44 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor (Checklist)

Not sure what to ask a roofer before you hand over a deposit? Start here. Before hiring a roofing contractor, ask these 44 questions to protect yourself from substandard work, hidden costs, and warranty gaps. A trustworthy contractor will welcome every question on this list — if they dodge or get defensive, that tells you everything you need to know. This list is based on our experience as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor serving Maryland's Eastern Shore, where we've seen the damage caused by homeowners who hired without asking enough questions.

Whether you're comparing bids for Cambridge, MD roof replacement or roof replacement in Salisbury, bring these questions to each estimate.

Quick checklist: the 16 questions that matter most

If you only have ten minutes with a contractor, ask a roofer these sixteen. Print this list and take it with you to every estimate.

Credentials & Licensing (Questions 1–8)

What is your Maryland MHIC license number? Verify at dllr.state.md.us — Maryland requires home improvement contractors to be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
Do you carry general liability insurance? What are your coverage limits? Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the contractor's insurance carrier or agent rather than forwarded by the contractor.
Do you carry workers' compensation insurance? Without it, YOU could be liable if a worker is injured on your property.
What manufacturer certifications do you hold? [Owens Corning Platinum Preferred or Preferred: the tier determines which Owens Corning extended warranties you can get.
How long have you been in business on the Eastern Shore?
Do you have a physical office I can visit? Storm chasers operate from trucks and hotel rooms.
Are you licensed in Delaware if my property crosses the state line? Important for Delmar and border-area homes.
What is your BBB rating and do you have any unresolved complaints?

Pricing & Contract (Questions 9–16)

Will you provide a written estimate with line-item pricing?
What is included in the quoted price? Tear-off, disposal, underlayment, shingles, flashing, ridge vent, cleanup, permits — all should be itemized.
What is NOT included that might add cost? Ask how decking repair is handled.
What is your payment schedule?. Never pay 50%+ upfront.
Do you offer financing? 0% options are available — ask about terms and qualifications.
How do you handle change orders if additional work is needed?
Is there a cancellation clause? What are the terms?
Will you match or beat a competitor's written estimate? Price isn't everything — but the answer tells you about their confidence. Three written estimates is the practical number to compare, and all three should quote the same shingle line, underlayment, and ventilation scope — otherwise you are comparing different roofs rather than different prices. A bid far below the others usually excludes something: decking allowance, code upgrades, or crew supervision.

Materials & Installation (Questions 17–28)

What shingle brand and product do you recommend, and why?
What wind rating do the recommended shingles carry?. Owens Corning Duration with SureNail meets this standard.
Do the shingles have algae protection?. StreakGuard prevents black streaks.
What underlayment do you use — felt paper or synthetic? Synthetic is superior and should be standard.
Where do you install ice and water shield? Eaves, valleys, and around all penetrations — minimum.
What type of ridge vent do you install?
How do you handle flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents?
Do you use hand-nailing or a nail gun? Both are acceptable when done properly — the key is correct placement in the nailing zone.
What is your nail pattern — how many nails per shingle?
How do you ensure proper attic ventilation?
Will you replace damaged decking plywood? At what cost per sheet? For decking replacement pricing, see our roofing cost guide...
Do you install drip edge along all eaves and rakes?

Warranty (Questions 29–34)

What warranty do you offer on materials?
What warranty do you offer on workmanship?
Who backs the workmanship warranty — you or the manufacturer? Owens Corning backs workmanship under Platinum Protection, available only from Platinum Preferred contractors...
Is the warranty transferable to new homeowners? [Platinum Protection can be transferred one time to the next owner of the home.
What voids the warranty?
Can I see the warranty documentation before signing?

Process & Timeline (Questions 35–40)

When can you start?
How long will the project take? Most jobs are done in 1 to 2 days, depending on the scope and quantity. See roof replacements.
Who will be my on-site project manager? How do I reach them?
Will you use your own employees or subcontractors?
Do you handle building permits?
What happens if weather delays the project?

Cleanup & After (Questions 41–44)

How do you protect my landscaping and property during installation?
Do you use magnetic nail sweeps after the project?
What does your final cleanup include?
Will you do a final walkthrough with me before considering the job complete?

What Good Answers Sound Like on Crew, Schedule, and Communication

. Ask specifically about coastal experience.

On the schedule (questions 35–36): we usually install roofs 1 to 2 weeks after you sign. Most of the materials are in stock, and the main thing that holds up a roof replacement is weather. Most jobs are done in 1 to 2 days, depending on the scope and quantity.

On communication (question 37): you should have one named point of contact for the whole project rather than a rotating call center, daily updates on multi-day jobs, photos of key installation stages, and immediate notification if anything unexpected turns up.

Why This List Matters

A contractor who answers all 44 questions confidently and transparently is a contractor you can trust. At Precision Exteriors, we welcome every one of these questions — Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, BBB A+ with zero unresolved complaints, MHIC #166640, general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and written line-item estimates.

Verify These Five Credentials Before You Call

Every Maryland roofer you consider should clear five checks. 1. Maryland MHIC license — legally required for home improvement work. Verify license status at dllr.state.md.us. 2. General liability insurance — ask for the certificate of insurance rather than a verbal claim. 3. Workers' compensation insurance. 4. Manufacturer certifications** — verify them directly at the manufacturer's contractor locator, not just on the contractor's own website. Owens Corning's tiers are Platinum Preferred (the top tier), Preferred, and Contractor Rewards, and the tier determines which extended warranties a contractor can offer. 5. BBB rating and complaint history** — the letter grade matters, but patterns in the complaints matter more.

Pre-Contact Research Checklist

Before you even schedule an estimate: verify the MHIC license online, check the BBB rating and the complaint detail, read detailed Google reviews looking for recurring issues with cleanup, communication, or warranty service, and confirm the company lists a physical office address. Precision Exteriors operates two offices — Cambridge (118 Riverside Dr) and Salisbury (1525 Edgemore Ave, Suite 10) — and holds MHIC #166640, DE #2021867854, and PA #189209.

What Should Happen During the Estimate Visit

The estimator should inspect the roof from the exterior — walking it when safely accessible, or using binoculars or drone photography — and should also inspect the attic for decking condition, ventilation, and moisture signs from below. You should receive a written estimate with line-item pricing rather than a single lump sum. The estimate should specify material brand, product name, and color, and should state whether decking repair is included or billed separately. Tear-off, disposal, permits, and cleanup all belong in the total. Nobody should pressure you to sign on the spot.

Red Flags — Walk Away If You See These🚩 No MHIC license number, or one that can't be verified online. 🚩 A large up-front deposit demand. 🚩 Verbal-only or single-number handwritten quotes. 🚩 No physical office address. 🚩 A knock on your door after a storm. 🚩 A price dramatically below every other bid — corners get cut somewhere. 🚩 Refusal to provide three or more local references. 🚩 Defensiveness about insurance, licensing, or warranty details. 🚩 "This price is only good today" urgency tactics. 🚩 Out-of-state plates on the work truck. 🚩 Asking you to pull the building permit.

Local Contractor vs. Storm Chaser

Local contractors keep permanent offices in the community, hold certifications that take years to earn, have verifiable local references, and will still be here for warranty service decades from now. Precision Exteriors was founded in 2021. Storm chasers arrive from out of state after major weather events, sign contracts fast at low prices, and leave the area long before warranty issues surface.

Why Certification Level Decides Your Warranty

An uncertified contractor can't offer Owens Corning's System Protection, Preferred Protection or Platinum Protection warranties, so your shingles carry only Owens Corning's standard product limited warranty. Only a Platinum Preferred contractor can offer optional Platinum Protection on qualifying full-system roofs: 50-year material coverage, lifetime workmanship coverage for the original owner (non-prorated for the first 25 years) backed by Owens Corning rather than the installer alone, and a one-time transfer to the next owner. If the contractor goes out of business, that backing still stands.

Contract Review Checklist

Before you sign, confirm in writing: exact materials by brand, product, and color; total cost with line-item breakdown; payment schedule; start date and estimated completion; warranty terms for materials and workmanship with who backs each; the change-order process; cancellation terms; permit responsibility (the contractor's); cleanup and damage-repair responsibility; and the contractor's MHIC license number printed on the contract, which Maryland law requires.

After the Project Checklist

Walk the property with your contractor for a final inspection. Confirm nail sweeps were completed and gutters cleared. Collect warranty documentation in writing, permit sign-off from the county inspector, and before-and-after photos for your records and insurance file. Make sure you know exactly how to reach the contractor for warranty service.

See our roofing cost guide for current pricing on every material.

Call (443) 675-6485 to put us to the test, or get your free estimate.

44 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor (Printable Checklist)