Updated March 2026

How to Hire a Roofer

Hiring the wrong roofer is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make as a homeowner. A bad roofer can cost you twice. Once for the job. Again to fix it.

A new roof runs $9,000-$15,000 for most homes.[1] That is too much money to hand to someone you found on a doorstep flyer. Here are 8 steps to hire the right one.

Step 1: Know Your Budget

Before you call anyone, know what a roof should cost for your home. Use our roof cost calculator to get a range. Plug in your house type, material, roof pitch, and zip code.

If you know the range is $10,000-$13,000, you will spot a $7,000 lowball and a $18,000 ripoff instantly. Knowledge is your best defense.[1]

Step 2: Get 3-5 Quotes

Three quotes is the minimum. Five is better.

You are not looking for the cheapest number. You are looking for where the quotes cluster. If three roofers say $11,000-$12,000, that is the market rate. One at $7,500 is a red flag. One at $16,000 needs a very good explanation.

Get quotes from local companies. Not storm chasers. Not door-knockers. Companies that have been in your area for years. Learn how to negotiate once you have quotes in hand.

Step 3: Verify Insurance

This is non-negotiable. Every roofer you hire must carry two types of insurance:

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI). Then call the insurance company listed on it to confirm the policy is active. Some contractors let policies lapse between jobs.[2]

Step 4: Check Manufacturer Certifications

The big three shingle makers all have certification programs:

Certification means the manufacturer has trained and approved the installer. It also unlocks better warranty coverage. A GAF Master Elite contractor can offer a 50-year warranty. A non-certified installer gets you a basic materials-only warranty.

Only about 2% of contractors earn the top-tier certifications. If a roofer has one, it is a strong signal.[3]

Step 5: Verify References

Ask for at least 3 references from jobs completed in the last 12 months. Then do two things:

  1. Call them. Ask: Was the crew on time? Did they clean up? Were there any issues? Did the final price match the estimate?
  2. Drive by the job sites. Look at the roof from the street. Are the shingle lines straight? Does the ridge cap look clean? Are there any visible problems?

A roofer who cannot provide three recent references is not worth your time. Period.

Step 6: Read the Estimate Line by Line

A good estimate is itemized. A bad one is a lump sum. You need to see the breakdown:

If a roofer gives you a one-line quote that says "New roof - $11,500," ask for a detailed breakdown. If they refuse, move on. Learn exactly what every line item means.

Step 7: Ask Who Does the Work

Some roofing companies use their own crews. Others subcontract the work out. Both can be fine. But you need to know which one you are getting.

If they use subs, ask:

Companies that sub everything out are harder to hold accountable. If something goes wrong, the roofer may point at the sub and the sub may point back. Make sure you know who is responsible before work starts.[4]

Step 8: Check Ownership

This one surprises people. That "local roofer" your neighbor recommended may not be locally owned anymore.

Over 40 private equity platforms are buying up roofing companies across the country. They keep the local name. They keep the trucks. But the owner who built the reputation may no longer make decisions. Read the full breakdown of PE in roofing.

Ask directly: "Is this company independently owned?" There is nothing automatically wrong with PE ownership. But it changes the pricing structure, the warranty backing, and who you are really doing business with.[5]

The NC Licensing Loophole

In North Carolina, roofing contractors do not need a state license for projects under $40,000.[6]

Since most residential roofs cost $8,000-$15,000, a huge number of roofers in NC operate with no license. That is legal. But it means there is no mandatory proof of experience, no continuing education, no bond, and no state complaint process.

What does this mean for you? It means insurance, certifications, and references matter even more. These are the signals that separate a real professional from a guy with a truck and a nail gun.

Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These

  • Door knockers after a storm. Legitimate roofers do not need to knock on doors. Storm chasers follow weather events and leave town when the warranty calls start.
  • Cash only. No paper trail means no recourse if something goes wrong.
  • No written estimate. A verbal quote is worthless. If they will not put it in writing, they are not serious.
  • Pressure to sign today. "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not a deadline. Good roofers are busy. They do not need to pressure you.
  • No insurance certificate. If they dodge the insurance question, they do not have it.
  • Out-of-state plates. Not always a dealbreaker, but combined with other red flags, it suggests a storm chaser operation.

Green Flags: Signs You Found a Good Roofer

  • Itemized estimate. They show you exactly where the money goes.
  • Permit included. They pull the permit themselves. It is part of the price.
  • Manufacturer certified. GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed has vetted them.
  • Local references. They can give you names and addresses of recent jobs in your area.
  • Clear warranty terms. They explain exactly what is covered and for how long. No vague promises.

10 Questions to Ask Your Roofer

Here are the specific questions to ask every roofer you interview. I included what a good answer sounds like so you know what to listen for.

  1. "How long have you been in business?"
    Good answer: A specific number. "Twelve years." Bad answer: Vague or evasive.
  2. "Can I see your certificate of insurance?"
    Good answer: "I will email it to you today." Bad answer: "We are covered, do not worry about it."
  3. "Do you pull the permit yourself?"
    Good answer: "Yes, the permit is included in the price." Bad answer: "You do not really need a permit for this."
  4. "Who will be on my roof — your crew or a subcontractor?"
    Good answer: Either, as long as they explain it clearly and confirm insurance coverage for whoever does the work.
  5. "What happens if you find rotted decking?"
    Good answer: "We charge $X per sheet of plywood. I will call you before we replace anything." Bad answer: "We will handle it." (With no price.)
  6. "What manufacturer certifications do you hold?"
    Good answer: They name specific certifications (GAF Master Elite, OC Platinum Preferred). Bad answer: "We are certified" with no specifics.
  7. "Can you give me 3 references from this year?"
    Good answer: Names and numbers, immediately. Bad answer: "Check our Google reviews." Reviews are helpful but not a substitute.
  8. "What does the warranty cover?"
    Good answer: They explain both the manufacturer warranty and their workmanship warranty clearly. Bad answer: "You get a 25-year warranty" with no detail about what is actually covered.
  9. "Is this company independently owned?"
    Good answer: A direct yes or no. Bad answer: They dodge the question or seem confused by it.
  10. "What is your payment schedule?"
    Good answer: "10-30% deposit, balance on completion." Bad answer: "50% upfront before we start." See financing options if you need to spread the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many roofing quotes should I get?

At least 3, ideally 5. Three gives you a range. Five makes the market rate very clear. If most quotes cluster around the same number and one is way lower, that low quote is a red flag, not a deal.

Do roofers need a license in North Carolina?

Not for projects under $40,000. Since most residential roofs fall below that threshold, many NC roofers operate without a state license. Focus on insurance, manufacturer certifications, and references instead.[6]

What insurance should a roofer have?

General liability (minimum $1 million) and workers' compensation. GL covers damage to your property. Workers' comp protects you if a worker is injured on your roof. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance and verify it.

Should I hire the cheapest roofer?

Almost never. The cheapest quote usually means something is left out: no tear-off, thinner underlayment, no permit, or unlicensed labor. A quote 20-30% below the others is a warning. You want the best value, not the lowest number. Here is what the cheapest materials actually cost.

Sources

  1. Roof replacement cost ranges based on Q1 2026 pricing data from ABC Supply, QXO/Beacon, and SRS Distribution regional catalogs. National midpoint $10,000-$11,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home. Last updated March 2026.
  2. Insurance requirements based on NC Department of Insurance guidelines and industry best practices per NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association). Workers' compensation liability exposure per NC General Statute 97-10. Last updated March 2026.
  3. Manufacturer certification statistics from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed corporate communications. "Top 2%" figure from GAF Master Elite program marketing. Last updated March 2026.
  4. Subcontractor risk analysis based on NRCA contractor management guidelines and residential roofing industry reporting. Last updated March 2026.
  5. Private equity roofing consolidation data from AXIA Advisors, Roofing Contractor Magazine Top 100 reports, and company acquisition announcements via BusinessWire/PR Newswire. Over 40 PE platforms and 150+ acquisitions as of March 2026.
  6. NC Licensing Board for General Contractors. Licensing threshold of $40,000 per NC General Statute 87-1. Applies to all construction trades including roofing. Last updated March 2026.