Most homeowners only hire a roofing contractor once every decade or two, which makes it easy to miss the questions that actually matter. A contractor who looks fine on the surface can still leave you with an unlicensed crew, an uninsured claim risk, or a warranty that quietly doesn't apply. Here is exactly what to ask, and why each answer matters.
Verify Their CSLB License and C-39 Classification
Ask for the license number and the exact business name it's registered under, then check it yourself rather than taking a printed card at face value. The California Contractors State License Board's free lookup tool tells you whether the license status is Active, and whether the contractor holds the C-39 Roofing classification specifically required for roof work in California. It also shows bond status and any disciplinary history on file. The whole check takes about two minutes.
Confirm Insurance and Workers' Compensation
Ask for proof of general liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage if the contractor has employees. If they have a crew but no workers' comp on record, you could end up liable for an injury that happens on your own property. Don't just ask if they're insured. Ask to see the certificate, and confirm with the insurer that the policy is currently active.
Ask Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work
Some companies sell the job then subcontract it out to a different crew entirely. Ask directly whether the people on your roof will be employees or subcontractors, and how long the company has worked with them. This affects both quality control and who's accountable if something goes wrong.
Get Specific About Materials and Process
A vague estimate that just says "reroof" leaves too much room for corners to get cut. Ask each contractor to specify:
- The exact shingle or material brand and product line
- Whether the underlayment is being replaced or reused
- Whether flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is new or reused
- What happens if they find damaged decking once the old roof comes off
- Who is responsible for pulling permits
If you're not sure what a "small" job might turn into once a crew is actually on the roof, it's worth reading about when a repair genuinely needs a professional versus when it doesn't.
Understand the Payment Terms
California law caps a contractor's deposit at $1,000 or 10% of the total contract price, whichever is less. If a contractor asks for significantly more upfront, or pushes for full payment before the job starts, treat that as a serious warning sign rather than a scheduling formality. Ask how the remaining balance is broken into payments tied to actual project milestones.
Ask About the Warranty, Specifically
There are usually two separate warranties on any roofing job: one from the material manufacturer covering product defects, and one from the contractor covering their own workmanship. Ask what each one actually covers, how long it lasts, and what would void it. A contractor who can't clearly separate these two is worth double-checking. See the full breakdown of what each warranty actually covers before you sign anything.
Red Flags Worth Walking Away From
- Pressure to sign the same day, especially after a storm
- A price that's dramatically lower than every other estimate
- No local address or a business that's hard to verify
- Reluctance to provide license or insurance documentation
- A contract that's vague about materials, timeline, or scope
These same signs show up constantly with storm chasers and roofing scams specifically, and it's worth knowing the full pattern, not just the individual warning signs.
Get Everything in Writing
A verbal promise means nothing once the crew has packed up. Before work begins, the contract should spell out materials, timeline, payment schedule, warranty terms, and what happens if hidden damage is found. If you want a second set of eyes on the roof's actual condition before you compare quotes, a professional inspection gives you an independent baseline to hold every estimate against. And once you actually have multiple bids in hand, our guide on how to compare roofing quotes properly covers why the totals rarely line up and how to force an honest comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a roofing contractor's license in California? +
Go to the CSLB website, use the Check a License tool, and enter the license number or business name. Confirm the status reads Active, not expired, suspended, or revoked. The lookup is free and takes about two minutes.
What license classification should a roofer have? +
In California, roofing contractors should hold an active C-39 Roofing classification. This is the specific classification the CSLB requires for roof repair, replacement, and installation work.
How much can a contractor legally ask for as a deposit in California? +
California law caps home improvement deposits at $1,000 or 10% of the total contract price, whichever is less. A contractor asking for significantly more upfront is a red flag.
What insurance should a roofing contractor carry? +
At minimum, general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage if they have employees. Ask for proof of both, and confirm the policies are currently active rather than just taking their word for it.
What should be included in a written roofing contract? +
The specific materials and product lines being used, the scope of work, start and completion timelines, payment schedule, warranty terms, and what happens if hidden damage like rotted decking is found once work begins.
None of these questions take long to ask, but they're the difference between hiring a contractor with confidence and finding out too late that something important was never checked.