How do I find a good roofer?

1. Look up the license

Search the company name on your state's contractor licensing board website. Rules differ from state to state. Some states license roofing contractors, some leave it to cities or counties, and some have no roofing license at all.

If you cannot find a state license, call your city or county building department and ask what a roofer needs to pull a permit where you live. A roofer who says the job does not need a permit should be able to explain why.

2. Get a certificate of insurance

Ask the company to send you a certificate of insurance before work starts. Look for general liability coverage and workers' compensation for the crew. The certificate lists the insurer, so you can call it and confirm the policy is current. If a worker is hurt on an uninsured job, you do not want the question of who pays to land on you.

3. Insist on a written estimate with line items

A one-line price is hard to compare and easy to change later. A good estimate spells out:

• How many layers of old roofing come off, and disposal
• The price for replacing rotten decking, per sheet or per square foot, if they find any
• The shingle or metal product by brand and line, plus underlayment, flashing, drip edge and ventilation
• Permit fees and who pulls the permit
• The manufacturer warranty and the roofer's own workmanship warranty, in writing
• The payment schedule and a start and finish window

If you want to know whether a number is in the normal range, our roof replacement cost guide shows typical installed ranges by state, material and home size.

4. Ask about manufacturer certification

Ask which shingle brand the company installs and whether it holds that manufacturer's contractor certification. Certification can matter for which warranty you are offered. Shingle makers list their certified contractors in contractor finders on their own websites, so you can check the claim yourself.

5. Check the local track record

Look the company up on Google. A real roofing business has a business listing with a local address and a history of reviews over time, not a burst of them in one month. Ask for the addresses of two or three recent jobs near you and drive past them. Ask how long the company has worked in your area and who you call if something goes wrong a year from now.

6. Know the red flags

• Storm chasers. Crews that knock on doors after a hailstorm or windstorm, often from out of town, and are gone by the time a warranty problem shows up.
• Same-day pressure. A price that is only good if you sign today.
• Large upfront deposits. Especially in cash, or full payment before the work is done.
• No written contract. Or a contract that leaves out the materials and the warranty.
• Offers to cover your deductible. Your deductible is yours to pay. A roofer offering to waive it is a reason to slow down.
• Pressure to sign insurance paperwork. Read anything about your insurance claim before you sign it, and talk to your insurer first.

If you are replacing a roof in Florida, state law bars contractors from offering gifts, cash or a deductible waiver in exchange for a roof inspection or an insurance claim.

7. Compare at least two estimates when you can

On a job this size, a second estimate is reasonable. Compare the line items, not only the totals. A low price that leaves out tear-off, decking or flashing is not a lower price.

Where One Good Roofer fits

One Good Roofer is a free homeowner matching service, not a roofing contractor. In each area we cover, one company holds the spot. Before a roofer gets it, we check that it is:

• A real roofing business, currently operating
• Has a Google Business Profile
• Insured and bonded
• One company per area, and it keeps the spot by performing

That does not replace your own checks. You should still confirm any license your state or city requires and get a written estimate before you sign. How we vet roofers

Enter your ZIP to see if a vetted roofer serves your area. If not yet, you can join the list and we'll reach out when we vet one near you.