Hiring a Roofer

Choosing a roofing contractor is often the biggest factor in how well a new roof performs, since most roof problems trace back to installation. The checklist below is neutral and general. Licensing and consumer protection rules differ between countries and often between states, provinces and cities, so local requirements should always be checked.

Licensing and registration

• United States. Requirements are set by states and sometimes cities. For example, Oklahoma requires roofing contractors to register with its Construction Industries Board, and Minnesota licenses residential contractors through its Department of Labor and Industry. Some states have no state-level roofing licence.
• Canada. Rules are provincial and municipal; workers' compensation coverage and safety training are commonly required.
• United Kingdom. There is no specific roofing licence, but government-endorsed TrustMark registration and trade association membership show that a business has been vetted. Building control or a competent person scheme may be needed for some work.
• Australia and New Zealand. Licensing and registration for roofing and building work vary by state, territory and work value.

Checklist

1. Verify licence or registration where required, and confirm it covers roofing.
2. Check insurance: liability insurance and workers' compensation or employer's liability.
3. Ask for references and look at completed local jobs.
4. Get several written quotes with the same scope, materials and details.
5. Confirm the scope: tear-off or overlay, deck repairs (and their unit price), underlayment, ice barrier, flashings, ventilation, disposal and clean-up.
6. Permits: who applies and pays.
7. Warranties: obtain both the manufacturer's warranty terms and the contractor's workmanship warranty in writing.
8. Payment schedule: avoid paying most of the price before work begins; link payments to progress.
9. Safety: ask how workers will be protected from falls.
10. Written contract: start and finish dates, change-order process, and how hidden damage will be handled.

Warning signs

Door-to-door offers after storms, pressure to sign immediately, requests for full payment in cash, no fixed business address and reluctance to put terms in writing are commonly cited warning signs.

Manufacturer and trade credentials

Many manufacturers run contractor credential programmes, and trade associations such as NRCA in the United States, CRCA in Canada and national federations elsewhere maintain member directories. Membership shows participation in the association; it does not by itself confirm the quality of a contractor's work.