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You want a roofer that has “seen it all,” i.e., repaired and installed hundreds of roofs like yours. The owner of the company should have at least 10 years in the roofing business, preferably, or at minimum, working as a crew leader for someone else.

Most states require contractors to have a license issued by a state agency. In South Carolina, it’s the Contractor’s Licensing Board. In Georgia, it’s the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Even if a state doesn’t require a license, you should aim to get a service that is licensed, as it validates the experience and thoroughness of a company. 

Check to see if a contractor is licensed in Georgia

Check to see if a contractor is licensed in South Carolina

When applying for the license, the roofer must demonstrate knowledge and adherence to building codes and proof of insurance. Some states require that the contractor be bonded (see below).

If the roofing is being torn off, it should be deposited onto tarps and then into a dumpster or straight into the dumpster. Gutters, bushes, decks, and patios should be covered for protection. Ensure that you understand who is responsible for covering your items before work begins. Talk to your roofing expert about the best materials to cover personal items.

Many states require contractors to be bonded. A surety bond is a form of insurance that covers the homeowner financially. South Carolina requires a $15,000 surety bond to be licensed, while Georgia requires a $25,000 surety bond. 

That bond protects the homeowner in situations like: 

The contractor fails to complete the work, and the homeowner must hire another roofer to do it

The contractor fails to pay subcontractors or the crew

The contractor fails to get a permit for the work, and the city or county bills the homeowner for the permit

Your home or property is damaged (the surety bond might cover damage before liability insurance will, though it varies by state)

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are “no specific requirements for roofers.” Most learn on the job and are skilled at what they do. Training in a high school vocational program can be a plus.

That might be the best you can expect if you are having fiberglass asphalt shingles installed. However, for low-slope and flat roof installations, metal roofing, and other specialized roof systems, the crew should have factory training from a major manufacturer of the material – preferably the manufacturer of the material being installed on your roof.

The answer should be “of course,” and an address should be provided. Go to the site and watch to see if the crew is conducting itself in a professional manner, being careful to dispose of roofing material without damaging property, and keeping the site picked up.

The contractor might not have received permission from the homeowner to give them as a reference, so you probably shouldn’t knock on the door and start asking these kinds of questions. Stay on public property, like the sidewalk or street. 

Call the references for the shortlist of contractors you’re still considering after they answer all the questions in this article. Ask the references if the crew started when scheduled and, if not, how long the delay lasted and why the delay happened (Weather? Scheduling issue? Illness?) You can also ask if there is a reference for a job site with challenges, so you aren’t just getting a list of ideal customers who got service under ideal conditions. You want a roofer who can manage challenges and obstacles.  

Be aware that some roofers are in the habit of scheduling jobs for start dates they know they can’t meet. They do it to secure the work. A delay of more than two weeks is not acceptable unless there has been unusually bad weather in your area.

Ask the references whether they recommend using the contractor, if the crew respected their property and cleaned up thoroughly and whether the final cost was the priced quote.

If all the contractor can give you is a PO Box or he’s living in his van, the company isn’t legitimate. 

Some contractors keep prices to homeowners competitive by reducing overhead. It’s worth driving by the business office/yard or the home of the roofing contractor to see if the premises are well-kept. A contractor that is “fussy” about neatness and detail is likely to do a better job on your roof than a sloppy one.

Worker’s compensation insurance covers the employees in case they are injured on the job. Without it, an injured worker is more likely to sue the homeowner to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Liability insurance covers you if the roofing company damages your home or your property. Some homeowners’ insurance policies won’t pay in such cases.

This should be the first and foremost concern of any homeowner about the make a roofing decision. Especially at a homeowner's most vulnerable moment, after storm damage, these predators pop up promising quick fixes and a defined price with urgency for payment. Review the Better Business Bureau’s list of roofing scams before you make any decision.