Question 1

What should a roofing contract include?

Accepted Answer

A roofing contract should include a detailed scope of work specifying whether the project is a full roof replacement, a partial re-roof, or a repair, the roofing materials to be used (shingle type, brand, color, warranty class — such as GAF Timberline HDZ or CertainTeed Landmark PRO), underlayment specifications (synthetic vs felt, ice and water shield in valleys and eaves), ventilation components (ridge vents, soffit vents, power ventilators), flashing materials and replacement scope, the number of layers to be removed (tear-off vs overlay), decking inspection and replacement provisions, drip edge and gutter apron details, the total contract price with a breakdown of materials and labor, the payment schedule tied to milestones, the projected start and completion dates with weather delay provisions, permit and inspection responsibilities, manufacturer warranty registration, workmanship warranty terms, insurance and lien waiver requirements, and cleanup and debris removal obligations.

Question 2

What is the difference between a tear-off and an overlay?

Accepted Answer

A tear-off (or strip and re-roof) involves completely removing all existing roofing material down to the decking, inspecting and repairing the decking as needed, and installing the new roof system from scratch — including underlayment, flashing, drip edge, and new shingles. An overlay (or re-cover) involves installing the new roofing material directly over the existing layer without removing it. Most building codes allow a maximum of two layers of asphalt shingles on a roof — if there is already one layer, an overlay is permitted; if there are already two layers, a tear-off is required. The roofing contract should specify which method will be used, because the choice significantly affects cost (tear-off is more expensive due to labor, dumpster rental, and disposal fees), allows or prevents decking inspection (damage, rot, and mold are invisible under an overlay), affects the manufacturer warranty (some manufacturers reduce or void warranty coverage on overlay installations), and impacts future roof replacement costs.

Question 3

What roofing material warranties should the contract address?

Accepted Answer

A roofing contract should address two distinct types of warranty: the manufacturer warranty and the contractor workmanship warranty. Major shingle manufacturers (GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Tamko, Atlas, IKO) offer tiered warranty programs based on the products used and whether the contractor is certified by the manufacturer. For example, GAF offers a Standard Limited Warranty (non-prorated coverage against manufacturing defects), a System Plus Warranty (50-year coverage when a GAF-certified contractor installs three or more GAF accessories), and a Golden Pledge Warranty (50-year, non-prorated coverage including workmanship when a GAF Master Elite contractor uses the full GAF roof system). The contract should specify which manufacturer warranty level applies, whether the contractor is certified to activate enhanced warranties, the contractor's obligation to register the warranty with the manufacturer after installation, and the separate workmanship warranty provided by the contractor (typically 5-10 years, covering installation defects, leaks from improper flashing, and workmanship failures).

Question 4

Does a roofing contractor need to be licensed?

Accepted Answer

In most states, yes. Roofing is classified as a specialty trade, and most states require roofing contractors to hold either a general contractor license or a specialty roofing contractor license. California requires a C-39 Roofing Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board for any roofing project. Florida requires a Certified or Registered Roofing Contractor license. Texas does not have a state roofing license but many Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) require local roofing permits and contractor registration. The contract should require the contractor to provide their current license number and registration, verify the license is active with the state or local licensing authority, confirm the contractor's manufacturer certifications (GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Preferred Contractor), and represent that all workers on the project hold the necessary certifications and training for the roofing system being installed.

Question 5

How should payment be structured for a roofing project?

Accepted Answer

Payment for a roofing project should be structured around project milestones rather than paid in full upfront. Never pay the entire cost before the work is complete — this is one of the most common roofing scams. A typical residential roofing payment structure includes a deposit at contract signing (typically 10-33% of the total, subject to state deposit limits), a payment upon completion of tear-off and any decking repairs (when the homeowner can verify the condition of the deck), and a final payment upon completion of the installation, cleanup, and a satisfactory inspection. For larger commercial projects, payments may be broken into more stages. The contract should specify the exact payment amounts, due dates, accepted payment methods, and whether the final payment is contingent on passing a building department inspection and receiving copies of the manufacturer warranty registration. Many states limit roofing deposits — California limits deposits to $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.

Question 6

What permits are required for roofing work?

Accepted Answer

Most jurisdictions require a building permit for a full roof replacement and many require permits for significant repairs. The permit ensures that the new roof meets the building code requirements for wind resistance (especially important in hurricane-prone states like Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas), fire rating, ventilation, and structural load. The permit typically requires the contractor to submit a scope of work, specify materials, and pass one or two inspections — a framing/decking inspection after tear-off (to verify the decking is sound) and a final inspection after the new roof is installed. Some jurisdictions also require roofing contractors to file a Notice of Commencement before work begins. The roofing contract should specify that the contractor is responsible for obtaining the permit, paying the permit fee (typically $100-$500 for residential work), scheduling and passing all inspections, and providing the homeowner with copies of the permit and inspection reports.

Question 7

What insurance should a roofing contractor carry?

Accepted Answer

Roofing is one of the highest-risk construction trades, and proper insurance is essential. A roofing contractor should carry general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate) covering property damage to the home and neighboring properties, bodily injury to third parties, and damage caused by falling debris, workers' compensation insurance covering all employees (roofing has one of the highest workers' comp rates of any trade due to fall risk), commercial auto insurance for work vehicles, and completed operations coverage (a component of the GL policy that covers liability for damage caused by the completed work after the contractor leaves — such as a leak that develops weeks later due to improper installation). The homeowner should request a certificate of insurance naming the homeowner as additional insured, verify the certificate directly with the insurance company, and confirm that the policy is current and has not been cancelled.

Question 8

How should a roofing contract address storm damage and insurance claims?

Accepted Answer

If the roof replacement is being performed as an insurance claim due to storm damage (hail, wind, fallen trees), the roofing contract should address several additional considerations. The contract should specify whether the contractor will assist with the insurance claim process (filing the claim, meeting with the adjuster, preparing a scope and estimate), whether the contract price is contingent on insurance approval and coverage, the homeowner's responsibility for the insurance deductible, what happens if the insurance company's approved amount is less than the contractor's price, whether the contractor will perform only the insurance-covered work or whether the homeowner is contracting for additional upgrades beyond the claim, and the contractor's prohibition against inflating the scope or offering to waive the deductible (both are insurance fraud). The contract should never include a clause that says the homeowner 'won't owe anything beyond what insurance pays' — this is a red flag for fraud and can result in criminal charges for both the contractor and the homeowner.

Question 9

What should a roofing contract say about decking repairs?

Accepted Answer

The condition of the roof deck (the plywood or OSB sheathing beneath the roofing material) is unknown until the old roofing is removed. Water damage, rot, termite damage, and delamination are common findings, and damaged decking must be replaced before the new roof can be installed. The roofing contract should include a decking inspection and repair provision that specifies the contractor will inspect all decking after tear-off, the per-sheet cost for replacing damaged decking (typically priced per 4x8 sheet of OSB or plywood at a stated price, such as $75-$150 per sheet installed), the contractor's obligation to notify the homeowner of the extent of decking damage before proceeding with replacement, whether the homeowner's written approval is required before decking replacement (recommended), and a not-to-exceed cap for decking repairs without additional homeowner authorization. Without a decking provision, the homeowner may be surprised by a large additional charge on completion day.

Question 10

How should a roofing contract handle weather delays?

Accepted Answer

Roofing is entirely weather-dependent — work cannot proceed during rain, snow, ice, or high winds, and most roofing materials have temperature limitations (asphalt shingles should not be installed below 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit because they become brittle and won't seal properly; above 90 degrees they can become soft and are easily damaged during installation). The contract should include weather delay provisions stating that the completion date will be extended day-for-day for days when weather conditions prevent safe or proper installation, defining what constitutes a weather day (rain, snow, ice, wind above a stated speed, temperature outside the manufacturer's installation range), requiring the contractor to secure the work in progress if a weather interruption occurs mid-installation (tarp the exposed decking, secure loose materials), clarifying that weather delays do not entitle the homeowner to withhold payment for completed work or to claim a breach, and addressing the contractor's responsibility for any water damage that occurs during the project due to inadequate temporary protection during weather interruptions.

Component	Purpose	Details
Materials	Specifies exact roofing products	Shingle brand/line/color, underlayment, flashing, ventilation
Installation Method	Defines tear-off vs overlay	Layer removal, disposal, dumpster, overlay limitations
Decking Provisions	Addresses hidden damage	Inspection after tear-off, per-sheet repair price, approval
Warranty	Covers product and workmanship	Manufacturer warranty tier, contractor warranty period
Payment Schedule	Ties payments to milestones	Deposit, post-tearoff, completion, inspection pass
Permits	Ensures code compliance	Building permit, inspections, wind code compliance
Weather Provisions	Handles delays	Day-for-day extension, temporary protection, temperature limits
Insurance	Covers high-risk work	GL, workers' comp, completed operations, additional insured
Cleanup	Ensures site restoration	Debris removal, magnetic nail sweep, landscaping protection
Insurance Claims	Addresses storm damage	Adjuster coordination, deductible, fraud prevention

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