15 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring (2025 Checklist)

1 in 4 homeowners regret their contractor choice. Don't be one of them. Whether you're facing storm damage, planning a roof replacement, or just need repairs, the contractor you choose can mean the difference between a quality job that lasts decades and a nightmare that costs thousands more to fix.

Why These Questions Matter

The Real Cost of Hiring the Wrong Contractor

Roofing scams and poor workmanship cost homeowners an estimated $5,000 to $15,000 per incident. But the financial loss is just the beginning:

• Insurance claim denials when unlicensed work fails
• Voided warranties from improper installation
• Structural damage from hidden water intrusion
• Legal battles with contractors who disappear
• Having to pay twice to fix substandard work

What Makes Myrtle Beach Roofing Different

Coastal South Carolina presents unique challenges that many out-of-state contractors don't understand:

• Hurricane-rated installation requirements
• SC licensing laws: Work over $10,000 requires a General Contractor license (SC Code §40-11-30)
• Coastal insurance requirements that standard contractors may not meet
• Salt air corrosion that requires specific materials
• Wind uplift ratings critical for coastal zone building codes

Questions 1-4: Licensing & Insurance

These are your most critical questions. Never hire without verified answers.

Question 1: "Are you licensed in South Carolina?"

Why it matters: South Carolina law requires a General Contractor license for any roofing work over $10,000. Unlicensed contractors:

• Can't pull permits (your job may be illegal)
• Aren't required to carry insurance
• Have no bond protecting you
• Can't be held accountable by state licensing board

How to verify:

1. Ask for their SC contractor license number
2. Visit LLR.SC.gov
3. Click "Verify a License"
4. Search by name or license number
5. Confirm license is ACTIVE and includes roofing classification

Red flag: "We don't need a license for your job" or "Our license is from another state."

Question 2: "Do you have liability insurance?"

Why it matters: General liability insurance protects YOU if the contractor damages your property during the job. Without it, you'd have to sue the contractor personally—and good luck collecting.

• Minimum coverage: $1 million general liability
• Better: $2 million or more
• Must include: Property damage coverage

Red flag: Hesitation to show certificate, expired policies, or coverage under $1 million.

Question 3: "Do you carry workers' compensation?"

Why it matters: If a worker is injured on YOUR property and the contractor doesn't have workers' comp, you could be liable for their medical bills.

• SC requirement: Mandatory for contractors with 4+ employees
• Best practice: Require it regardless of company size

Red flag: "My guys are independent contractors" (often used to avoid insurance requirements).

Question 4: "Can I see your certificate of insurance?"

Why it matters: Anyone can claim they have insurance. Verify it.

How to verify:

1. Request a current Certificate of Insurance (COI)
2. Check that dates are current (not expired)
3. Verify coverage amounts meet minimums
4. Call the insurance company directly to confirm
5. Best practice: Ask to be named as "additional insured" on the policy for your project

Questions 5-8: Experience & Reputation

Question 5: "How long have you been in business in Myrtle Beach?"

Why local matters:

• Understanding of coastal weather patterns
• Familiarity with local building codes
• Established relationships with suppliers
• Reputation in the community
• Likelihood of being around for warranty claims

Minimum: 5+ years for major projects. For complex coastal work, 10+ years preferred.

Red flag: "We just relocated from [distant state]" especially right after storm season.

Question 6: "Can you provide local references I can call?"

What to request:

• 3-5 references from the past 6 months
• Projects similar to yours (size, type)
• Names and phone numbers you can actually call

Questions to ask references:

• Did the project stay on timeline?
• Was cleanup thorough?
• How was communication throughout?
• Were there any issues? How were they handled?
• Would you hire them again?

Bonus tip: Ask if you can drive by a previous job site to see the work.

Red flag: "Our clients don't want to be contacted" or only provides out-of-area references.

Question 7: "Are you GAF/Owens Corning/CertainTeed certified?"

Why certification matters:

• Manufacturers require training and proven competency
• Certified contractors can offer enhanced warranties
• Shows commitment to industry standards
• Regular training on new materials and techniques

Certification levels (GAF example):

• GAF Certified: Basic certification
• GAF Master Elite: Top 3% of contractors nationwide—highest standard

Myrtle Beach relevance: Certified contractors understand hurricane-rated installation techniques.

Red flag: "We don't need certifications" or can't provide certification documentation.

Question 8: "What's your Better Business Bureau rating?"

How to verify:

1. Visit BBB.org
2. Search for the company name
3. Check their rating (A+ to F)
4. Review complaint history
5. See if complaints were resolved

Look for:

• A or A+ rating
• BBB Accreditation (means they pay to maintain standards)
• Zero or resolved complaints
• Years accredited

Red flag: No BBB profile, low rating, or multiple unresolved complaints.

Questions 9-12: The Job Itself

Question 9: "Will you provide a detailed written estimate?"

A professional estimate should include:

• Materials: Brand, type, color, quantity
• Labor: Crew size, timeline
• Scope: Exactly what's included (and excluded)
• Permits: Who pulls them, what fees
• Debris removal: Included or extra?
• Warranty details: Manufacturer and workmanship
• Payment terms: Deposit, progress payments, final

Red flag: Verbal-only quotes, vague line items like "roof replacement - $8,000," or pressure to sign without written details.

Question 10: "What materials do you recommend for coastal homes?"

Myrtle Beach specific considerations:

• Wind rating: Minimum 130 MPH for coastal SC
• Salt air resistance: Aluminum flashings, stainless steel fasteners
• UV protection: Reflective options for energy efficiency
• Impact resistance: Class 4 shingles for hail/debris

Good contractors will discuss:

• Multiple material options with pros/cons
• How materials perform in coastal conditions
• Warranty differences between material grades
• Insurance discount eligibility (impact-resistant materials)

Red flag: "Same materials work everywhere" or pushing only the cheapest option.

Learn more about material options in our Owens Corning vs GAF comparison guide.

Question 11: "How do you handle unexpected repairs?"

Why this matters: Once your roof is opened up, contractors often find additional damage—rotted decking, hidden leaks, structural issues. How they handle this determines whether you get surprised with a huge bill.

Best practice answers:

• "We use a written change order process"
• "We'll stop work and call you before proceeding with additional repairs"
• "Our estimate includes a contingency of X% for typical hidden damage"
• "We document everything with photos before and after"

Red flag: "We'll just add it to the final bill" or no clear process for handling surprises.

Question 12: "Who will be on-site supervising the work?"

Why it matters: A project manager or owner who's present ensures quality control, answers questions, and addresses issues in real-time.

Ask specifically:

• Will it be you (the salesperson) or someone else?
• How often will they be on-site?
• How can I reach them during the project?
• Who makes decisions if issues arise?

Red flag: "I don't visit job sites" or unclear about who's responsible.

Questions 13-15: Warranties & Protection

Question 13: "What workmanship warranty do you offer?"

Industry standards:

• Minimum acceptable: 5 years
• Good: 10 years
• Excellent: 15-25 years
• Best: Lifetime (from established companies)

Critical distinction: Workmanship warranty (from contractor) is SEPARATE from manufacturer warranty (on materials). You need both.

Red flag: "We don't do warranties" or only offers 1-2 years.

Question 14: "How do you handle warranty claims?"

Good answers include:

• Clear process for filing claims
• Specific response time commitment
• Direct phone number (not just email)
• Examples of past warranty work completed

Red flag: "Call the manufacturer" (they should handle workmanship issues directly).

Question 15: "Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?"

What to look for:

• Final walk-through inspection process
• Punch list completion before final payment
• Clear definition of "satisfactory completion"
• Timeline for addressing concerns

Best practice: Hold final 10% of payment until punch list is complete and you're satisfied.

Red flag: Demands full payment before completion or no final inspection process.

Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away

Immediate Deal-Breakers

Storm Chaser Warning Signs

After hurricanes and major storms, Myrtle Beach sees an influx of "storm chasers"—unlicensed contractors who follow storms, collect deposits, and disappear.

Remember: Legitimate local contractors don't need to chase storms—they have established reputations and repeat customers.

Learn more about protecting yourself in our 2025 insurance coverage guide.

How WeatherShield Answers These Questions

We encourage you to ask us every question on this list—and every other contractor you consider. Here are our answers:

Our Credentials

Our Process

• ✅ Free, no-obligation inspection - No pressure, just honest assessment
• ✅ Detailed written estimate - Every line item explained
• ✅ 10-year workmanship warranty - Written guarantee
• ✅ Project manager on-site daily - Direct communication
• ✅ We pull all required permits - 100% code compliant
• ✅ No payment until you're satisfied - Final walk-through guaranteed

Why We Created This Guide

We want you to ask us these questions—and every other contractor you consider. Educated homeowners make better decisions, and we're confident our answers stand out.

This guide exists because too many Myrtle Beach families have been hurt by unlicensed contractors, especially after storms. We've seen the damage firsthand—both to roofs and to trust. If this guide helps even one family avoid a scam, it's worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Protect Your Investment

Your roof is one of the most expensive systems in your home. Choosing the right contractor protects not just your roof, but your family's safety and your financial investment.

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