Picking the right roofer matters more than picking the material, the
color, or the brand. A great installer makes a budget shingle roof
last 25 years. A bad installer makes a premium tile roof leak in 18
months.
Here are the 12 questions to ask every roofer you bid with — and
what good answers look like.
1. What's your AZ ROC license number?
Good answer: A 7-digit number, both R-42 (or B-1) and active.
Red flag: Hesitation, "I work under [other person's] license,"
or a number that doesn't verify on https://roc.az.gov.
2. How long have you been licensed in Yavapai or Coconino county?
Good answer: 5+ years, with a specific business address you can
verify.
Red flag: Recently licensed, out-of-state main office,
"we just opened up here."
3. Are you bonded and insured?
Good answer: $15,000+ ROC surety bond, $1M+ general liability
insurance, workers' comp on all employees. Will provide certificates
on request.
Red flag: Vague answers, "we're working on it," or only a
business liability policy with no workers' comp.
4. Will you pull the permit?
Good answer: Yes, in their name, included in the quote price.
They handle all permit + inspection scheduling.
Red flag: "We don't pull permits on residential" (illegal in
AZ for most reroof work). "You can pull it as the homeowner"
(legal but homeowner now liable for code violations).
5. Who exactly will be on the roof?
Good answer: Named project manager + named installation crew,
with phone numbers. Not subcontracted out.
Red flag: "We have crews," "Sometimes we have crews," "I'll
let you know on install day."
6. What manufacturer certifications do you hold?
Good answer: GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum
Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster — at least one
top-tier certification with current status.
Red flag: "We use the products," "We've installed them for
years," but no actual certification.
7. What warranty does the manufacturer offer?
Good answer: Specific warranty document, typically 30–50 years
on materials, with system-warranty extensions if installed by a
certified installer.
Red flag: "We give a 50-year warranty" (the contractor is not
the warrantor — the manufacturer is). Or vague "lifetime"
promises.
8. What's your workmanship warranty?
Good answer: 5–10 years in writing on workmanship, transferable
to next homeowner if you sell. Specific scope (what it covers,
what it doesn't).
Red flag: 1-year workmanship warranty. "Industry standard"
without specifics.
9. Can you show me 3 jobs in my area completed in the last year?
Good answer: Specific addresses, photos, and homeowner contact
info for at least 3 nearby jobs. Will arrange a visit if requested.
Red flag: General photos with no addresses, "we work all over
the state," no local references.
10. What deposit do you require?
Good answer: 10–30 % at signing, max $1,000 (per AZ ROC rule),
progress payments tied to completion milestones.
Red flag: "50 % to order materials" (over the legal limit),
"We need full materials cost upfront" (illegal split), or "All
cash up front for a discount" (the disappear move).
11. What's NOT in this quote?
Good answer: Specific exclusions listed. Common: HVAC removal
/reinstall, satellite dish removal, deck replacement beyond X
sq ft, special-order materials.
Red flag: "Everything's included" with no exclusions listed.
There are always exclusions; if they don't disclose, change
orders will hit you mid-project.
12. What's your timeline for completion?
Good answer: Specific start date, specific duration (typical:
3–7 days for shingle, 5–10 for tile, 5–8 for metal), specific
completion date with weather contingency clause.
Red flag: "We'll fit you in," "Sometime in the next month,"
no written timeline.
What good contractors do that bad ones don't
- Detailed line-item quotes — every component priced separately
- Manufacturer specifications included in the contract
- Sample boards — physical samples of the actual product
- Engineering review for code-required items (snow load,
structural)
- Daily cleanup — magnetic sweeps, no nails left on driveway
- Weekly progress photos — emailed during the project
- Final walk-through — together, with photo documentation
What bad contractors do
- Round-number quotes ($20,000 flat with no breakdown)
- Verbal promises ("don't worry, we'll handle it")
- Pressure to sign today ("this price expires tonight")
- AOB requests (Assignment of Benefits — never sign)
- No written warranty document ("our word is good")
- Subcontract everything ("our crew will be there")
- No physical office (UPS Store address, residential address)
The "three-bid rule" still applies
Even after vetting, get three bids from licensed contractors.
What you'll see:
- Lowest bid is often missing scope (no underlayment upgrade,
no flashing replacement, etc.)
- Highest bid is often padded for premium service or for the
contractor's overhead
- Middle bid usually wins
Read each bid line by line. If one is significantly under the
others, ask what's missing. If it's significantly over, ask
what's added.
Our wizard pre-vets every contractor against these 12 questions.
You get 3 quotes, 90 seconds, all licensed and bonded — no
storm chasers, no AOB games, no surprises.