What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Roofer?

The Smart Homeowner's Guide to Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor

By Tyler Slade, owner of Slade Roofing and Canyon Lands Insurance

Hiring a roofing contractor is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner will make.

Your roof protects:

• Your family
• Your home
• Your finances
• Your peace of mind

And the quality of the roofing contractor you choose directly impacts how well your roof performs for decades to come.

At Slade Roofing, we were founded with a very specific mission: Helping fix the insurance industry by stopping frivolous claims one wind and hail resistant roof at a time.

Our founder, Tyler Slade, has more than two decades of experience in the insurance industry and still owns Canyon Lands Insurance today. He has taught on the topic of insurance fraud and was recently featured in Korsgaden Insights magazine.

After years of seeing preventable roofing failures, poor workmanship, and unnecessary insurance claims, Tyler created Slade Roofing to help homeowners make smarter long-term roofing decisions.

So what questions should you ask before hiring a roofer? You're going to love how much clarity these questions can give you before signing a contract.

1. What Roofing Material Are You Putting on My Home?

This is one of the most important questions homeowners can ask. The more you understand the roofing system being installed on your home, the more confident you'll feel in your investment.

Ask questions like:

• What shingle are you recommending?
• Why are you recommending it?
• Is it impact resistant?
• What wind rating does it have?
• What fire rating does it have?
• How long is it designed to last?

You're going to love working with a roofing contractor that can confidently explain the differences between roofing systems and help you choose the best long-term solution for your home.

At Slade Roofing, we strongly believe in wind and hail resistant roofing systems because stronger roofing systems create better outcomes for homeowners.

From an insurance perspective, stronger roofs help reduce: future leaks, storm damage, stress, frivolous claims, and long-term repair costs. The more durable the roofing system is, the more protection your home receives over time.

2. What Warranty Comes With the Roof?

A roof warranty tells homeowners a lot about the confidence behind the installation. The more comprehensive the warranty is, the more protected your investment becomes.

Ask questions like:

• What does the workmanship warranty cover?
• What does the manufacturer warranty cover?
• Is the warranty backed by the shingle manufacturer?
• Is it labor and materials?
• How long is the full replacement period?

You're going to love the peace of mind that comes from knowing both the contractor and the manufacturer stand behind the roofing system being installed on your home.

One of the biggest things homeowners discover is that manufacturer-certified contractors can often offer enhanced warranties directly backed by the shingle manufacturer itself. That matters because it creates additional accountability and long-term protection. The more complete the warranty coverage is, the more confidence homeowners tend to feel long after the project is complete.

3. How Long Have You Been in Business?

Longevity matters in roofing. The more established a roofing contractor is, the more confidence homeowners tend to feel throughout the process.

A stable roofing company often has:

• Established crews
• Proven systems
• Strong supplier relationships
• Manufacturer partnerships
• Long-term community trust

You're going to love working with a roofing contractor that plans on being around long after your roof is complete.

Ask questions like:

• How long have you served this area?
• Do you have a physical office locally?
• How long have your crews worked with you?
• Are you licensed and insured?

From both the roofing and insurance side, stable companies tend to create smoother experiences because they are focused on long-term relationships instead of short-term transactions.

4. What Are Your Clients Saying About You?

This may be one of the smartest questions homeowners can ask. Hint: Look at the Google reviews.

The more you research roofing contractors online, the more you'll discover that quality roofing companies consistently have: a high quantity of reviews, strong customer experiences, consistent communication, and positive long-term reputations.

Just imagine hiring a roofing contractor that hundreds of homeowners have publicly said was one of the best contractors they've ever worked with. What are the odds you're going to have a great experience? Pretty high.

Google reviews help homeowners understand: communication, professionalism, reliability, cleanliness, warranty support, and customer experience. The more consistent the feedback is, the more confidence homeowners can have moving forward. Strong reviews also create accountability because companies that value their reputation tend to value customer experience at a very high level.

5. How Resistant Is the Roof to Hail and Wind?

This is one of the smartest questions homeowners can ask - especially in areas that experience severe weather. The more impact resistant the roofing system is, the more protection your home receives over time.

Ask questions like:

• Is this a Class 4 impact resistant shingle?
• What wind rating does this roofing system have?
• How does this roof perform during hailstorms?
• Is this roofing system designed for severe weather?

At Slade Roofing, we strongly believe in wind and hail resistant roofing systems because better roofing systems help homeowners experience better durability, better storm performance, fewer future problems, and greater peace of mind.

6. Are You Certified by the Manufacturer?

One of the biggest secrets in the roofing industry is that major shingle manufacturers carefully vet roofing contractors through certification programs. These certifications matter because manufacturers want their roofing systems installed correctly.

The more a contractor invests in manufacturer training and certifications, the more likely they are to: follow proper installation methods, understand roofing systems thoroughly, stay current on best practices, and qualify for enhanced warranties.

Ask questions like:

• What manufacturer certifications do you hold?
• What level of certification do you have?
• Does the manufacturer back your workmanship?
• What enhanced warranty options are available?

7. Would You Recommend Recovering My Roof?

This is an extremely important question. And honestly, the answer can tell you a lot about the contractor you're dealing with.

Roofing professionals should approach your home the same way a cardiologist approaches your health: with professionalism, expertise, and long-term thinking.

A quality roofing contractor should evaluate:

• The condition of the decking
• Ventilation
• Moisture issues
• Existing roofing layers
• Structural concerns
• Long-term roof performance

Putting a new roof over an old roof can create major long-term problems if the underlying system is failing. For example: rotted decking still needs to be repaired, moisture issues still need to be addressed, ventilation problems still affect roof performance, and manufacturer warranties often require proper installation methods to remain valid.

The more thoroughly the roofing system is evaluated upfront, the more protected the homeowner becomes long term. Just imagine the peace of mind that comes from knowing the roof was installed correctly, the decking was inspected properly, the roofing system was designed for long-term performance, the workmanship is backed, and the manufacturer stands behind the product. That creates confidence.

8. Where Do You Buy Your Roofing Materials?

Here's one of the best insider tips homeowners almost never hear. Ask the contractor where they purchase their roofing materials. Then visit that roofing supply company and ask to speak with a manager.

Supply house managers work with roofing contractors every single day. They know which contractors operate professionally, which companies communicate well, which roofers stay organized, which businesses have long-term stability, and which contractors consistently take care of customers.

Ask questions like:

• If these estimates were all the same price, who would you choose for your own home?
• Which contractor has the strongest reputation with your team?
• Who consistently operates professionally?

The more respected a contractor is within the roofing industry itself, the more confidence homeowners can have in their decision.

Final Thoughts: Smart Questions Create Better Roofing Decisions

The more questions homeowners ask upfront, the more confidence they tend to have throughout the roofing process. Just imagine hiring a roofing contractor that has been vetted by hundreds of homeowners, roofing supply houses, major manufacturers, and long-term community relationships.

You're going to love working with a roofing company that values your experience, protects your investment, and stands behind their work long after the project is complete.

Just imagine a world where 95% of roof claims are eliminated. That is our mission at Slade Roofing.