Ask every roofer the same questions and get the answers in writing. Start with these four: Can I see proof of your liability insurance? Where is your office? Can I call a few past customers? Will you give me a written scope? Then work through the rest of the list below.
The 12 questions
Questions 1 to 4 are about the company. Questions 5 to 10 are about the work. The last two are about money.
- Can I see proof of liability insurance? A good roofer hands you a current certificate from their insurer. Check the date.
- Where is your local address? You want a real office or shop near you, not a P.O. box or an out-of-state number.
- Can I have three references near me? Names and phone numbers of past jobs. Then call them.
- Who will be on site running the job? Get a name and a cell number.
- Will you give me a written scope? A scope is the list of exactly what will be done and with what. No scope, no deal.
- Are you tearing off the old roof down to the wood? A full tear-off lets the crew check the deck, the wood sheets under the shingles. Laying new shingles over old hides problems.
- What if you find rotten wood? A good answer is a set price per sheet, written down before the job starts, and a photo of any wood they replace.
- What goes under the shingles? Ask about underlayment, the water-shedding sheet, and flashing, the metal strips that seal the joints around chimneys, walls and vents. New flashing is better than reusing the old.
- What will you do about attic vents? Poor airflow cooks shingles from below in a Texas summer.
- What if it rains in the middle of the job? A good crew only tears off what it can seal the same day and keeps tarps on hand.
- What is the total price and when do I pay? Get it in writing. Be wary of anyone who wants full payment up front.
- What warranty do I get, and from whom? There are often two: one from the maker on the shingles and one from the roofer on the labor. Ask for both in writing and ask what each one leaves out.
Two more that are worth asking: How will you protect my plants, AC unit and driveway? Will you sweep the yard with a magnet for nails when you finish?
Answers that should worry you
- "We do not need to put that in writing."
- "This price is only good if you sign today."
- "You do not need references. Trust me."
- "We do not need to look at the roof. We can price it from here."
- A long pause when you ask for the insurance certificate or references.
How to compare the answers
- Put the written scopes side by side. Check that each lists the same shingle, the same tear-off and new flashing.
- If one price is far below the rest, find what was left out.
- Give weight to the roofer who showed you photos of your own roof and explained them.
- Take a few days. A fair price will still be there next week.
What to do next
Bring this list when you talk to us. Legacy Roofing is based in Crowley, at 3908 Williamson Rd. Ask us every one. Contact us or call (817) 602-2057 to set a time.
