Verify the basics first
Texas does not license roofing contractors at the state level, which means insurance and local track record carry more weight here than a license number would elsewhere.
Ask for these in writing
- General liability insurance certificate, current and naming the company you're hiring
- Workers' compensation coverage, or a clear statement of how crews are covered
- A physical local address — not just a PO box or an out-of-state office
- A written estimate on company letterhead with a scope of work, not a handshake number
- Manufacturer certifications, if the proposal relies on an enhanced warranty
Storm-chaser red flags
None of these are automatically proof of bad intent, but together they describe a business model built on volume and speed rather than warranty follow-through.
- Pressure to sign today, or a 'discount' that expires at the door
- A large deposit demanded before materials are ordered or work is scheduled
- An offer to cover, waive or absorb your insurance deductible
- Out-of-state plates, temporary phone numbers and no verifiable local reviews
- A contract that authorizes work at 'insurance-approved amounts' with no defined scope
Read the contract, not just the price
- Total price, payment schedule and what triggers each payment
- Full scope: tear-off, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, decking allowance
- Start window and what happens if weather delays the job
- Cleanup terms, including magnetic nail sweeps and landscaping protection
- Workmanship warranty length and who honors it if the company is sold
- Cancellation rights and how change orders are approved
Check the track record
Look for reviews that span several years rather than a burst from one month. Ask for addresses of completed jobs in your area — an established local roofer usually has work within a few miles.
Call one or two past customers and ask the only question that matters after the fact: what happened when they called with a problem a year later?
Compare proposals fairly
The cheapest bid is often the thinnest scope. Before comparing totals, line the proposals up side by side and confirm each one includes the same underlayment, the same flashing work and the same ventilation plan.
If one bid is dramatically lower, the difference is usually in materials, labor or something that was left out entirely. Ask directly.
- Insurance certificates and a local address matter more than sales pitches.
- Never accept an offer to waive or absorb your deductible.
- Get the full scope of work in the contract, not just a total.
- Look for a multi-year review history and nearby completed jobs.
- Compare scope line by line before comparing price.
Want a second opinion on a proposal?
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