Hiring Safely
15 questions to ask a roofer before you hire
Homeowner guide · 8 min read · Educational only, general information
A roof is one of the largest purchases a homeowner makes, and most people go into the conversation without knowing what to ask. The 15 questions below are the ones that actually separate an established roofer from a risky one. Ask them before you hire anyone, not after the deposit has already cleared. For each question you will find why it matters and what a solid answer from a roofer sounds like, so you can tell the difference while the conversation is still happening. They apply to any roofing job, though most people are working through them before a roof replacement in Los Angeles, where the stakes are highest.
Licensing
Licensing and legitimacy
Start here. If a roofer cannot answer these three cleanly, the rest of the conversation does not matter much.
What is your CSLB license number, and what classification is it?
Why it matters: California requires a license for any home improvement work valued at $500 or more, and roofing has its own classification: C-39. A general contractor may be licensed but not specifically classified for roofing.
What a good answer sounds like: They give you the number immediately, without looking it up, and can tell you their classification. By law, the license number should already appear on their business card, bid, and contract.
Is the license active and in good standing right now?
Why it matters: A license number on paper does not mean the license is currently valid. Licenses expire, lapse, and get suspended.
What a good answer sounds like: They invite you to verify it yourself at cslb.ca.gov, which shows current status along with bond and complaint disclosure. Hesitation here is a serious flag.
What is your business address, and how long have you been working in Los Angeles?
Why it matters: A local company with a real address and history is far easier to hold accountable in a year when you need a warranty claim honored.
What a good answer sounds like: A specific street address you could actually visit, not just a P.O. box or a cell number, plus a straightforward answer about how long they have operated in the area.
Insurance
Insurance and liability
This is the part homeowners underestimate most, and the part that can cost you the most if it is missing.
Can you provide a current certificate of general liability insurance?
Why it matters: General liability covers damage the crew causes to your property, like a dropped tool through a window or damage to siding and landscaping.
What a good answer sounds like: They produce a current certificate without delay, ideally sent directly from their insurer. A verbal assurance is not the same thing as a certificate.
Do you carry workers' compensation for everyone who will be on my roof?
Why it matters: Without it, you may be exposed if a worker is injured on your property, depending on your state and your own homeowner's policy.
What a good answer sounds like: A clear yes, with documentation, that covers every person who will set foot on the property, not just full-time employees.
Will any of the work be subcontracted, and are those crews covered too?
Why it matters: Many roofing companies use subcontracted labor. Coverage that applies to the company does not automatically extend to a sub's crew.
What a good answer sounds like: They are upfront about whether subs are used and can confirm those crews carry their own coverage, or are covered under the company's policy.
The Contract
The contract and payment
California has specific legal protections here that a lot of homeowners never hear about.
Will I get a written contract with the full scope before work starts?
Why it matters: A written proposal is your only real protection if there is a dispute later. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends insisting on complete descriptions and specifications, plus start and completion dates.
What a good answer sounds like: They provide a written contract covering scope, materials, timeline, total cost, and payment procedure, and they expect you to read it before signing.
How much is the down payment, and how is the rest scheduled?
Why it matters: In California, a contractor cannot legally ask for a down payment of more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, on a home improvement project.
What a good answer sounds like: A down payment within that limit, with the balance tied to milestones or completion. A request for full payment upfront is a serious warning sign.
Who pulls the permit, and is it included in the price?
Why it matters: Most roof replacements require a permit, handled through LADBS in the city of Los Angeles. Permitted work gets inspected against code, which is a meaningful quality check. Unpermitted work can also complicate a future home sale.
What a good answer sounds like: The contractor pulls the permit as part of the job, and the cost is either included in the bid or clearly itemized.
The Work
The work itself
Two bids can look far apart in price simply because they include different things. These questions make them comparable.
What exactly does this estimate include?
Why it matters: Tear-off of the old roof, disposal, underlayment, flashing, and cleanup are all real costs. A low bid often achieves it by leaving something out.
What a good answer sounds like: An itemized breakdown covering tear-off, how many squares, underlayment, flashing, disposal, and site cleanup, so you can compare bids on identical scope.
What happens if you find rotted decking or hidden damage after tear-off?
Why it matters: This is the most common source of surprise change orders. Nobody knows what is under the old roof until it comes off.
What a good answer sounds like: A stated per-sheet or per-square-foot price for decking replacement, agreed in advance, plus a commitment to show you the damage before doing the extra work.
Which specific materials and manufacturer will you use?
Why it matters: Material grade varies enormously, and the manufacturer matters for warranty purposes. Vague answers like premium shingles tell you nothing.
What a good answer sounds like: Named products and manufacturers written into the contract, not just a category. Manufacturer certifications and industry association membership, such as NRCA or ARMA, are additional positive signals.
Warranty
Warranty and accountability
A roof is a decades-long purchase, so the last three questions to ask a roofer are about what happens years from now, long after the crew has gone.
What is the manufacturer warranty, and does your installation keep it valid?
Why it matters: Many manufacturer warranties require installation by a certified or licensed installer, and improper ventilation or installation can void them entirely.
What a good answer sounds like: They explain the specific manufacturer warranty on the products they are using and confirm in writing that their installation method preserves it.
What is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?
Why it matters: The manufacturer covers the materials. Only the contractor covers their own labor, and those are two completely different things.
What a good answer sounds like: A stated term with the coverage in writing, from a business established enough that it is likely to still exist if you need to make a claim.
Can you provide references and addresses of recent local jobs?
Why it matters: Past customers and visible completed work are the most direct evidence you can get. You can also check complaint history through the BBB and through CSLB's license lookup.
What a good answer sounds like: They readily offer references and a list of completed projects nearby. Refusing to provide references is disqualifying.
California Rules Worth Knowing
Three protections most homeowners never hear about
- A contractor cannot legally ask for a down payment of more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, on a home improvement project.
- Anyone performing home improvement work valued at $500 or more is required to be licensed by the CSLB.
- The license number must appear on business cards, bids, and contracts, and you can check whether it is currently valid at cslb.ca.gov.
Quick Reference
Take this list with you
The same 15 questions, condensed for the conversation itself. Bring them with you and work through them before you hire a roofer.
- What is your CSLB license number and classification?
- Is the license active and in good standing?
- What is your business address and history in Los Angeles?
- Can I see a current general liability certificate?
- Do you carry workers' compensation for everyone on the roof?
- Will any work be subcontracted, and are those crews covered?
- Will I get a written contract before work starts?
- What is the down payment, and how is the balance scheduled?
- Who pulls the permit, and is it in the price?
- What exactly does the estimate include?
- What happens if you find rotted decking after tear-off?
- Which specific materials and manufacturer will you use?
- What is the manufacturer warranty, and does your install preserve it?
- What is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?
- Can you provide references and recent local job addresses?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a roofer's license is real in California?
Use the Check A License tool at cslb.ca.gov. Enter the license number and you will see whether it is active, what classification it carries, whether the bond is in place, and whether there is any complaint disclosure. A contractor showing you a number is not the same as that number being valid today, so it is always worth the two minutes to verify it yourself.
How much of a down payment can a roofer legally ask for in California?
For a home improvement project, California limits the down payment to 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Anything beyond that is a warning sign. Beyond the down payment, you should generally pay as work is completed rather than in advance.
How many roofing estimates should I get?
At least three. The important part is making sure each bid covers identical scope, materials, and specifications, otherwise you are not really comparing them. A bid that looks dramatically cheaper often excludes tear-off, disposal, decking repair, or uses a lower material grade.
What if the roofer finds more damage after starting?
This is common, since nobody can see the decking until the old roof comes off. The protection is agreeing in advance on a per-unit price for decking or structural repair, and asking the contractor to show you the damage before proceeding. Getting that into the contract upfront prevents a surprise change order later.
Keep Reading
More on hiring safely
Sources
References
This guide draws on state licensing, consumer protection, and roofing industry sources.
A quick note on how we work
- This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements can change and vary by locality, so verify current rules with CSLB or your local building department.
- We are not the roofing contractor.
- We do not perform roofing services ourselves.
- We help match homeowners with independent roofing contractors.
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