What questions should you ask a roofer before getting a new roof?
Short answer. Ask who the company is and who will be on your roof, how payment and insurance claims are handled, what the warranty covers and for how long, and what happens if bad decking turns up. The answers, and how willingly they are given, tell you more than the price does.
About the company
- How long have you been roofing in this area, and where is your office?
- Can I see proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage?
- Who will be on my roof, your own crew or a subcontractor, and who is the lead on site?
- Are you certified by the shingle manufacturer, and which warranties can you register?
About the contract and money
- What is the deposit, and when is the balance due? Do you offer financing?
- Is decking priced per sheet, and will I see photos of every sheet replaced?
- Who pulls the permit, and who handles HOA approval?
- If this depends on an insurance claim, how does cancellation work if the claim is denied? Georgia law gives you that right.
About the warranty
- How long is your workmanship warranty, and what voids it?
- Which manufacturer warranty will the roof carry, and will you register it in my name?
- If a leak shows up in year three, who do I call and how fast do you come?
About a storm claim
- Will someone from your company meet the adjuster, and how do you handle supplements for missed items?
- Will you pay or waive my deductible? In Georgia the only right answer is no.
For choosing between bids, see how to choose a roofing contractor in Georgia and roofing warranties explained.