What questions should I ask a roofing contractor?
Before you hire a roofing contractor, ask five things: Are you licensed and insured, and can I see proof? Are you local and manufacturer-certified? Will I get a written, photo-documented report? What warranties come with the work — both workmanship and manufacturer? And who is my single point of contact from start to finish? Straight answers to these separate an established local roofer from a storm-chasing door-knocker.
The questions that actually matter
- Are you licensed and insured? Ask to see the certificate of insurance — not just a yes.
- Are you local, with a real address and a track record here? Storm-chasers leave when the season ends.
- Are you certified by the manufacturer whose shingles you'll install?
- Will I get a written, photo-documented report of what you found — not just a verbal pitch?
- What warranties come with the job — workmanship and manufacturer — and are they in writing?
- Who is my point of contact, and who's on the crew — your people or subcontractors?
- Is tear-off, cleanup, and disposal included in the price, or added later?
- Do you require a deposit or a signature before I've seen a written scope?
Answers that should give you pause
- "We'll cover your deductible" — that's a bait tactic, not a real discount; a fairly priced job doesn't need it.
- Pressure to sign at the door, today, before you've seen anything in writing.
- A price that only works "if we do it this week."
- No proof of insurance, no local address, or a cell number as the only way to reach them.
- A quote with a low headline number that adds tear-off back as a separate line.
How Firestone answers them
We're a local Fairlawn crew, licensed and insured, and manufacturer-certified for the shingle systems we install. Every inspection ends with a written, photo-documented report that's yours to keep whether you hire us or not, every install carries a written workmanship warranty, and you get one point of contact from the first call to final cleanup. We never ask you to waive a deductible or sign under pressure.
About Firestone — our team and certifications
Related questions
Should a roofer ask for a large deposit up front?
Be cautious. A reputable roofer can schedule the job and order materials without a large up-front deposit, and should never ask you to sign or pay before you've seen a written scope of work.
What's the difference between licensed and insured?
A license shows the contractor is registered to do the work; insurance (general liability plus workers' comp) protects you if someone is hurt or property is damaged on your job. Ask for proof of both — a certificate of insurance is a simple request.
Is 'manufacturer certified' actually a big deal?
It can be. Manufacturer certification means the installer is trained to that brand's spec, which is often what unlocks the strongest manufacturer warranties. Treat it as one signal among several — pair it with a local track record and real reviews.
What if a roofer pressures me to sign at the door?
Don't. Legitimate roofers are fine with you taking time to read a written scope and get a second look. Door-pressure and "today only" pricing are classic storm-chaser tactics.