Checking a roofing contractor

Twenty minutes of lookups before signing is the cheapest part of a $9,608 job.

What is probably happening

• Licensing depends on the state. Florida licenses roofing as its own trade: a certified roofing contractor can work statewide, a registered one only in the local jurisdiction that qualified them (F.S. 489.105). California's class is C-39, defined by the CSLB as a contractor who installs products and repairs surfaces that seal, waterproof and weatherproof structures. Illinois issues limited (residential, 8 units or fewer) and unlimited roofing licenses.
• Fixr's state-by-state review (January 2024) lists Texas, Colorado, Georgia and Ohio among states with no statewide roofing license. There, the check is city or county registration plus insurance.
• Manufacturer badges are a warranty tier, not a license. GAF's own page: contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs 'are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses.' GAF Certified can offer the System Plus warranty, Certified Plus adds Silver Pledge, Master Elite adds Golden Pledge. Owens Corning likewise describes its Platinum Preferred tier as independent roofing contractors in its network who can offer its best system warranty.
• Permits: roofing permits run $100 to $1,400. The contractor pulls it in their name. A contractor who asks you to pull it as owner-builder is shifting liability to you.

Do this in the next five minutes

1. Look up the license yourself on the state board's website, by number. Do not accept a photo of a card.
2. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers compensation emailed from the insurer or agent, naming you as certificate holder.
3. Check the manufacturer badge on the manufacturer's own site, not the roofer's.
4. Ask for a written proposal. NRCA: insist on complete descriptions of the work and specifications, approximate start and completion dates, and payment procedures.
5. Check for a permanent place of business, phone number and tax ID (NRCA).
6. Ask who pulls the permit and whether the fee is in the price.

Do not

• Do not treat GAF Master Elite or Owens Corning Platinum Preferred as proof of quality. They are proof the roofer can sell that manufacturer's top warranty and, per GAF, may receive loyalty points and marketing discounts for doing so.
• Do not pay a large deposit. Colorado requires roofers to hold payment in trust until materials are on site or most of the work is done.
• Do not take the lowest bid on price alone. NRCA: keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid.

Ask this contractor, on the phone, before anyone comes out

Tap each one as you ask it.

• Are you licensed for this work in my state, and what is your license number?
• Can you email me a certificate of insurance for general liability and workers compensation?
• Who actually does the work, your own employees or subcontractors, and are they covered by your policy?
• Which manufacturer warranty tier can you offer, and what does it cost me to register it?
• Who pulls the permit, and is the fee in the price?

End the call if

• A license number that does not come up, or comes up under a different company name.
• A request that you pull the permit yourself.
• Cash-only, out-of-state references, or a deposit before materials arrive (NRCA).