Not all states require roofing contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then they might have to pass a written examination in their specialty. A number of cities also require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details.

A roofing contractor may also answer this question by telling you he has a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the roofing contractor’s competence.

On the other hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.

1. Ask for 10 (yes, 10) job-site locations in your area that you can visit.
2. Ask for photos of completed work, if available. Keep in mind, however, that many roofers will not have photos.
3. Request a list of names and phone numbers of recent customers. However, realize that the roofer can legitimately refuse to give a long list–many customers may not want their names released.

• Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not more valuable than shorter warranties. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his warranty.

• The roofer will warrant his workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warranties the roofing material against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover the shingle system. Understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty pertaining to the specific shingle products you are considering.

Usually, most problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the roofing contractor or manufacturer is more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty.
Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable roofing contractor usually will want to stand behind his work.

• Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise. Request a referral from a job that involved a complaint.
• Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case.
• Ask if his contractor’s license has ever been suspended and why

Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the roofing contractors whom you have interviewed. Many roofing contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, to test your roofing contractor’s reputation.