10 Critical Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring Them
Your roof is the single most important protector of your home. It’s a complex system that shields your family and your biggest investment from rain, wind, snow, and ice. When it’s time for a roof replacement or repair, the contractor you hire will make all the difference.
Hiring the wrong roofer can lead to a nightmare: persistent leaks, hidden costs, damage to your property, and even voided manufacturer warranties. Hiring the right one means peace of mind for decades.
As a leading roofing contractor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we at Nailed It Roofing believe an educated homeowner is the best customer. A professional, trustworthy roofer will welcome your questions.
Here are the 10 essential questions you must ask before you sign any contract.
1. “Are you licensed and insured in New Jersey (or Pennsylvania)?”
This is the most important question. It’s an immediate deal-breaker if the answer is “no” or “it’s complicated.” This question actually has three parts, and you need a “yes” on all three.
Why This Matters:
- Licensing (Registration): This is your first line of defense.
- In New Jersey: The state doesn’t issue a specific “roofing license.” Instead, any contractor performing home improvements must be registered with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). Ask for their HIC number and verify it.
- In Pennsylvania: Similarly, PA requires any contractor doing over $5,000 of work per year to be registered with the Attorney General’s Office under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). Ask for their PA HIC number.
- This registration proves they are a legitimate business recognized by the state.
- General Liability Insurance: This policy protects your property. If a roofer drops a bundle of shingles on your car, damages your siding, or causes a leak that ruins your ceiling, their general liability insurance covers the repair. Without it, you’d be left paying for their mistake.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This is the big one. This insurance protects the contractor’s employees. If a roofer falls and gets injured on your property, workers’ comp pays for their medical bills. If the contractor doesn’thave it, that injured worker could sue you as the homeowner.
Red Flag: A roofer who says, “Don’t worry, my guys are careful,” or “We don’t need it for a small job.” Walk away immediately. Ask for a “Certificate of Insurance” (COI) and check that the policy dates are current.
2. “Can you provide a list of local references?”
A company’s past performance is the best predictor of your future experience. A roofer with a proud history of happy clients will be eager to share their information.
Why This Matters:
- Proof of Work: This shows they have actually completed jobs.
- Local Focus: You don’t just want references; you want local references. Ask for addresses of homes they’ve roofed in your county or a nearby town in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. This proves they understand our specific weather, building codes, and community.
- Actionable Step: Don’t just take the list. Pick two or three and give them a call. Ask simple questions:
- “Did they start and finish on time?”
- “Was the crew professional and did they clean up well?”
- “Were there any surprise costs?”
- “Would you hire them again?”
Red Flag: “We protect our customers’ privacy,” or “You can just look at our online reviews.” Online reviews are great, but speaking to a real person is invaluable.
3. “Do you use subcontractors or your own crew?”
This question is all about accountability. You need to know who, exactly, will be on your property and responsible for the work.
Why This Matters:
- In-House Crews: Many top-tier contractors, like Nailed It Roofing, use their own factory-trained employees. This is often the ideal scenario. The company has full control over training, quality, scheduling, and professionalism. The crew is accountable directly to the company you hired.
- Subcontractors: Some companies use subcontractors. This isn’t automatically a bad thing, but it requires a follow-up question: “Are your subcontractors fully insured with their own general liability and workers’ comp?” If they are, and the main contractor stands behind their work, it can be fine.
Red Flag: A roofer who is vague about who will show up, or one who can’t provide insurance for their subcontractors. This can create a massive liability and quality-control blind spot.
4. “What specific materials and roofing system components will you use?”
A new roof is not just a pile of shingles. It’s a complete system of components that must work together. A cheap contractor will cut corners on the parts you can’t see, which can lead to failure in just a few years.
Why This Matters:
Ask for the specific brand (like GAF or Owens Corning) and a full list of materials, which should include:
- Ice and Water Shield: A critical, self-sealing membrane installed at the eaves, in valleys, and around all penetrations (pipes, chimneys) to prevent leaks from ice dams and wind-driven rain.
- Roof Deck Protection (Underlayment): This is the layer between your roof deck (the wood) and the shingles. A high-quality synthetic underlayment provides a secondary water barrier.
- Starter Strip Shingles: Pre-cut shingles for the edges that provide a clean line and crucial wind resistance.
- Asphalt Shingles: The main shingles you see.
- Ridge Cap Shingles: Specially designed, thicker shingles to cover the peaks (ridges and hips) of your roof.
- Ventilation: A system (like ridge vents and soffit vents) that allows your attic to breathe, which is vital for preventing ice dams in our PA/NJ winters and reducing A/C costs in the summer.
- Flashing: Metal pieces that direct water away from chimneys, walls, and skylights.
Red Flag: An estimate that just says “new shingle roof” or “replace roof.” This is too vague and allows them to use the cheapest materials possible.
5. “How will you protect my property and landscaping?”
A roof replacement is a major construction job. It’s messy and involves thousands of pounds of debris. A professional crew plans for this; a bad crew leaves you with a disaster.
Why This Matters:
Ask for their specific property-protection plan:
- Landscaping: How will they protect your bushes, flower beds, and lawn? (The answer should be “tarps and plywood shields.”)
- Siding and Windows: What precautions do they take to prevent damage from falling debris?
- Driveway: Where will the dumpster be placed? Will they use boards under the wheels to prevent cracks or scuffs on your driveway?
- Clean-Up: What is their daily clean-up policy? Most importantly, ask: “How do you make sure all the nails are picked up?” (The only correct answer is: “We do a final sweep with a powerful magnetic roller.”)
Red Flag: “We’ll be careful.” This is not a plan. A professional contractor will have a detailed process for protecting your home as if it were their own.
6. “What warranties do you provide on workmanship and materials?”
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of roofing. There are two separate warranties, and you must have both.
Why This Matters:
- Manufacturer’s Warranty (Materials): This comes from the shingle maker (e.g., GAF). It covers defects in the materials themselves. A standard warranty might be “limited lifetime,” but certified contractors can offer enhanced, non-prorated warranties that cover 100% of material and labor costs for decades. Ask if your contractor is certified by the manufacturer (e.g., a GAF Master Elite Contractor) to offer these superior warranties.
- Contractor’s Warranty (Workmanship): This is the contractor’s own guarantee on their installation quality. This is arguably more important, as most roof failures are due to installation error, not material defects. A good workmanship warranty will last at least 5-10 years.
Red Flag: A contractor who says, “Oh yeah, it’s a lifetime warranty.” They are likely only talking about the manufacturer’s limited warranty and offering no guarantee on their own work. Get the workmanship warranty, in writing, in the contract.
7. “Will you provide a detailed, itemized, written estimate?”
A price scribbled on the back of a business card is not a contract. It’s an invitation for “surprise” costs later. A professional estimate is a multi-page document that breaks down the entire project.
Why This Matters:
Your estimate should clearly and separately list:
- The full scope of work, including tear-off of old roofing layers.
- A list of all materials to be used (see Question #4).
- Labor costs.
- Dumpster and disposal fees.
- Cost of permits.
- The payment schedule.
- A section on how unexpected issues (like rotted wood) are handled.
Red Flag: A single, lump-sum price. You have no idea what you’re paying for, and it’s impossible to compare it fairly with other quotes.
8. “How do you handle rotted wood or unexpected problems?”
This is the #1 unknown in any roofing project. You can’t see the condition of the wooden roof deck (the plywood or OSB) until the old shingles are torn off. A bad contractor will either ignore rotted wood and shingle over it (a major code violation that will void your warranty) or use it as a chance to charge outrageous prices.
Why This Matters:
The only acceptable answer is a proactive, transparent plan. A good contract will state:
- “We cannot know the condition of the decking until tear-off.”
- “If rotted wood is found, we will stop work, show you the damage (with photos), and get your approval beforeproceeding.”
- “The contract will have a clear, pre-agreed-upon price for replacing this wood (e.g., $X per sheet of plywood).”
This protects you. You know the “worst-case scenario” cost upfront, and you have control over the added expense.
Red Flag: “We’ll just cover it up,” or “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
9. “Who will be my point of contact, and what’s the project timeline?”
A roof replacement can be disruptive. Clear communication is key to a low-stress project.
Why This Matters:
- Timeline: How long will the job take? (Most average-sized homes can be done in 1-2 days, weather permitting).
- Point of Contact: If you have a question or a problem, who do you call? Will it be the salesperson, an office manager, or a dedicated Project Manager who is on-site? A dedicated PM is the best-case scenario.
- Weather Delays: Our weather in NJ and PA is unpredictable. What is the plan for a sudden rainstorm? How will they communicate delays to you?
Red Flag: A company where you can never get the owner on the phone, or where the salesperson disappears after you sign the contract.
10. “Will you pull the necessary permits?”
Almost every municipality in New Jersey and Pennsylvania requires a permit for a full roof replacement. This is a crucial safety step.
Why This Matters:
- Legality and Code: The permit process ensures the job is done according to your local town’s building codes. An inspector will check the work, protecting you.
- Contractor’s Responsibility: The contractor should always be the one to pull the permit.
- Future Home Sale: When you sell your home, the buyer will check for permits on major work. An unpermitted roof can halt a home sale or force you to pay for it all over again.
Red Flag: A contractor who says, “You don’t really need a permit for this,” or “It’s cheaper if you pull it yourself as the homeowner.” This is a massive red flag. They are likely not licensed or are trying to avoid an inspection of their shoddy work.
A Good Contractor Will Have Good Answers
Your home is your sanctuary. The roof that protects it is a major, long-term investment.
At Nailed It Roofing, we’re proud to serve our neighbors across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We want you to ask these questions. We have clear, confident answers for every single one. Our process is built on transparency, high-quality materials, and expert installation.
If you’re looking for a roofer who isn’t afraid of tough questions, contact Nailed It Roofing today. We’ll provide a free, detailed inspection and an itemized estimate you can trust.
