Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before You Sign Anything

Most roofing bids arrive as a single number on a one-page form. The homeowner signs, a crew shows up, and what follows is either a clean job or a series of surprises: damaged decking billed at $80 per sheet with no prior disclosure, an unlicensed subcontractor doing the actual work, or a manufacturer warranty voided because installation was done wrong.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors identifies two steps most homeowners skip and most commonly regret: getting written estimates from at least three contractors and verifying each contractor's license status before any money changes hands.

These questions cover both — and everything in between.

1. Are you licensed in Arizona for residential roofing?

Every Arizona contractor doing residential roofing must hold an active R-42 license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, which covers installation and repair of shingles, tile, metal, foam (SPF), underlayment, and flashing. Verify the license yourself at roc.az.gov — the search returns license status, bond information, expiration date, and any complaints or disciplinary history. A contractor who won't provide their ROC number before a meeting should be removed from your list.

2. Can you show me your certificate of insurance?

You need two types of coverage: general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Per Owens Corning's contractor network standards, reputable contractors carry a minimum of $1 million in general liability per occurrence. Workers' comp matters because without it, an injured crew member can file a claim against your homeowner's policy. Request the certificate before work starts and confirm it is not expired.

3. Who is actually doing the work — your crew or subcontractors?

Licensed contractors may subcontract specific trades, but they must disclose this in writing. The BBB advises that your estimate and contract specify whether any portion of the work will be subcontracted. In Arizona, the primary licensed contractor is responsible for the subcontractor's quality — but unlicensed subcontractors appear frequently during post-monsoon demand surges, and homeowners have no ROC recourse if the primary contractor distances themselves from the sub's work.

4. What is included in the written estimate, line by line?

A legitimate estimate is not one number — it is a breakdown. Per ROC Arizona's before-hire guidance, the estimate and contract must include a detailed description of every project element, the price, permit responsibility, and other relevant terms. At minimum, ask that the estimate name: the specific underlayment product and weight, shingle brand and warranty tier, number of squares being replaced, tear-off and disposal cost, permit fees, and the per-sheet cost for decking replacement if needed.

5. Who pulls the permit, and does your bid include it?

Permits are legally the property owner's responsibility in Arizona — but most licensed contractors include obtaining and paying for them in the contract, per ROC Arizona. If a contractor says a full replacement does not need a permit, that is either incorrect or they are planning to skip the required inspection. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Tempe all require permits for full replacements. Confirm permit responsibility is written into your contract before signing.

6. What do the workmanship warranty and manufacturer warranty each cover?

These are two separate documents with different scopes. The manufacturer's product warranty covers shingle defects — and as the Texas Department of Insurance notes, most manufacturer warranties are prorated, meaning the manufacturer's liability shrinks as the years pass. The workmanship warranty covers installation errors like improper flashing, incorrect nail placement, or inadequate ventilation — and that is what matters when a leak appears 18 months after a clean-looking job. Industry-standard workmanship warranties run 2–10 years. Get both documents before you sign, and read what voids coverage.

7. What underlayment will you use, and why does it matter in Arizona?

Standard 15-lb felt paper dries out and cracks within 5 years in Arizona under sustained UV load and roof-surface temperatures that regularly exceed 150°F in summer. Any legitimate bid in Arizona should specify a synthetic underlayment by brand and weight. The NRCA recommends that contractors explain all system components and why they are specified. A contractor who cannot name the underlayment product in their material order is using whatever is cheapest or has not thought through the spec.

8. What happens if you find damaged decking during tear-off?

On Arizona homes over 20 years old, UV-baked OSB and plywood frequently need replacement — and this triggers a mid-job change order if not addressed upfront. A reliable contractor quotes a base price plus a stated per-sheet cost for decking replacement. Current Phoenix metro rates run $65–$85 per sheet. Any bid that says they will figure it out once they start, with no stated rate, is setting up a conversation mid-job when you cannot walk away.

9. How will you protect my property and clean up when you are done?

Roofing generates significant debris: old shingles, nails, broken tile, and underlayment. Ask specifically about tarps over HVAC units, landscaping, and patios; magnetic nail rolling after completion; and who covers window or screen damage from falling material. Per the BBB, cleanup plans and debris removal responsibility should be explicitly stated in the contract. "We'll clean up when we're done" is not a contract term.

10. Do you have references from similar jobs in my city or HOA community?

This question reveals two things: whether they have installed the specific system you need (foam and tile require different certifications than shingle), and whether they understand local HOA color and material restrictions. In East Valley HOA communities, using an unapproved material or color can trigger mandatory re-roofing at the homeowner's expense. Ask for two or three references from jobs in the last 18 months — and call them.

What Arizona Law Requires in a Roofing Contract

Arizona statute ARS 32-1158 requires a residential construction contract to include a description of the work, estimated start and completion dates, payment schedule, and warranty terms. The ROC adds that price, permit responsibility, and subcontractor disclosure should also appear. A contract missing these elements is legally incomplete — and a contractor presenting one is either inexperienced or intentionally vague.

On payment: a reasonable deposit for a licensed Arizona roofer is 10–30% tied to material ordering. Any demand for 50% or more before materials arrive or work begins is a warning sign — particularly for contractors who approached you unsolicited after a monsoon storm. For more on that pattern, see our guide to roofing scams in Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bids should I get for a roof replacement in Arizona? Get at least three, per both the Arizona ROC and BBB. Three bids let you identify whether one is unusually low due to excluded scope, unusually high without justification, or within a reasonable competitive range. For a typical 1,700–2,200 sq ft Phoenix metro home, a legitimate shingle replacement should fall between $9,000 and $15,000 depending on material tier. Our free cost estimator gives you a baseline before your first meeting.

Does an R-42 license cover all roof types in Arizona? Yes — the R-42 residential roofing license covers shingles, tile, foam (SPF), metal, underlayment, and flashing. Some systems require manufacturer certification on top of the ROC license. GAF Master Elite and Owens Corning Platinum, for example, are contractor designations earned through manufacturer training and installation volume requirements. These are not substitutes for the R-42 but indicate additional system-specific experience.

What if a contractor damages my property during the job? If the contractor is licensed and bonded, file a complaint through the Arizona ROC at roc.az.gov. Document everything with photos, written communications, and your signed contract. If the contractor is unlicensed, you have no ROC recourse — which is the core reason the ROC advises verifying license status before signing anything. See our guide to negotiating a roof insurance claim if property damage triggers a homeowner's insurance question.

Is it legal for a roofer to waive my insurance deductible in Arizona? No. Offering to pay or absorb a homeowner's deductible as an inducement to sign is prohibited under Arizona law and constitutes insurance fraud. This is one of the most common post-monsoon scam tactics in the Valley.

What is the difference between a roofing estimate and a roofing contract? An estimate is a proposal — it becomes a contract when both parties sign it. In Arizona, the signed contract must meet the minimum elements required under ARS 32-1158. Never treat a signed estimate as legally complete unless it includes start and completion dates, a payment schedule, and explicit warranty terms. If it does not, request a formal contract document before any work begins or deposit is paid.