5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Hiring a roofer is one of the bigger decisions you'll make as a homeowner. You're trusting someone to protect your home from the elements for the next 20 to 30 years. Yet many homeowners pick a contractor based on little more than price and a handshake.

Before you sign anything, ask these five questions. The answers will tell you a lot about whether you're dealing with a professional operation or someone who might cut corners.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Indiana?

This is the most basic question, and it's surprising how often it gets skipped.

Indiana doesn't require a state-level roofing license, but many municipalities in the Indianapolis metro area require contractors to be registered or licensed locally. Marion County, for example, requires contractors to be registered with the city. Surrounding counties like Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson may have their own requirements.

What to ask for specifically:

• General liability insurance. This covers damage to your property during the project. If a crew member drops a tool through your window or damages your landscaping, their insurance pays — not yours. Ask for a certificate of insurance, not just a verbal confirmation.
• Workers' compensation insurance. Roofing is one of the most dangerous trades. If a worker is injured on your property and the company doesn't carry workers' comp, you could be liable. This is non-negotiable.
• Local registration or permits. Ask if they'll pull the required building permit for your project. A legitimate contractor handles this as part of the job. If they suggest skipping the permit to save money, that's a red flag.

Why it matters: An uninsured contractor is a liability waiting to happen. If something goes wrong, you're the one left holding the bill.

2. Who Will Actually Be on My Roof?

Many roofing companies use subcontractors for some or all of their jobs. This isn't automatically bad — some subcontractor crews are excellent — but you deserve to know who's doing the work.

What to ask:

• Will your own employees be doing the work, or will you use subcontractors?
• If subcontractors, how long have you worked with this crew?
• Does the subcontractor carry their own insurance?
• Will a company representative be on-site to supervise the work?

Why it matters: When problems arise — and on a construction project, small problems always arise — you want to know there's a clear chain of accountability. If the company doesn't know or won't tell you who's doing the actual labor, that's a concern.

3. What Exactly Is Included in the Warranty?

Roofing warranties are not all created equal. There are typically two separate warranties on a new roof, and many homeowners don't realize they're different:

• Manufacturer's material warranty. This covers defects in the shingles or roofing material itself. Standard manufacturer warranties run 25 to 50 years, but they often have fine print — prorating the coverage after the first 10 years, excluding certain types of damage, or requiring specific installation methods.
• Contractor's workmanship warranty. This covers the quality of the installation. If shingles blow off because they weren't nailed properly, this is the warranty that applies. Workmanship warranties vary wildly — some companies offer 2 years, others offer 10 or more.

What to ask:

• What's your workmanship warranty, and what does it specifically cover?
• Are there manufacturer-backed extended warranties available (like GAF Golden Pledge or Owens Corning Platinum Protection)?
• What would void the warranty? (Common exclusions: improper ventilation, walking on the roof, adding satellite dishes or solar panels)
• Is the warranty transferable if I sell the house?

Why it matters: A 50-year material warranty means nothing if the installer's workmanship warranty is only 1 year. The installation is where most problems originate.

4. Can You Provide Local References From the Past Year?

Online reviews are valuable, but they're not the whole picture. Asking for recent, local references gives you something reviews can't: the ability to ask specific questions about the experience.

What to ask the references:

• Did the project stay on the quoted budget, or were there surprise costs?
• Did they finish on time, and how did they handle weather delays?
• How was the cleanup? Did they leave nails, debris, or material in the yard?
• Have you had any issues since the roof was installed? If so, how did the company respond?
• Would you hire them again?

Why it matters: Any company can show you their best reviews. References from the past 6 to 12 months tell you how they're performing right now — not how they performed three years ago with a different crew.

A reputable Indianapolis roofer will have no problem giving you 3 to 5 recent local references. If they hesitate or deflect, move on.

5. What Are the Payment Terms?

Payment structure tells you a lot about a company's financial stability and business practices.

What's normal:

• A deposit of 10% to 30% to secure materials and schedule the job
• Progress payment at an agreed milestone (like when materials are delivered)
• Final payment upon completion and your inspection of the work

What's a red flag:

• Full payment upfront. Never pay 100% before work begins. This is the single biggest warning sign of a disreputable contractor. If they demand full payment before touching your roof, walk away.
• Cash only, no contract. Legitimate businesses accept checks, cards, or financing. Cash-only with no written agreement usually means no accountability.
• Unusually low price. If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask why. They may be cutting corners on materials, skipping permits, or planning to use untrained labor.

What to ask:

• What's the deposit amount, and when is the balance due?
• Do you offer financing? (Many established Indianapolis roofers do)
• Will I receive a written contract detailing the full scope of work, materials, timeline, and total cost?
• What happens if the project runs over the quoted amount due to unexpected issues (rotted decking, for example)?

Why it matters: A clear, written payment agreement protects both you and the contractor. It eliminates the "I thought it included..." conversations that lead to disputes.

Bonus: Trust Your Gut

Beyond these five questions, pay attention to how the company communicates. Do they return calls promptly? Do they answer questions directly, or do they dodge specifics? Are they patient with your questions, or do they pressure you to sign quickly?

A contractor who's worth hiring will be happy to answer every question on this list — because they know their answers are good. The ones who get defensive or vague are telling you something important about how they'll handle problems during the project.