How to choose a roofing contractor

Start with a short list of local companies

Begin by gathering three or four names. Ask neighbors, friends and family who have had roof work done recently, and ask what they would do differently. A local company with a physical address and a working phone number is easier to reach if something goes wrong after the job.

You can also find roofing companies near you in our directory. Each profile shows where its facts came from and what we have not checked yet. A listing is a starting point for your own research. It is not a recommendation, and it does not mean a company is licensed or insured.

Before you call anyone, search each company name online together with words like “complaint” or “scam”, as the Federal Trade Commission suggests. A pattern of the same problem in several places tells you more than one angry post.

Check license and insurance yourself

Contractor licensing is set by each state, and sometimes by a county or city. Some states license roofers specifically, some use a general contractor license, and some only require a local registration. Ask your state’s contractor licensing board or your local building department what applies where you live.

Then look the company up. Search by the exact business name and by the license number the roofer gives you. Check that the name matches, the license is active, and the license type covers roofing work. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners points out that “licensed” and “registered” are not the same thing: a registration may only mean a business gave its contact details to a government office.

These are the official places to start for the states we have looked up so far:

• Florida: Florida DBPR license lookup
• New Mexico: New Mexico CID license lookup
• California: CSLB license check
• Arizona: Arizona ROC contractor search
• Washington: Washington L&I contractor lookup
• Texas: TDLR’s list of licensed industries (the state has no statewide roofing license, so this lists what it does license)

For insurance, ask for proof of liability coverage and workers’ compensation coverage, or the exemption your state allows. A certificate is a snapshot. You can call the insurer named on it to confirm the policy is current. Workers’ compensation matters because roof work is physical and high off the ground, and rules about who pays when a worker is hurt vary by state.

Our methodology page explains what our profiles show and what they leave out. We do not check licenses or insurance on your behalf.

Get more than one written estimate

Ask each company to inspect the roof in person and give you a written estimate. A useful estimate describes the work, names the materials, gives a start and completion date, and states the price. If one estimate is far lower than the others, find out why. It may leave out removal of the old roof, damaged decking, flashing or cleanup.

To compare estimates fairly, line them up and check:

• Whether each one removes the old roof or goes over it, and how many layers it assumes.
• How it handles damaged decking found during the job, and what that would add.
• The materials named, including the underlayment, flashing and ventilation, not just the shingle or panel.
• Who pulls any required permit and who arranges inspections.
• Cleanup, disposal and protection of your yard, gutters and landscaping.
• The workmanship warranty from the roofer and the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials, and what each covers.

The lowest price is not automatically the right choice, and neither is the highest. The goal is an estimate you understand completely.

Read the contract before you sign

Ask for a written contract even if your state does not require one. The FTC suggests it include the contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number, the estimated start and completion dates, and any promises made in conversation. Make sure there are no blank spaces someone could fill in later.

If you sign a contract at your home or somewhere other than the seller’s place of business, you may have a right to cancel within a short window. Look for a written statement of that right in the contract. The rules depend on the situation and your state.

Ask how changes will be handled. If the crew finds rotted decking, you want a written change order with a price before extra work starts, not a surprise on the final bill.

Pay in a way that protects you

Avoid paying the full amount before work begins. Some states limit how much a contractor can ask for as a down payment, so check your state’s rules. A common approach is to tie payments to stages of the work and make the final payment only after the job is done and you are satisfied.

Paying by check or credit card leaves a record. Keep copies of the contract, change orders, invoices and receipts together. If materials suppliers or subcontractors are involved, ask how the roofer pays them. In some states an unpaid subcontractor or supplier can file a lien against your home. California’s Contractors State License Board, for example, explains that a homeowner can be responsible even after paying the contractor. Lien rules vary by state, so ask your state’s licensing board how to protect yourself, for example with signed lien releases.

Warning signs to take seriously

The FTC and the NAIC describe several common signs of a contractor to avoid. Be careful if a company:

• Knocks on your door because it is “in the area” or has “leftover materials” from another job.
• Pressures you to decide or sign right away, often with a discount that expires today.
• Asks you to pay everything up front, or will only take cash.
• Asks you to get the building permits yourself.
• Suggests you borrow money from a lender it knows.
• Will not give you a license number, proof of insurance or a written estimate.

Any one of these is reason to slow down. Several together is reason to walk away.

During and after the job

Before work starts, agree on where materials will be stored, which areas the crew may use and how to reach the project lead. Take photos of the house and yard so you have a record of how things looked. During the job, ask questions if something changes from the contract.

When the work is done, walk the property with the roofer. Ask for any final inspection sign off, copies of warranties and registration details for the manufacturer’s warranty if that is your job. Keep everything in one folder.

If a problem comes up, try to resolve it with the contractor first, and follow phone calls with a letter so there is a record. If that does not work, your state attorney general or local consumer protection office may be able to help.

For a ready list of what to ask, see our questions to ask a roofer with a printable checklist.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice.