What Roofers Don't Want You to Know And Why You Should Ask

Finding a good roofer can be easy if you know what to look for. 
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Check Their license
  • The most important step when picking a roofing contractor is to check their contractor license.
  1. Go to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board website (http://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/)
  2. Type in the roofing contractor's license number (CCB#) in the search bar (see below) and select their record. Note: all contractors in Oregon must place their CCB license number on their website, business cards and bids 
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CCB Number Search Bar
  • Their business page will allow you to see how long the company has been in business, how many complaints they have had in the past ten years and if they have had disciplinary action or license suspension from the State of Oregon. The roofer below has complaints, disciplinary actions and license suspension on their record. This step is important because online reviews for roofing companies are typically written at the time of installation by people with very little knowledge of roofs. 
  • If you clink on "Learn more about this business" (see above photo), you will be able to see their insurance amount, if they have a lead based paint license (required if they work on homes older than 1978) and if they have workers compensation for any employees (required in Oregon). 
Does The Roofer Offer A Workman/womanship Warranty?
  • The manufacturer warranty does not cover workman/womanship. Over 80% of roofs we inspect in the Portland metropolitan area are improperly installed. In the state of Oregon you can start a roofing company and be a licensed roofer without any experience or education in roofing. In general, roofers are not required to get permits or city inspections unless more than 15% of the roof plywood is replaced. The length of warranty a roofing company is willing to give will tell you a lot about their workman/womanship and choice of materials. A 1-5 year warranty is common and should be a part of the contract.  If the roof is installed by the seller, the contract should state that the warranty is transferable to you.
  • We recommend all new roofs be inspected by a city code inspector or a licensed home inspector. Both have sufficient educational requirements to evaluate roofs. 

What Other Costs May Arise?
  • I've personally had a roofing contractor quote $1,700 for replacing two sheets of plywood while the roof was being replaced. Plywood retails for less than $20 and only takes a few minutes to replace. The roofer we eventually hired had plywood replacement as part of the bid.​



Does The Roofer Have A Manufacturer Certification?
  • Many shingle manufacturer warranties require roofing companies be certified to install their shingles. If the roofing company does not have a certification, you don't have a warranty. The certification and education ensures the contractor knows how to install their products and what additional materials (usually brand specific) are required to meet the warranty. Few roofers have the correct certifications.  
  • We recommend the contract for the work state that the roofer will Install the roof according to manufacturer specifications and current building code. 
  • You can also look up contractors on the manufacturer websites to find out if they are certified. Some manufacturers even have rating systems for contractors.  Here is an example: https://www.certainteed.com/find-a-pro/