Most people wait until water stains the ceiling before they start looking for a roofer. That panic shopping gets you overcharged and under-served. A little planning ahead makes the whole process less painful.
Before You Search
Figure out what kind of work you need before you call anyone. Are you patching a leak, replacing a few shingles, or doing a full tear-off? Check your insurance policy first — some damage might be covered. Also look at your attic or crawl space yourself. If you see daylight through the decking, that's a full replacement, not a repair. Knowing this stops a salesperson from upselling you.
Vetting Candidates
Ask for their license number and call the state board to verify it. Do not skip this step. Then check their general liability insurance — ask for a certificate of insurance, not just a card. Ask for references from jobs done at least two years ago. Recent ones are cherry-picked. Drive by those old jobs if you can. Look for curled shingles, rusty flashing, or gutters full of granules. Those are signs of shoddy work. If someone knocks on your door after a storm, send them away. Storm chasers leave town before the warranty expires.
Getting Quotes
Get three quotes, but don't pick the cheapest or the most expensive automatically. Listen to how they explain the work. The guy who walks your roof, points out problem areas, and explains why he'd do something a certain way usually knows his stuff. The one who gives you a price from the truck without looking is either lazy or desperate. Ask each one what brand and grade of shingles they plan to use. Also ask about underlayment and flashing details. Good materials cost more. Bad materials leak faster.
Before You Sign
Read every line of the contract. Make sure it lists the full scope of work, the exact materials, the payment schedule, and the cleanup plan. Never pay more than a third upfront. Never pay cash. Get the warranty in writing — both the manufacturer's warranty and the workmanship warranty. That second one is what covers you if they install it wrong. Also confirm they'll pull the permit. If they say permits aren't needed, they're lying. Walk away.
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