Choosing a roofing or window contractor, and what to ask

Cutting an opening in a roof is a job with real consequences, and most homeowners have never hired for it before. This page does not name or recommend any firm. It sets out the questions that consumer protection agencies, roofing trade bodies and energy programs suggest asking anyone who offers to work on a roof or fit a window, and it explains why each question matters.

Everything here is general. Rules on licensing, contracts and permits differ by state, county and city, and your local building department, the product's printed instructions and a qualified professional have the final word on any specific job.

Licensing and insurance

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US consumer protection agency, advises considering only contractors who are licensed and insured. It says to confirm the license with your state or county government rather than taking the contractor's word for it, and to ask for proof of insurance (FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam).

Licensing requirements for roofing and general contracting are not uniform across the country. Some places license roofers, some license only general contractors, and some leave it to local rules. A sensible first step is to find out which agency, if any, handles contractor licensing where you live, and then check the status of the name on the paperwork against that agency's own records.

Insurance matters because roof work involves falls, tools and water. A certificate of insurance is a document the insurer issues, so you can ask for it and, if you wish, confirm it is current with the insurer. If a subcontractor will do part of the work, it is fair to ask how that person is covered.

A written scope and contract

The FTC recommends asking for a written contract even if your state does not require one. It lists what should be in it: the contractor's name, address, phone number and license number, estimated start and completion dates, and any verbal promises about the scope of work and the cost of labor and materials. It also says to make sure no blank spaces remain before you sign (FTC).

For a skylight or roof window, a useful scope is specific about the product by its full model description, the size and location of the opening, how the framing, flashing and interior finishing are to be handled, and what happens to the old roofing and debris. If the work involves a light shaft or insulation, the scope can say so. Our guides on skylight installation, leaks and lifespan and on attics, light shafts and insulation explain what those terms cover, so you can tell whether a proposal addresses them.

The same FTC page says to be cautious about payment. It advises against paying the full amount up front, notes that some states limit down payments, and says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied.

Who pulls the permit

Adding or enlarging a roof opening often involves a building permit, though requirements vary by jurisdiction. Whether one is needed, and who applies, should be settled before work starts and written into the agreement. The FTC lists a contractor who asks you to get any required building permits yourself as a warning sign (FTC). Our page on building permits and codes for roof openings describes what the permit process generally covers.

Your local building department can tell you whether a permit applies. That is a better source than any sales conversation.

Installation instructions and product labels

ENERGY STAR, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy program, notes that even top-rated windows, doors and skylights can be drafty if poorly installed. It advises following the manufacturer's instructions, which are required to be packaged with the product or available online, and it warns that some manufacturers void warranties when those instructions are not followed (ENERGY STAR: windows, doors and skylights). A fair question for any installer is whether the job will follow the instructions for the specific product, including its flashing method.

The same page suggests asking whether installers are certified to install the specific product, since some warranties require a manufacturer-certified installer. It also says to look for the ENERGY STAR label for your climate zone beside the NFRC label on the glass, and to keep both as documentation. Our guide to reading NFRC and ENERGY STAR labels explains what the numbers on those labels mean.

Leaks are the most common worry with roof openings, and they often trace back to flashing, the thin material that sheds water around the opening. Understanding the basics from flashing, curbs and why skylights leak helps you judge whether an explanation you are given is specific or vague.

Warranty terms: product versus installation

A skylight job usually involves at least two separate promises. One covers the product itself and comes from its maker. The other covers the workmanship of the installation and comes from whoever did the work. They can have different lengths, different exclusions and different people to call, so ask for both in writing.

The FTC's guidance on warranties suggests checking how long coverage lasts, what is excluded ("If they aren't listed, assume they aren't covered"), whether the remedy is repair, replacement or refund, and who you must contact to make a claim. It also advises checking whether coverage depends on how the product is used or maintained (FTC: Warranties).

Because ENERGY STAR notes that skipped manufacturer instructions can void a warranty, the two kinds of coverage are linked. An installation that departs from the instructions can put the product warranty at risk, and the written scope is a good place to record that the instructions will be followed.

Red flags in door-to-door pitches

The FTC's list of warning signs includes contractors who knock on your door and claim to be "in the area," who say they have materials left over from a previous job, who push for an immediate decision, who want everything paid up front or accept only cash, or who suggest borrowing from a lender they know. It also advises never to agree to contractor-arranged financing without shopping around and comparing loan terms (FTC).

NRCA, the roofing trade association, makes a related point after storms. It tells homeowners to be cautious about contractors who approach unprompted, to be skeptical of the lowest bid ("If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"), and to evaluate potential contractors thoroughly before a deposit is made or reroofing begins (NRCA: news release). NRCA also treats price as only one factor, alongside professionalism and workmanship.

If you sign a contract at home or somewhere other than the seller's permanent place of business, the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule may give you until midnight of the third business day to cancel. Saturdays count as business days, while Sundays and federal holidays do not. The rule has exclusions, including sales needed to meet an emergency and sales made because you asked the seller to come repair or maintain your property, so it does not cover every situation (FTC: Buyer's Remorse).

Questions worth bringing to any conversation

• Which agency licenses this work here, and can I verify the license and insurance myself?
• What exactly is in the written scope, and who handles the permit?
• Will the work follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for this specific product?
• What does the product warranty cover, what does the installation warranty cover, and who do I contact for each?
• Who will supervise the work, and how are subcontractors covered?

The short version

Verify licensing and insurance with the issuing bodies, insist on a written scope that names the permit and the product instructions, and keep product and installation warranties distinct. Treat pressure, cash-only terms and unsolicited roof offers as reasons to slow down.