Most homeowners only replace their roof once or twice in their lifetime, which means the contractor you pick matters enormously. This guide covers everything you need to know to hire a roofer — checking licenses, verifying insurance, understanding manufacturer certifications, spotting red flags, and asking the right questions.
Why Must You Verify a Roofing Contractor's License?
Every roofing contractor must hold a valid state contractor license to operate legally. In New York, professionals need a NY General Contractor license to perform exterior work. Homeowners can verify these credentials directly through the NY Department of State license lookup online.
Hiring an unlicensed contractor means you have no legal protection if something goes wrong with the installation.
What Insurance Should a Roofing Contractor Have?
A legitimate licensed roofing contractor carries two specific types of insurance: General Liability (minimum $1M) and Workers' Compensation. If a contractor operates without workers' compensation coverage, the homeowner can become liable for any injuries that happen on the property.
Always ask the contractor to provide a Certificate of Insurance. A legitimate roofing company provides this document within 24 hours.
Never accept verbal assurances about insurance. Get the official certificate before moving forward.
How Do Manufacturer Certifications Benefit Homeowners?
Contractors holding a GAF Master Elite certification represent the top 3% of US contractors. This elite status unlocks the 50-year Golden Pledge warranty, which GAF backs directly. Other critical credentials include the Owens Corning Preferred status (50-year non-prorated Platinum Protection warranty) and the VELUX 5-Star certification.
The VELUX 5-Star designation is required for full skylight warranty coverage — most skylight leaks come from non-certified installations. A certified contractor costs no more to hire, but the warranty protection they offer is significantly stronger.
What Red Flags Should You Watch For?
- Business has no physical address or only lists a PO box
- Demanding more than a 10–15% upfront deposit
- Cannot provide a Certificate of Insurance within 24 hours
- Refuses to provide a written contract or written estimate
- Salesperson pressures you to sign a contract the same day
- Appears door-to-door immediately after a major storm (storm chasers)
What Questions Should You Ask Before Signing?
- Are you licensed in New York State, and can I see your license number?
- Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance today?
- Who will actually do the work — your own employees or outside subcontractors?
- What manufacturer certifications do you hold?
- What does the roofing warranty cover, and who backs it — the contractor or the manufacturer?
- How long have you operated in this specific county?
Why Choose a Local Contractor Over a Regional Chain?
Local contractors know the local building departments, specific permit requirements, and common housing issues in your immediate area. Regional chains often use subcontractors — meaning the company you hired is not the actual crew working on your roof.
A local contractor remains accountable in a way a regional chain does not, primarily because they live and work in the exact same community as you.
Frequently Asked Questions
In New York State, roofing contractors must hold a valid NY General Contractor license. Some counties and municipalities may require additional local licenses. Always verify the license number directly through the NY Department of State before you sign any contract.
At minimum, look for $1M general liability insurance and full workers' compensation coverage for all employees. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance — not just verbal confirmation. If a worker suffers an injury on your property and the contractor lacks workers' comp, the courts could hold you liable.
GAF Master Elite is a certification held by the top 3% of roofing contractors in the United States. It requires the business to maintain proper licensing, insurance, and strict training standards. The most important benefit for homeowners: it qualifies you for a 50-year Golden Pledge warranty backed directly by GAF — not just the contractor.
Yes — get at least three written estimates. Comparing estimates helps you understand the scope of work, material quality, and whether one contractor cuts corners. Be cautious of estimates that sit significantly lower than the others, as they usually reflect lower-quality materials or missing scope items.
A complete roofing contract must include: the exact scope of work, materials specified by brand and product line, start and completion dates, a payment schedule, warranty terms (both labor and manufacturer), and a clear process for handling unexpected conditions like damaged decking discovered during tear-off.
