10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer
Whether you need a small repair or a complete roof replacement, the contractor you hire matters as much as the materials they install. A great roof installed poorly will leak, and a cheap estimate can turn expensive once the work starts. Like any major home improvement, the key to a successful roofing project is doing your homework before you sign anything.
Here are the ten questions we’d ask if we were hiring a roofer, what a good answer sounds like, and the red flags to watch for. We’ve also included the Pennsylvania and New Jersey rules that protect homeowners.
Key takeaways
- Verify registration and insurance yourself. In Pennsylvania, look up the contractor’s HIC number with the Attorney General’s office.
- Get a detailed written estimate and a written contract, and compare at least two or three quotes line by line.
- Ask exactly what happens with the old roof, the decking, your property and any surprises found during tear-off.
- Be cautious of door-to-door storm chasers, high-pressure sales and large cash deposits.
Before you start calling roofers
Start with a short list of local contractors. Ask neighbors, friends and family who they’ve used, and read online reviews, paying attention to how the company responds when something went wrong. A local roofer who has been working in your area for years understands the region’s weather, building codes and permit process, and will still be around if you need warranty service.
Then set up an inspection with each one. A good roofer will look at your roof up close, check the attic if needed, and explain what they found before handing you a number.
10 questions to ask before you hire
1. Are you registered and insured?
This is the most important question. In Pennsylvania, home improvement contractors must register with the Attorney General’s office and put their registration (HIC) number on contracts, estimates and advertising. You can look the number up online to confirm it’s valid. In New Jersey, contractors must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Insurance matters just as much. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, and ask about workers’ compensation for their crew. If a worker is hurt on an uninsured job, you could be exposed.
Red flag: a contractor who can’t produce a registration number or proof of insurance, or says you don’t need it for a “small job.”
2. Do you have local references and reviews?
Reputation is everything in roofing. A reputable roofer should be happy to share references from recent local jobs and point you to their online reviews. When you call references, ask whether the crew showed up on time, kept the site clean, communicated well and stood behind the work.
Red flag: no references, no local address, or reviews that all appeared within a few weeks.
3. What exactly is included in the estimate?
A detailed written estimate should spell out the scope of work and the specific products to be used: the shingle brand and line, underlayment, ice and water barrier, flashing, drip edge and ventilation. It should also explain what’s included for tear-off, disposal, permits and cleanup.
Line-by-line detail is what lets you compare quotes fairly. Two estimates that look far apart are often quoting very different work.
4. Will you tear off the old roof and inspect the decking?
Some contractors suggest laying new shingles over the old ones to save time and money. That can hide rot or water damage in the deck, adds weight to the structure, and may affect your warranty. A full tear-off lets the crew inspect the roof deck, replace soft spots and install a proper ice and water barrier.
Ask how decking replacement is priced (usually per sheet) so there are no surprises.
5. How will you handle the weather?
Roofing is weather-dependent. Ask how the roofer schedules around rain and wind, and how they protect your home if weather moves in while the roof is open. A good crew only tears off what it can dry-in the same day.
6. What is the timeline?
Most residential roof replacements take one to three days once work starts, depending on the size and complexity of the roof and the weather. Ask when the job can be scheduled, how long it will take and how you’ll be kept informed of any changes.
7. How will you protect my home and property?
Tear-off is messy. Ask how the crew protects landscaping, siding, windows, driveways and anything near the house, how they collect old shingles and nails, and whether they run a magnetic sweeper over the yard and driveway at the end of each day.
8. What warranties do you offer?
There are two kinds of warranty to ask about. The manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in the roofing products, and some manufacturers offer enhanced system warranties when an approved contractor installs their complete system. The workmanship warranty comes from the contractor and covers installation errors.
Get both in writing, and make sure you understand how long each lasts, what’s covered and whether it transfers if you sell the house.
9. Who will be on site and who is my point of contact?
Ask whether the work will be done by the company’s own crew or a subcontractor, who supervises the job day to day, and who you call with questions. Knowing your point of contact before the project starts makes everything easier once it’s underway.
10. How are additional costs handled?
Even with careful planning, surprises can come up once the old roof is off, most often rotted decking. Ask how those situations are handled and priced. The answer should be that you’re shown the problem and approve any extra cost in writing before work continues.
Know your rights in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) gives homeowners specific protections. Among them:
- Contractors must be registered with the Attorney General and include their registration number on contracts and estimates.
- Home improvement contracts must be in writing, and you must receive a signed copy.
- You generally have the right to cancel a home improvement contract within three days of signing.
- Deposits are limited, generally to one-third of the contract price plus the cost of special-order materials.
- Contractors must carry liability insurance (at least $50,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage).
In New Jersey, home improvement contractors must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs and provide written contracts for larger jobs. If you have questions about a specific contract, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs are good places to start.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a roofer:
- Knocks on your door right after a storm offering a “free roof” paid for by insurance.
- Pressures you to sign the same day or offers a price that’s only good “right now.”
- Asks for a large deposit, or for payment in cash only.
- Won’t provide a written estimate, a contract or proof of insurance.
- Offers to waive your insurance deductible, which can be insurance fraud.
- Gives a quote far below everyone else’s without explaining why.
How to compare roofing estimates
Once you have two or three estimates, line them up side by side and compare:
- The exact shingle line and accessories (underlayment, ice and water barrier, ventilation, flashing).
- Whether tear-off, disposal, permits and decking replacement are included and how they’re priced.
- Warranty coverage, both manufacturer and workmanship.
- Payment schedule and deposit.
- Timeline, cleanup and communication.
The lowest price isn’t always the best value. A slightly higher quote that includes a full tear-off, proper ice and water protection and a strong warranty usually costs less over the life of the roof. For more on what to look for in a contractor in our area, read how to choose a roofing contractor in Easton, PA.
Frequently asked questions
How many roofing estimates should I get?
Two or three detailed estimates are usually enough to understand the fair price range and spot anything that’s missing from one of the quotes.
How much of a deposit is normal?
In Pennsylvania, HICPA generally limits deposits to one-third of the contract price plus the cost of special-order materials. Be wary of anyone asking for more, or for cash up front.
Do I need to be home during the roof replacement?
Not usually, but your roofer should know how to reach you in case they find damage that needs your approval. Expect noise, and move cars out of the driveway and fragile items away from walls.
Does Simplistik Roofing offer financing?
Yes. 0% interest financing is available, and all jobs are done with no money down.
The bottom line
A new roof is a significant investment. Asking these questions helps you choose a contractor who is qualified, insured, transparent about costs and committed to doing the job right. Take your time, compare carefully, and choose the roofer you trust, not just the lowest number. If you’d like Simplistik Roofing to be one of the companies you compare, we offer free inspections and estimates across the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos and western New Jersey.
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