How to Hire a Roofer: Questions to Ask Before You Sign

A written proposal should help you understand the work you’re buying. Ask each contractor the same questions, then compare the answers alongside the price.

Questions to ask before choosing a roofer

• Who inspected my roof, and have they been on it? Ask how the roof was assessed, whether access was safe, and whether anything could not be inspected. At Greenlee, experienced roofers inspect the roof and explain their findings.
• Can I see what you found? Ask for a written assessment and photos of anything that needs explaining. If the answer is a verbal “you need a new roof,” keep asking.
• What exactly is included? Tear-off, disposal, underlayment, ice and water shield, new flashing, vents, pipe boots, decking, cleanup. If a line item is missing, ask whether it’s excluded or just unmentioned. Those are different things.
• What happens if you find rot? The honest answer is “we stop, dry it in, and call you with the cost.” Be wary of anyone who says it never happens.
• Who will I actually talk to? You should know who handles scheduling, who handles billing, and who’s in charge on the roof, before the crew shows up.
• What’s the workmanship warranty, and does it transfer? Ten years is ours. Ask to see the terms in writing, including what proof the next owner needs.
• Can I verify your license and insurance? Oregon’s CCB lookup takes thirty seconds. Ours is #224186.

Comparing two bids that look nothing alike

Two proposals can land near the same total and cover different work. Put them next to each other and check line by line: is tear-off in both? The same underlayment? New flashing, or reused? Cleanup? A lower bid is often a narrower scope. A higher one may include things you’d want anyway. Neither means anything until the scopes match.

Why the crew size matters

Ask who will supervise the work and check the finished roof. We use small crews to keep attention on the details, and production leadership performs a final inspection before we call the job complete.

When you’re ready, request a free inspection. Bring these questions. We like answering them.