles fail. Synthetic underlayment is significantly better than traditional felt (15 or 30 lb felt). For Houston, ice-and-water shield at the eaves is code-required in most jurisdictions and critical for preventing wind-driven rain intrusion.
What's your payment schedule?
A legitimate contractor typically asks for a deposit (10–30%) to secure your place on the schedule and order materials, with the balance due upon job completion. Anyone asking for 50%+ upfront or full payment before work starts is a significant risk — especially for out-of-area storm chasers.
Will the owner or a supervisor be present during the job?
On a significant project, someone with authority to make decisions should be accessible — ideally present at start and finish. At Roofs-N-More, Phil walks every job at start and finish. You should know who the on-site point of contact is and how to reach them if something comes up mid-project.
A contractor who gets annoyed by these questions is a contractor you should walk away from. Good contractors answer all of these with specifics — because they've actually thought them through.
One bonus question worth asking yourself
After the estimate visit: did this person feel like someone whose judgment I trust? Roofing involves conditions and materials you can't fully verify as a homeowner — you're trusting the contractor's judgment on decking condition, flashing technique, and installation quality. Find someone who explains their reasoning, shows you what they're finding, and isn't pushing you to sign before you've had time to think.
See how Roofs-N-More answers these questions
We're happy to go through all 12 of these on the phone or during a free inspection visit. No pressure — just straight answers.