Questions to Ask a Roofing Company

The most important questions to ask a roofing company before hiring cover four things: their credentials, their process, their warranties, and their people. A contractor who answers these questions clearly, confidently, and without hesitation is demonstrating exactly the kind of professionalism your home deserves. One who deflects, gets vague, or pressures you to skip past them is telling you something important. In Florida’s competitive roofing market, asking the right questions before signing anything is your strongest protection as a homeowner.

Here are the nine questions every Treasure Coast homeowner should ask before hiring a roofing company.

Why the Right Questions Make All the Difference

Most roofing mistakes don’t happen on the roof. They happen at the kitchen table when a homeowner signs a contract without fully understanding what they’ve agreed to.

A prepared homeowner who walks into an estimate with specific questions gets a very different experience than one who relies on the contractor to volunteer everything. Good contractors welcome these questions — because confident, informed homeowners make for smoother, more satisfying projects on both sides.

Use this list at every estimate. Compare not just the numbers, but the quality of the answers.

9 Questions to Ask a Roofing Company Before You Hire

1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Florida?

This is non-negotiable and should be the very first question. Every roofing contractor in Florida must hold a valid state license — verifiable through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Ask for their license number and certificate of insurance covering general liability and workers’ compensation. If they hesitate or can’t produce documentation, stop the conversation there.

2. What Manufacturer Certifications Do You Hold?

Certifications from brands like GAF and Owens Corning aren’t just marketing — they directly affect the quality of warranty coverage available to you. Contractors without certifications can’t offer enhanced warranty programs. Solace Roofing is a GAF Master Elite® Contractor and Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, which means our customers have access to some of the strongest warranty protection in the industry. Learn more about what sets us apart.

3. Will You Handle the Permit?

In Florida, a permit is legally required for every roof replacement — and your contractor should pull it in your name as the homeowner. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to save time or money, walk away. No permit means no inspection, no code verification, and potential complications with your homeowner’s insurance and future home sale.

4. What Exactly Is Included in the Scope of Work?

Get specific. Ask whether the quote includes tear-off of the existing roof, decking inspection and repairs, underlayment type and brand, flashing replacement, ridge vent installation, cleanup, and haul-away. Vague scopes lead to surprise charges. A reputable contractor itemizes everything in writing before you sign.

5. What Workmanship Warranty Do You Offer?

Manufacturer warranties cover material defects — but they don’t cover installation errors. That’s your contractor’s responsibility. Ask how long their workmanship warranty lasts and what it covers. Industry standard is 5 years; stronger contractors offer 10 to 15. Solace Roofing backs every roof replacement with a 10- to 15-year workmanship guarantee on top of full manufacturer coverage.

6. Do You Use Your Own Crew or Subcontractors?

This question matters more than most homeowners realize. Companies that subcontract labor often have less control over installation quality and crew behavior on your property. Ask who will physically be on your roof, whether they’re employees or subs, and whether the same crew stays on the job from start to finish.

7. What Does the Payment Schedule Look Like?

A standard roofing contract involves a deposit at signing, a progress payment at a project milestone, and a final payment upon satisfactory completion. Any contractor demanding full payment upfront is a red flag. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, homeowners should never pay in full before work is complete and inspected.

8. How Will You Protect My Property During the Job?

A quality roofing crew treats your property with respect — covering landscaping, protecting vehicles from falling debris, using dump trailers instead of dumpsters to protect your driveway, and performing a thorough magnet sweep for nails at the end of each day. Ask what their property protection protocol looks like before work begins. The answer reveals a lot about their crew culture.

9. What Is the Estimated Timeline From Start to Finish?

A typical residential roof replacement takes one to three days depending on size, complexity, and material. But delays happen — weather, permit processing, material lead times. Ask for an estimated start date, a projected completion window, and how they communicate with you if something changes. A contractor who keeps you informed throughout the project is one worth working with long term.

The Right Contractor Welcomes Every One of These Questions

Asking the right questions to a roofing company before hiring isn’t about being difficult — it’s about being the kind of informed homeowner who ends up with the right contractor, the right roof, and zero regrets. Every question on this list has a straightforward answer from a contractor who knows what they’re doing.

At Solace Roofing, we welcome these conversations. Schedule your free roof assessment and bring every question on this list — we’ll have an answer for each one.

Solace Roofing | Craftsmen Who Care