Business and responsibility
- What is the legal business name?
- Who is my primary contact?
- Who supervises the job?
- Will employees, subcontractors, or both perform the work?
- Who is responsible for correcting workmanship issues?
Licensing and insurance
Ask what licensing is required in your state/locality and independently verify applicable credentials. Ask for current insurance information and understand that requirements vary by location and project.
Experience with the proposed system
- How often do you install this specific material/system?
- Are there manufacturer-specific installation requirements?
- Who on the crew is familiar with this product?
The written scope
- What exactly will be removed?
- What roofing product and accessories are included?
- How will decking be evaluated?
- What flashing will be replaced?
- What ventilation work is included?
- Are permits and inspections included?
- What does cleanup include?
Unexpected conditions
Ask for the procedure when deteriorated decking, extra roofing layers, flashing problems, or other concealed conditions are found. Determine how additional work is priced and who must approve it.
Property protection
- How will landscaping be protected?
- Where will materials and dumpsters go?
- How will gutters, siding, windows, HVAC equipment, pools, and driveways be protected?
- What should the homeowner move before work begins?
Schedule and weather
Ask for the expected sequence, normal working hours, weather-delay procedure, and method for protecting exposed areas if work is interrupted.
Warranties
- What manufacturer warranty applies?
- What workmanship warranty do you provide?
- Who handles a workmanship claim?
- Is registration required?
- Are warranties transferable?
- What exclusions should I understand?
Payments
Understand deposit requirements, progress payments if any, final-payment timing, accepted payment methods, and change-order procedures before signing.
References and completed work
When useful, ask for examples of comparable projects or references. Evaluate them as one input rather than a substitute for licensing verification, insurance, written scope, and contract review.
The final question
Ask: “Is there anything important about this roof or proposal that we have not discussed?” A good explanation can reveal assumptions that never made it into the estimate.