I'm going to do something that might seem counterintuitive for a roofing company: I'm going to give you a checklist of tough questions to ask every roofer you talk to — including us.
Why? Because my goal is to educate, ask questions, and listen. I'm not here to pressure anyone into a contract. I'm here to make sure you know enough to make a good decision, whether that decision leads you to Terzo Roofing or to someone else entirely.
The roofing industry has a reputation problem. Storm chasers roll into town after every hail event, knock on doors, make big promises, and disappear six months later when the flashing starts leaking. Homeowners get burned because they didn't know the right questions to ask — and the contractor sure wasn't going to volunteer the answers.
In this article, we'll walk through 10 questions you should ask any roofer before you sign anything. We'll explain why each question matters, what a good answer sounds like, and what should make you pause. We want you to ask us these questions — and we want you to ask every other roofer too.
The 10-Question Checklist
Print this out. Save it on your phone. Bring it to every estimate appointment. These questions will tell you more about a roofing contractor in 15 minutes than any online review ever could.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
This is non-negotiable. In Texas, roofing contractors should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't have workers' comp, guess who could be on the hook? You.
What to do: Ask for proof. A legitimate contractor will have no problem showing you a certificate of insurance. If they hesitate, dodge the question, or say "we're working on getting that renewed," that's your cue to move on.
A license and insurance don't guarantee quality work, but their absence guarantees risk.
2. What Manufacturer Certifications Do You Hold?
This one separates the serious contractors from the guys with a truck and a ladder. Manufacturer certifications mean the roofing company has been vetted by the material manufacturer, their crews have been trained on proper installation techniques, and they can offer enhanced warranties that uncertified contractors simply cannot.
At Terzo Roofing, we hold certifications from GAF, Tamko, Sika, Mulehide, Soprema, and Durolast. We're also FORTIFIED certified. Those certifications aren't decorations on a business card — they're the reason we can offer manufacturer-backed warranties with real teeth.
What to listen for: The contractor should be able to name specific manufacturers and explain what those certifications mean for your warranty. If they can't name a single certification, ask yourself why not.
3. Will You Provide a Written, Itemized Estimate?
A verbal quote is worthless. A single lump-sum number on a napkin isn't much better. You need a written estimate that breaks down the scope of work, materials being used, labor costs, and what's included versus what's extra.
Why this matters: An itemized estimate lets you compare apples to apples when you get multiple bids. It also protects you from surprise charges halfway through the job. "We found some rotted decking" shouldn't be a shock — it should be addressed in the estimate's provisions for unexpected repairs.
Red flag: If a contractor won't put their price in writing or refuses to itemize, they're either disorganized or hiding something. Neither is acceptable when you're making a five-figure investment.
4. What Warranty Do You Offer on Labor AND Materials?
This is where a lot of homeowners get tripped up. There are two types of warranties on a roof:
- Material warranty — Covers defects in the roofing materials themselves. This comes from the manufacturer.
- Labor/workmanship warranty — Covers the installation. This comes from the contractor.
You need both. The best materials in the world won't perform if they're installed incorrectly, and the most skilled crew can't overcome defective materials.
What to ask: How long is your workmanship warranty? What does it cover? Is the manufacturer warranty prorated or non-prorated? Does the manufacturer warranty cover both materials AND labor, or just materials?
Certified contractors like us can often offer manufacturer warranties that cover labor and materials together because the manufacturer trusts our installation quality enough to stand behind it.
5. Will You Meet the Insurance Adjuster On-Site?
If you're filing an insurance claim for storm damage, this question is critical. The insurance adjuster's job is to assess the damage and determine what the insurance company will pay for. Your roofer's job is to make sure the adjuster sees everything and that nothing gets missed.
At Terzo Roofing, we meet the adjuster on-site for every insurance claim. We walk the roof with them, point out damage they might miss, and make sure the scope of the claim accurately reflects the work that needs to be done. We also review the adjuster's report with the homeowner to make sure it matches what we found during our inspection.
Red flag: If a contractor says "just file the claim and we'll work with whatever the insurance company gives you," they're not advocating for you. A good roofer will fight to make sure your claim is fair and complete.
6. Can I See Recent Local References or Reviews?
Any contractor can show you glossy before-and-after photos. What you really want is to talk to real homeowners in your area who hired them recently.
What to ask for: Names and phone numbers (or email addresses) of 3-5 recent customers in the Houston metro area. Then actually call them. Ask if the crew showed up on time, kept the property clean, finished when they said they would, and how the contractor handled any issues that came up.
Also check: Google reviews, BBB rating, and their standing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Online reviews aren't the full picture, but patterns tell a story. A handful of complaints about communication or cleanup across dozens of five-star reviews is normal. A pattern of one-star reviews about unfinished work or disappearing after payment is a dealbreaker.
7. Who Will Actually Be on My Roof — Your Crew or Subcontractors?
This is a question most homeowners never think to ask, but it matters. Some roofing companies are essentially middlemen — they sell the job, then sub it out to crews they may or may not have worked with before. That creates accountability gaps.
Why it matters: When the contractor uses their own trained crews, they have direct control over quality, safety, and installation practices. When they sub the work out, they're trusting someone else's standards.
What to listen for: "We use our own crews" is the answer you want. If they do use subcontractors, ask how long they've worked with them, whether the subs are insured, and who is responsible if something goes wrong.
8. What Happens If There's a Problem After the Job Is Done?
Roofing is construction work, and sometimes issues come up — a leak at a transition, a piece of flashing that needs re-sealing, a gutter that's not draining right. What matters is how the contractor handles it.
What to ask: If I call you six months from now with a leak, what's the process? Is there a charge for warranty service calls? How quickly do you respond?
What you want to hear: A clear, no-runaround warranty process. The contractor should stand behind their work without making you jump through hoops. If they get defensive or vague when you ask this question, imagine how they'll respond when you actually have a problem.
9. Do You Pull Permits?
In most Houston-area jurisdictions, a full roof replacement requires a building permit. The permit ensures the work is inspected and meets local building codes. Some contractors skip the permit to save time and money — but that puts the homeowner at risk.
Why it matters: Work done without a permit can create problems when you sell your home, file a future insurance claim, or need warranty service. If the installation wasn't permitted and inspected, you may have no recourse if something goes wrong.
What to listen for: "Yes, we pull permits on every job that requires one." Full stop. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to save you money, they're saving themselves money at your expense.
10. How Do You Handle Unexpected Issues Like Rotted Decking?
Once the old shingles come off, sometimes we find surprises underneath. Rotted decking, deteriorated underlayment, damaged fascia boards — these are things you can't see from the ground or even from a roof inspection until the existing materials are removed.
What to ask: How do you handle rotted decking or other hidden damage? Is there a set price per sheet of replaced decking? Will you contact me before doing additional work, or will I just see it on the final bill?
What you want to hear: A clear policy with transparent pricing. At Terzo Roofing, we establish a per-sheet price for decking replacement upfront in our estimate. If we find damaged decking during tear-off, we document it with photos, replace it, and the homeowner knows exactly what it will cost because we agreed on that number before any work started.
How to Use This Checklist
Here's what I'd recommend: Get at least three estimates. Bring this list to every one of them. Take notes on each contractor's answers.
If a roofer answers all 10 questions confidently, transparently, and without getting defensive, that's a strong sign. If they dodge questions, get vague about warranties, can't produce proof of insurance, or pressure you to sign on the spot — walk away.
If anything feels off or too high-pressure, then call someone else for another opinion. And do it again if necessary until you get someone you're comfortable with.
This is a major investment in your home. You have every right to be thorough.
Why We Want You to Be an Informed Buyer
I run a tight ship, and I'm proud of the way we do business. So when homeowners come to us with tough questions, I don't get uncomfortable — I get excited. Because every question on this list is something we already do, and I'd rather earn your trust through honest answers than through a polished sales pitch.
We're a veteran-owned company based in Katy, Texas, serving the entire Houston metro area. We got into this business to do roofing the right way — proper materials, proper installation, proper follow-through. Colossians 3:23 says "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." That's how we approach every single roof.
We care more about relationships than profits. We'd rather tell you the hard truth — that your roof needs a full replacement when you were hoping for a patch — than sugarcoat it and leave you with a problem two years from now. And we'd rather lose a bid to a competitor than cut corners to win on price.
Your Next Step
If you're getting ready to hire a roofer in the Houston area — whether it's for a full replacement, a repair, or an insurance claim — we'd welcome the chance to answer every question on this list and any others you can think of.
Contact us to schedule a free roof inspection. We'll walk your roof, show you exactly what we find, explain your options honestly, and give you a written, itemized estimate. No pressure, no hard sell — just straight answers from a team that wants you to make the best decision for your home.