What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Roofer?

Hiring a roofer is not a decision to rush. In the recent episode of Right at Home, host Mike Downer speaks with Ryan Johnson, president of Right Roofing, about separating experienced contractors from companies focused mainly on sales. The key takeaways are simple: verify credentials, demand a detailed scope, ask about flashing, understand the warranty, review past work, and confirm who will perform the installation. For homeowners wondering what questions should I ask before hiring a roofer, these conversations can prevent costly mistakes and reveal whether a contractor will stand behind the work.

Start With Credentials and Local Experience

The first question should be straightforward: Is the contractor licensed, insured, and bondable in your state? Ryan explains that a roofer who cannot answer clearly should not be trusted with your home.

Homeowners should also confirm that the company has a genuine local presence. Check its address, look for completed projects nearby, and request references.

Ryan recommends asking for both recent references and customers whose projects were completed five, ten, or more years ago.

Ask How the Roofer Handles Flashing

One of Ryan’s most important questions concerns flashing detail work. Flashing protects transition points where the roof meets walls, siding, pipes, chimneys, gutters, and other surfaces. These are often the most vulnerable areas of a roofing system.

Do not settle for “Yes, we install flashing.” Ask how it will be installed. Will the siding be removed when necessary? Will old flashing be replaced? How will the contractor inspect nearby windows, walls, and siding?

Ryan stresses that the roof should be treated as part of the entire building envelope. A qualified contractor should investigate the full system before recommending a complete roof replacement.

Get More Than a Price in Writing

A roofing proposal should include a detailed written scope of work, not just a total price. It should identify the shingles, underlayment, metal edging, flashing, ventilation products, repairs, cleanup, and other important components.

A clear agreement establishes what was included, what may cost extra, and how specific problem areas will be handled.

Without proper documentation, homeowners may discover too late that important materials were reused, repairs were excluded, or promises made during the sales conversation were never added to the contract.

Find Out Who Will Be on Your Roof

Ask whether the project will be completed by employees, subcontractors, or both. Subcontracting is common and is not automatically a warning sign. The real concern is whether the crew has been vetted, trained, supervised, and held accountable.

Ryan explains that Right Roofing uses company-employed project managers and selected crews that have proven their ability over time.

Homeowners should ask who will supervise the job, who will inspect the finished roof, and who they should contact if a concern arises during installation.

Understand the Warranty Before You Need It

Not all roofing warranties provide the same protection. Manufacturer warranties usually cover defective materials, such as shingles that curl, lose granules, or fail prematurely. They may not cover leaks caused by poor installation.

The contractor’s workmanship warranty addresses installation problems. Ask how long it lasts, what it covers, how claims are handled, and whether the company has service technicians available after the project.

Ryan’s broader point is that the contractor’s willingness and ability to return may matter more than impressive warranty language. A warranty has little value if the business disappears or refuses to respond.

Look for Red Flags Before Signing

Pressure to sign immediately is one of the clearest warning signs. Homeowners should have time to compare companies, review the paperwork, and ask questions.

Vague answers are another concern. Be cautious when a salesperson avoids technical details, cannot explain flashing or ventilation, or focuses entirely on price and insurance.

Ryan summarizes the standard homeowners should expect: “If you’re an expert in your industry, they’re easy questions.” A reputable contractor should welcome informed questions because clear answers demonstrate real experience.

Choosing a roofer requires more than comparing prices. Verify credentials, investigate local experience, review the written scope, ask about flashing, understand the warranty, and confirm who will manage the installation. A qualified contractor should answer confidently when you ask what questions should I ask before hiring a roofer

FAQs

How many roofing estimates should I compare?

Two or three estimates are usually enough. Compare the scope, materials, warranty, supervision, and installation details—not only the price.

Why is roof flashing important?

Flashing seals vulnerable transition points. If it is installed incorrectly, water can enter around walls, pipes, siding, and other roof penetrations.

Are subcontractors a bad sign?

No. What matters is whether they are experienced, insured, properly supervised, and accountable to the roofing company.

What should a workmanship warranty cover?

It should explain how installation-related leaks or failures will be inspected, repaired, and covered over a stated period.

How can I check a roofer’s experience?

Ask for project photos, nearby addresses, recent references, older references, licensing information, and proof of a stable local operation.

What is the biggest hiring red flag?

High-pressure demands to sign immediately, especially when combined with vague answers or an incomplete contract.