I have a friend who had a roof installed last spring under a contract she barely read. Three weeks after the install a crew of roofers showed up, tore off half the roof in the rain, and disappeared for five days with no calls or notes as to what was going on. They finally came back and completed the rest of the roof to what looked like a very poor install. I bring this up every time some one says they “skimmed” the contract for a roofer. A roof is one of the most expensive single items a home owner will ever have repaired. It is worth reading all of the lines of the contract before you sign it.
Prior to reading a roofing contract before signing, the roofing contract should be analyzed prior to being written by the contractor. This is because the majority of defects in roofing contracts are created prior to the contract ever being written. The largest number of defects in roofing contracts created prior to the contract being written by the contractor are defects in how the homeowner selects a roofing contractor to repair or replace their roof. Typically, homeowners pick a roofing contractor from a variety of resources such as from a flyer that was left on their front porch, or from a recommendation given by a neighbor that has a similar type of roof that the homeowner is looking to have repaired or replaced. Often, people pick a roofing contractor based off of price since a roof is one of the largest single expenses that a homeowner incurs. Therefore, a homeowner’s largest expense for a roof should be protected by the best contract possible. Therefore, in order to get the best contract possible, the homeowner must first select the best roofing contractor.
Before you even look at the contract
Most contract problems are generated long before a contractor even begins to develop a contract. That is, most contract problems arise from homeowners selecting a contractor to perform repairs on their home based on such things as a solicitation (flyer) left on their front porch, an advertisement in a local newspaper, or best of all, by word of mouth from a neighbor. He or she asks the neighbor how he or she found the roofer, and the neighbor replies that he or she saw an advertisement in the local newspaper. How does the homeowner know that the roofer is properly licensed, that he or she carries liability insurance and workers compensation insurance, and that the roofer will complete the repairs agreed to in the contract? One of the easiest ways to avoid most contract problems is to select a reputable roofer to perform repairs on your home. Do your homework and research local roofing contractors Arlington VA that are properly licensed in your state to perform roofing repairs, carry liability insurance and workers compensation insurance, and who have excellent reputations with past customers. How do you find such a roofer? The obvious answer is through an online search using a search engine such as Google. However, online reviews can often be misleading and should be used with caution. That being said, online reviews can be a great way to research local roofing contractors, but be sure to read multiple reviews from various sources. You can also compare broader business insights and consumer decision-making resources to better understand what separates trustworthy service providers from those with questionable practices. Also, ask friends, family, and neighbors who have recently had work done on their homes for recommendations. However, be sure to research the roofer recommended by asking for references and reviews from past
Verify a roofer’s credentials before you schedule a time for them to come and evaluate your home. Make sure they have received a license to work in your state. Confirm they have liability insurance and workers compensation to protect their employees while working on your property. Ask for a copy of their certificate of insurance to verify coverage. This is a standard practice in the industry and many roofers hesitate to provide proof of insurance. This could be a red flag for potential homeowners.
Last but not least, be wary of home improvement companies that come into your local area after a large hail storm. These companies are often referred to as “storm chasers” and can cause a lot of damage to a homeowner before they leave town. It is always best to choose a local company that has been in business for many years and has many verifiable reviews from past customers in the local area.
Contract Checklist for Roofing – Homeowner Use
A roofing contract is a very detailed document that outlines and specifies all work that will be performed on your home. Typically a roofing contract will list out all aspects of repair and or replacement of parts of your roof. A roofing contract also outlines what you are paying for. They will also outline and specify what will happen in case of an emergency during the time that the roofing crew is performing work on your home. If for some reason you are unable to find a contract that appears to outline all work to be performed and details on what you will be paying for prior to signing it may be best to continue shopping for a roofer.
Look for these things before you sign:
- Exact materials listed by brand, product line, and color. “30-year architectural shingles” is dangerously vague. “CertainTeed Landmark Pro, Colonial Slate” is not.
- A clear scope of work. Does the job include removing the old roof, or just layering over it? What happens if they find rotted decking once the old shingles come off? These answers need to be written down, because verbal promises are worth exactly nothing when the foreman has moved on to the next job.
- Payment schedule tied to milestones. Never pay more than 10–15% upfront. Final payment comes after final inspection, not before.
- Start and estimated completion dates, with some clause, however simple, about what happens if they miss them by a significant margin.
- Cleanup and disposal responsibilities. Who hauls the old shingles? Where does the debris go? This sounds minor until you find a dumpster sitting in your driveway for three weeks.
I wish the rest of the roofing contract inspection list was as easy to write as this first point.
Warranties: two different things that get confused constantly
Homeowners are frequently confused between the manufacturers warranty for roofing materials and the workmanship warranty provided by the roofer. These two warranties are extremely different and homeowners must be aware of the difference when signing a contract with a roofer. Just because a roofer provides 50 year shingles does not mean that the homeowner has a 50 year warranty on the roof. Most manufacturers provide a warranty on the roofing materials for a specific time period. This warranty only covers failures due to manufacturing defects. The workmanship warranty on the other hand covers failures due to improper installation of the roofing materials. This is by far the most important warranty provided by a roofer and what homeowners should be focusing on when signing a contract.
| Warranty type | What it covers | Who provides it | Typical duration |
| Manufacturer warranty | Defects in the roofing materials themselves | The shingle or material brand | 20–50 years depending on product |
| Workmanship warranty | Installation errors, leaks from poor technique | The contractor | Usually 1–10 years |
A 50-year warranty from a manufacturer of shingles is a wonderful thing but it does not cover anything if the roof was not properly installed. Ask the roofer for a warranty and make sure to read it carefully to see what would cause the warranty to be voided. Some roofers include things such as neglect or improper maintenance in the warranty that would cause the warranty to be voided.
Red flags hiding in plain sight
Additional Terms to Remove from Roofing Contract Terms to remove from Roofing Contracts: Some Roofing Contractors use the terms below in their roofing contracts for home owners. The purpose of these terms are to limit the liability of the contractor for work completed at your home. In our experience these terms can generally be removed by your roofing contractor prior to you signing the roofing contract. It is in your best interest to have all of these terms removed prior to you signing your roofing contract for work to be performed at your home.
- Vague language like “additional charges may apply” without any definition of when or how much — that phrase is a blank check written in your name
- No permit mentioned anywhere in the document (in most jurisdictions, reroofing requires one, and if they’re skipping it, you’re the one who owns the house and the liability)
- A clause waiving your right to dispute the final invoice, which is remarkable that this exists and yet it does
Don’t fall for contractors who tell you that their “price” only is good for that day. If they are pushing to get you to sign a contract within 24 hours or less, it is only to their advantage and they are trying to manipulate you. If a roofer is selling you a quality roof, they can afford to give you 24 hours to review a contract. They are doing to make a living, not just to make a quick buck.
After the job wraps up
Wait until all of the work is completed, including repair any damage to siding, and inspect for any remaining debris, inspect the flashing around all chimneys and vents, and inspect the gutters for any damage or for roofing material such as shingles, etc. have been thrown into the gutters by the roofing crew. Make sure that the gutters have not been filled with roofing nails. Take a few minutes to inspect all of the work that was completed and make sure that everything was done correctly. Paying for a bunch of additional repairs could have been avoided by inspecting the work with the crew’s supervisor prior to payment. It only takes about 15 minutes.
Make sure you keep a copy of the signed contract and both warranties, as well as a copy of all required permits for future reference. This can be an asset when you sell your home, particularly a home with a documented roof with transferable warranties that remain in effect for decades to come. Conversely, a “mystery roof” can be a great selling point killer.
A homeowner’s best goal for a roof is to forget it’s there and to have it last for decades. To achieve that goal for your home, do your research and select the best roofer for the job and thoroughly read through the contract before you sign it.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional legal, construction, or roofing advice. Homeowners should independently verify all contractor credentials, licensing, insurance, and contract terms before signing. The mention of specific locations or practices is illustrative and does not imply endorsement. The author and publisher disclaim all liability for any property damage, financial losses, or disputes arising from reliance on this content. Always consult a licensed professional for your specific roofing needs and review all documents thoroughly before committing.
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