When your roof is on the line, the right questions save you money, time, and a ton of stress. Below is the exact checklist I use with homeowners across Greater Houston from quick repairs in Katy to full replacements after hailstorms. Use it on phone or print it for estimates. If any contractor can’t answer these clearly, that’s your red flag.
Start Here: How to Use This Roofer Checklist (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)
I recommend a simple 3-quote process: book three inspections, ask the same questions, compare written answers side by side, and don’t pay a cent until you understand scope, price, and warranties. In Houston’s heat, humidity, and sudden storms, small details (ventilation, flashing, underlayment) make the difference between a roof that lasts and one that leaks next spring.
In our recent Katy projects, I’ve seen homeowners under-ask about crew supervision and cleanup two areas that directly impact your experience. Keep this checklist open while you interview roofers and insist on specifics, not vague assurances.
Your goal: get a written, itemized proposal that maps to these questions and shows proof for every claim (licenses, insurance, references, photos).
Start Here: How to Use This Roofer Checklist (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)
Ask:
- Can I see your Certificate of Insurance listing general liability and workers’ comp?
- Who pulls the permit and schedules the city/county inspections?
- Are you local to Greater Houston/Katy? How long have you served this area?
What to look for:
- A current COI (not expired) with your property address as certificate holder.
- A clear plan for permits and HOA coordination if applicable.
- Local presence with recent projects you can drive by.
From our own Houston jobs, I’ve learned to have the insurer send the COI directly to the homeowner that extra step stops “edited” documents and protects you if someone gets hurt on site.
Estimates That Make Sense: Scope, Line Items, and Payment Schedule
Ask:
- Can you provide a written, line-item estimate?
- What’s included for tear-off/disposal, underlayment, flashing, vents, drip edge, decking repairs, and magnet sweep?
- What contingencies could change the price (e.g., rotten decking per sheet)?
- What’s the payment schedule and final lien waiver process?
Pro tip: An honest roofer explains where each dollar goes. In a recent tear-off near Cinco Ranch, our estimate listed materials (shingle brand/grade), underlayment type, linear feet of flashing, number of pipe boots, ridge ventilation, and dumpster fees. We also provided a not-to-exceed price for decking repairs to avoid surprises.
Red flag: large up-front deposits, cash-only terms, or “we’ll find a way to make insurance pay for everything” without documentation.
Warranties Decoded: Manufacturer vs. Workmanship (What Really Matters in Houston)
Ask:
- What’s your workmanship warranty (labor), in writing?
- What manufacturer warranty comes with the shingles and accessories?
- Are there wind/hail limitations or maintenance requirements to keep it valid?
- Is the warranty transferable if I sell?
In Southeast Texas, wind uplift, UV exposure, and sudden hail are common. I always explain the difference: manufacturer covers defects in materials; workmanship covers how the system was installed. If a roofer can’t show both, keep looking.
Warranties Decoded: Manufacturer vs. Workmanship (What Really Matters in Houston)
Ask:
- What’s your workmanship warranty (labor), in writing?
- What manufacturer warranty comes with the shingles and accessories?
- Are there wind/hail limitations or maintenance requirements to keep it valid?
- Is the warranty transferable if I sell?
In Southeast Texas, wind uplift, UV exposure, and sudden hail are common. I always explain the difference: manufacturer covers defects in materials; workmanship covers how the system was installed. If a roofer can’t show both, keep looking.
Crew, Supervision & Subcontractors: Who’s on Your Roof and Why It Matters
Ask:
- Do you use in-house crews or subs? Who is the on-site supervisor?
- How many workers will be on the roof, and how do you ensure safety?
- What does daily cleanup look like? (Expect a magnet sweep around driveways and play areas.)
On our Houston installs, we assign a single project lead you can text for updates. That person signs off on protection of landscaping, tarping, and end-of-day cleanup. Quality lives or dies in supervision get names and phone numbers.
Materials & Installation Details: Tear-Off vs. Overlay, Ventilation, Flashing, Clean-Up
Ask:
- Are you doing a full tear-off or an overlay and why? (In our climate, tear-off is usually the smarter long-term choice.)
- Which shingle grade and underlayment are you proposing?
- How will you address chimney/valley flashing, pipe boots, drip edge, and starter/ridge?
- How will you ensure proper attic ventilation for Houston heat?
I like to walk homeowners through photos from similar roofs we’ve done in Katy and West Houston. Seeing the before/after flashing around chimneys and skylights helps you judge whether a contractor sweats the details.
Timeline & Communication: Weather Delays, Daily Updates, Final Walkthrough
Ask:
- What’s the start date, duration, and plan for weather delays?
- How will you communicate daily (text, photos, portal)?
- Will we do a final walkthrough and punch list together?
A realistic schedule for a full replacement is typically 1–2 days for an average-size roof, with buffer for pop-up storms. In our process, we send morning updates, mid-day progress photos, and a final checklist with attic/yard checks.
Red Flags to Walk Away From (and Green Flags to Move Forward)
Red flags:
- No proof of insurance, vague proposals, pressure to sign “today only,” refusal to pull permits, storm-chasers without local references.
Green flags:
- Clear documentation, addresses of recent jobs in your ZIP, transparent line items, named supervisor, written warranties, lien waiver at final payment.
Local Proof: References, Photos, and Storm-Damage Experience in Southeast Texas
Ask:
- Can you share three recent local addresses I can see from the street?
- Do you have before/after photos of similar roofs (pitch/material/complexity)?
- What’s your experience with wind/hail claims and meeting adjusters?
From our last month of Katy inspections, homeowners told me street-viewable references were the most confidence-boosting proof. Pair that with Google reviews and a quick drive-by at lunch you’ll know who’s real.
Next Step: Get a Free Roof Inspection in Houston
If you want help applying this checklist, book a free roof inspection. We’ll document your roof with photos, explain options in plain English, and provide a clear, itemized estimate. (On your site, link this CTA to your Roof Repair, Roof Replacement, or Emergency Roof Repair pages.)
FAQ: Quick Answers to the Most Common Questions
A current Certificate of Insurance with liability and workers’ comp, naming your address as the certificate holder.
In our climate, a tear-off lets us inspect decking, fix hidden issues, and install proper underlayment/ventilation usually the better long-term value.
Line up identical scopes: shingle brand/grade, underlayment type, flashing details, ventilation, debris disposal, decking allowances, and warranty terms.
Reasonable deposit (if any), milestone or final payment after walkthrough, and a lien waiver upon final payment.
Yes ask how the contractor documents damage (photos, chalk test, slope diagrams) and coordinates with adjusters. Experience here speeds everything up.
Conclusions
Hiring a roofer doesn’t have to feel risky. Ask clear questions, demand written answers, and verify proof. In Greater Houston/Katy, the roof that lasts is the one installed with proper ventilation, flashing, and workmanship not just a nice shingle. Use this checklist, compare three written bids, and choose the contractor who communicates like a partner, not a salesperson.