5 Questions to Ask Your Roofer Before Signing

Within 48 hours of a hailstorm in Austin, the door knocks start. Trucks with out-of-state plates roll into neighborhoods. Crews fan out with clipboards and business cards. They'll offer a free inspection, climb your roof, come back down, and tell you that you need a new roof — and they can handle everything, including your insurance claim.

Some of these roofers are excellent. Some are not. The problem is that right after a storm, when you're stressed and unsure about your roof, it's hard to tell the difference. You don't know what's actually up there, and the person standing in your driveway is the only one who's looked.

That's a bad position to negotiate from.

Before you sign anything, ask these five questions. The answers will tell you a lot about who you're dealing with.

1. Can I See the Photos You Took of My Roof?

This is the most important question, and the one most homeowners forget to ask.

A reputable roofer will have taken detailed photos during their inspection — close-ups of damage, wide shots of each roof face, photos of flashing, vents, valleys, and any problem areas. They should be willing to walk you through every image and explain what you're looking at.

If the answer is vague — "we saw some damage up there" — or if the photos are blurry, incomplete, or only show one small area, that's a signal. You're being asked to approve a major expense based on someone else's word with no supporting evidence.

What to do: Get your own documentation before a roofer ever climbs up. Independent aerial images from a drone give you a complete view of your roof that you can compare against any roofer's assessment. When you already know what's up there, no one can oversell you. Learn more about our imaging service.

2. Are You Licensed and Insured in Texas?

Texas does not require a state-level roofing license, which means anyone with a truck and a ladder can call themselves a roofer. But legitimate contractors carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. They should be able to show you proof of both — not just tell you they have it.

Ask for their certificate of insurance and verify the policy is current. If someone gets hurt on your property during the job and the contractor doesn't carry workers' comp, you could be liable.

Also ask if they're registered with your city. Austin requires building permits for roof replacements, and the contractor should be pulling the permit, not asking you to.

3. What Exactly Is Included in This Estimate?

A roof replacement involves more than shingles. There's underlayment, flashing, drip edge, ridge vents, pipe boots, ice and water shield in valleys, and cleanup. A low bid often means some of these items are missing or will show up as "additional charges" once work starts.

Ask for a line-item estimate, not a lump sum. You should see the material brand and product line (not just "architectural shingles"), the number of squares being replaced, whether old shingles are being torn off or layered over, and what happens with the debris.

Compare the estimate against your insurance adjuster's scope of work. They should roughly match. If the roofer's scope is significantly larger, ask why. If it's significantly smaller, ask what's being skipped.

4. Who Is Actually Doing the Work?

Many roofing companies operate as brokers. They sell the job, then subcontract the labor to a crew they may or may not have worked with before. That's not inherently bad, but you should know who will be on your roof.

Ask whether the company uses its own employees or subcontractors. If subs, ask if they're insured independently. Ask who will be the on-site supervisor and how to reach them during the job. Ask what happens if you have a problem at 6 PM on a Friday.

A company that can't answer these questions clearly probably doesn't have tight control over its crews. And the crew on your roof determines the quality of the work — not the salesperson in your driveway.

5. What Is Your Warranty, and What Voids It?

Every roofing manufacturer offers a material warranty, but the labor warranty comes from the contractor. These vary wildly — from one year to lifetime — and the details matter more than the headline number.

Ask what's covered and what's not. Ask whether the warranty transfers if you sell the house. Ask what actions on your part could void it — some contractors void labor warranties if you have anyone else service or modify the roof. Ask if the warranty is backed by insurance or just by the company's word.

A five-year labor warranty from a storm-chasing crew that disbands after hail season is worth nothing. A two-year warranty from a local company with a permanent office and a track record is worth a lot more.

The Pattern

You'll notice something about all five questions: they require the roofer to show you proof, not just make promises. Photos of the damage. Insurance certificates. Written estimates. Crew details. Warranty terms in writing.

Reputable contractors expect these questions. They'll answer them without hesitation because transparency is how they win business. The contractors who get uncomfortable are the ones relying on urgency and trust to close the deal before you've had time to think.

Start With What's Actually on Your Roof

The strongest position you can be in before talking to any roofer is knowing what your roof looks like right now. Not a guess from the ground. Not someone else's word. Your own documentation.

Hover ATX delivers professional aerial images of your roof within 48 hours of signup. You'll see every face, every valley, every vent — the same view an adjuster and a roofer see. When you sit down with a contractor's estimate, you can compare it against what you've already seen for yourself.

That's not distrust. That's diligence. And it's the difference between signing a contract you understand and signing one you're hoping works out.

Get your roof documented before the roofers show up. Sign up at hoveratx.com →

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Hover ATX provides professional drone roof imaging for Austin homeowners and businesses. After a storm, we fly your property and deliver high-resolution aerial photos and video within 48 hours — so you have the documentation you need before the adjuster arrives. Book your flight at hoveratx.com.