To choose a roofer, get everything in writing, ask how long the workmanship warranty is and what it covers, and ask who cleans up. Ask for photos of your roof before and after, and how they handle bad wood. Pick a local company you can reach, and be careful with anyone who knocks on your door after a storm.
What should I ask every roofer?
Ask every roofer the same questions, so you can compare them side by side.
| Ask this | A good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Will I get the price in writing? | Yes. One total price, the shingle you are getting, and the payment schedule. |
| How long is your workmanship warranty? | A set number of years, in writing, with what it covers. |
| Who cleans up? | The crew cleans up and runs a magnet over the yard for nails. |
| Will I see photos of my roof? | Yes, before the job and after it is done. |
| What if you find bad wood? | We send you a photo before we replace it, at a set price per sheet. |
| How can I reach you? | A local phone number that someone answers, and a real business you can look up. |
Why does getting it in writing matter?
The North Carolina Attorney General says a home repair contract should include the quality of materials, the total price for labor and materials, warranties, start and finish dates, and who handles cleanup and trash (NC DOJ). The NC Department of Insurance adds: never sign a contract with blanks, and do not pay in full up front (NCDOI).
If you sign a contract at your home, North Carolina law often gives you three business days to cancel. The contract should spell that out.
What should the warranty cover?
The shingle maker covers the shingles. The roofer covers the install, and most early problems come from the install. Ask how many years the roofer's warranty is, what it covers, and to see it in writing. Our post on workmanship vs manufacturer warranties has six questions to ask.
Who does the cleanup?
A tear-off leaves old shingles, wood scraps, and a lot of nails. Nails mean flat tires and hurt feet. Ask how they clean up and haul the old roof away. A good answer includes a magnet sweep of the yard and driveway.
Will they show me photos of my roof?
You can not see your own roof well from the ground. Ask for photos or video before the job, so you can see the problem, and after, so you can see the finished work.
How do they handle bad wood?
Under the shingles is wood called decking. Some of it may be rotten, and no one can tell until the old shingles come off.
Ask two things:
- Will you send me a photo before you replace any wood?
- What is your price per sheet, and is it in the contract?
A set price per sheet, plus a photo first, means no surprise bill.
How do I spot a storm chaser?
After a big storm, out of town crews often knock on doors. The NC Attorney General warns homeowners about roofers who show up after storms (NC DOJ).
Watch for these red flags:
- A knock on the door right after a storm, from a company you have never heard of.
- Pressure to sign today. A real roofer gives you time to think and compare.
- A request to sign over your insurance claim or check to them. Talk to your insurance company before you sign anything like that.
- A promise that insurance will pay for everything, or an offer to cover your deductible.
- No local phone number or address.
- A big payment up front before any materials show up. If you are not sure, slow down.
Does a roofer need a license in North Carolina?
For bigger jobs, yes. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors says: "If a project is valued at $40,000 or more, your general contractor must have a license issued by the state" (NCLBGC). The rule is in state law, G.S. 87-1.
You can look up a contractor on the Board's website by name, license number, or county.
Should I check reviews?
Yes. Read the newest reviews and the low ones, and see how the company answered when something went wrong. Also check that they have a local phone number that someone answers. Slow to answer before the job usually means slow after it.
How do we do it?
- Free roof check. A roofer gets on your roof, takes photos and video, and texts them to you.
- Exact price, in writing.
- 5-year workmanship warranty, plus the shingle maker's warranty on materials.
- Bad wood: we send you a photo before we replace any boards, at a set price per sheet.
- Most roofs done in one day. See how long a roof replacement takes.
- Clean yard. We clean up and run a big magnet over the yard and driveway for nails.
Book a free roof inspection and compare us with anyone. Read more about our roof replacement process, or how to pay for a new roof. You can also text us at (980) 888-8431.
Common questions
What should I get in writing from a roofer?
The total price, the shingle you are getting, the workmanship warranty, the start date, the payment schedule, how bad wood is handled and priced, and who cleans up.
When does a contractor need a license in North Carolina?
The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors says a general contractor must have a state license if the project is valued at $40,000 or more. You can look up a license on the Board's website.
How do I spot a storm chaser roofer?
Watch for a knock on the door right after a storm, pressure to sign the same day, a request to sign over your insurance claim, a promise that insurance will pay for everything, or no local phone number.
How long should a roofer's workmanship warranty be?
It varies by roofer, so ask for the number of years in writing and what it covers. Ours is 5 years on our workmanship, plus the shingle maker's warranty on materials.
Should a roofer show me photos of my roof?
Yes. Ask for photos or video before the job and after. Also ask for a photo before they replace any bad wood.
