.webp)
How to Know If Your Roofing Company Is Licensed and Insured
Aaron Venegaz is the President and founder of Global Exterior Experts and has been in the construction / roofing industry for over 15+ years. He started the company back in 2010 and done everything from scheduling appointments to putting down roofs. He's also done everything from commercial roofing to residential roofing and has also worked with almost every single roofing material multiple times over the past 15 years.
Ask about licensing, insurance coverage, written estimates, who performs the work, permit responsibility, material specifications, warranty terms, and payment structure. These questions separate a qualified roofing company from one you will regret hiring. Get every answer in writing before any contract is signed.
Here is a full breakdown of what to ask the contractors, why it matters, and what the answers should tell you.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured in This State?
Start here. Every time. Licensing requirements vary by state, but a legitimate roofing company should be able to hand you a copy of their license and certificate of insurance without any hesitation.
Ask for two specific documents:
- General liability insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 in coverage. This protects your property if something goes wrong during the job.
- Workers' compensation insurance: If a crew member is injured on your roof without it, you could be held liable.
Call the issuing agency to verify both are current. Expired policies are a real problem in this industry, and some contractors carry proof of insurance that lapsed months ago.
2. Will You Pull the Permits?
This question trips up a lot of homeowners because it feels like a technicality. It is not.
A Roof replacement in most jurisdictions requires a building permit. When a permit is pulled, an inspector signs off on the completed work. That matters for two reasons: it confirms the installation meets local code, and it protects your home's value if you ever sell. Buyers and their agents check permit history.
A roofing company that offers to skip the permit to "save you money" is offering to cut a corner that could cost you far more later. Permit fees typically run $150 to $500 depending on your municipality. That should already be included in any professional estimate.
3. Who Is Actually Installing My Roof?
Alright, let's talk about something that does not come up enough. Many roofing companies sell the job and then hand it to a subcontractor you have never met.
There is nothing automatically wrong with subcontracted labor, but you deserve to know. Ask directly:
- Are the installers your employees or subcontractors?
- Has the crew been trained on the specific materials going on my roof?
- Who supervises quality control on the job site?
If the salesperson cannot answer those questions clearly, that is a signal worth paying attention to.
4. Can I See a Fully Itemized Written Estimate?
Do not accept a one-line quote like "full roof replacement, $12,500." That tells you almost nothing.
A proper written estimate from a qualified roofing company should include:
- The total square footage being replaced
- The specific shingle brand, product line, and warranty class
- Underlayment type and ice and water barrier details
- Flashing materials: new or reused
- Decking repair costs if damaged boards are found
- Debris removal and cleanup
- Permit costs
Typical asphalt shingle roof replacement runs $8,000 to $20,000 for most residential homes, depending on size, pitch, and materials. A written estimate gives you something to compare across bids and something to hold the contractor to.
5. What Materials Are You Using, and Why?
Here's the thing: not all shingles are equal, and the brand on the package does not tell the whole story. Two contractors can both say they use "architectural shingles" while one is installing a 30-year product and the other is putting on a 50-year warranty class.
Ask for the specific product name. Then ask why that product is the right choice for your roof pitch, local climate, and budget. A good roofing company can explain the difference between a standard 3-tab, an architectural shingle, and a premium impact-resistant option. They should also explain:
- What underlayment goes beneath the shingles
- Whether ice and water barrier is required in your climate zone
- What type of flashing is used around chimneys, valleys, and pipe boots
If the answer is vague, push back. You are purchasing this system for the next 20 to 50 years. Knowing what is on your roof is not optional.
6. What Does the Inspection of My Current Roof Include?
A roofing company that hands you a price without walking your roof first is guessing. And they are guessing with your money.
A proper pre-installation inspection should cover:
- Visible shingle condition from the roof surface
- Flashing at all penetrations, chimneys, and valleys
- Attic inspection for signs of moisture, mold, or ventilation problems
- Decking condition (soft spots, rot, or delamination)
Here is something that surprises a lot of property owners: bad attic ventilation is one of the top reasons roofs fail early. Heat and moisture build up and destroy shingles from the inside out. Any serious roofing company should identify ventilation problems before they put a new roof on top of an existing issue.
7. What Is the Project Timeline?
Most residential roof replacements take one to three days once work begins. Larger homes, complex roof lines, or steep pitches can push that to four or five days.
What matters more than the installation time is the scheduling window. During busy seasons, particularly spring and fall, backlogs of four to eight weeks are common. Material delays are also a real factor right now. Get a clear start date in writing, and ask what happens if weather pushes the schedule.
8. What Warranties Come With This Job?
There are two separate warranties on every roof replacement, and most homeowners do not realize they are different.
- Manufacturer's warranty: Covers the shingle product itself against defects. These range from 25 years to lifetime depending on the product tier.
- Workmanship warranty: Covers the contractor's installation. This is the one that protects you if the roof leaks because of how it was installed, not because of the product. Standard workmanship warranties run two to ten years.
Ask both questions directly. Get both answers in writing. If a contractor only mentions the manufacturer's warranty and brushes past workmanship coverage, ask again.
9. Can You Provide References or Recent Local Work?
A roofing company with a solid track record is glad to share references. Ask for two or three from jobs completed in the last twelve months, not the last decade.
Better yet, ask if there are any current or recently completed projects in your area that you could drive by. Seeing finished work on a house similar to yours tells you far more than a photo in a brochure.
Also check the Better Business Bureau and Google reviews for patterns, not just overall ratings. A single one-star review is different from a pattern of complaints about no-shows or leaks after installation.
What to Do Before Signing Anything
Get at least two or three written estimates before making a decision. Compare them line by line, not just the bottom number. The lowest bid is not automatically the worst choice, but it deserves the closest scrutiny.
Verify the license and insurance yourself. Ask for permit responsibility in writing. Confirm the materials and warranty terms are spelled out in the contract.
A qualified roofing company does not pressure you to sign the same day. They answer every question clearly, put everything in writing, and earn your confidence before asking for your business.
If something feels off during the estimate process, trust that instinct. The roof replacement conversation is the easiest part. It only gets harder to fix problems once the crew has come and gone.
