Questions to ask when hiring a Roofing Contractor

 Q: How many fasteners will you use per shingle, shake or section of metal, and where will you place them? 

Answer: We  use the recommended fasteners required by the manufacturer, and we place them exactly where the manufacturer specifies.” 

Q: Will shingles overhang the drip edge and by how much? 

Answer:  Shingles should overhang the drip edge by about 1.5"-2" to ensure that rain runs off the roof into the gutter without a chance of backing up beneath the roofing. 

 Q: What do you do when rain is imminent? 

Answer:  The contractor should be very familiar with weather forecasts and never get caught in an, “uh oh, it’s starting to rain” moment. When rain and/or high winds are expected, a “torn off” or partially completed roof should be securely covered with tarp for protection. 

 Q: How will you seal pipe boots, skylights, chimneys and other protrusions? 

Answer:  New flashing should be used wherever it is needed, and the contractor should have proven methods for properly installing materials that will stop water from getting through these very common leak locations.  

 Q: What happens if a worker falls off my roof, or you damage my home? In other words, does the company have worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance? 

Answer:  

Worker’s compensation insurance covers the employees in case they are injured on the job. Without it, an injured worker is more likely to sue the homeowner to cover medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

Liability insurance covers you if the roofing company damages your home or your property. Some homeowner’s insurance policies won’t pay in such cases.

 Q: What happens if you skip out on the job? Are you bonded, and if so, can I see a copy? 

Answer:   

A surety bond is a form of insurance that covers the homeowner financially in circumstances like these:

• The contractor fails to complete the work and the homeowner must hire another roofer to do it
• The contractor fails to pay subcontractors or the crew
• Your home or property is damaged (the surety bond might cover damage before liability insurance will, though it varies by state)

 Q: If you tear off the old roof and find the need to replace some or all the roof deck, what will the cost be? 

Answer:  You want to avoid a scenario in which your old roof has been torn off, exposing the home to the elements, and the roofer tells you the deck needs work and it will be very, very costly. It’s better to know what the estimate might be rather than to get caught in a situation that would make it very difficult to switch roofing companies in the middle of a job. 

 Q: Will you inspect my roof structure for adequate vents, make suggestions and give me an estimate on needed upgrades? 

Answer:  Properly venting an attic and other space immediately below the roof deck is essential to a healthy home and a durable roof. Moisture and excess heat are very damaging. There is no easier time to add necessary vents than when the home’s roof is being replaced. 

 Q: Do you provide a manufacturer’s warranty for materials you supply, and do you labor the installation 

Answer:  You should understand a manufacturer’s warranty before choosing a material. They vary greatly. Most asphalt shingle warranties have a window of up to 10 years during which the material is covered 100% and then it is prorated downward over the next 15-20 years. Metal roofs have longer warranties. Labor on any roof should be covered by a warranty of at least 12 months so the roof is exposed to a full cycle of seasons.