Six questions a homeowner should ask before signing anything

1. Are you certified by the manufacturer of the shingle you are installing? Ask specifically for CertainTeed Shingle Master. The credential is not a marketing badge; it grants access to the strongest warranties the manufacturer issues. A contractor without it can only install the standard warranty.

2. Will you subcontract the install or run it with your own crew? Sub-contracted installs are common and not inherently bad, but they introduce a layer of accountability that often goes sideways. Ask who is on the roof on day one and who answers the phone if something goes wrong six months later. The two should be the same company.

3. What is your ventilation plan for my attic? If a contractor cannot answer this question clearly, walk away. Under-ventilated attics cook shingles from below and kill a roof in fifteen years instead of twenty-five. The answer should include intake (soffit), exhaust (ridge or box), and a square-inch ratio.

4. How do you handle deck damage that we discover during tear-off? Reputable contractors quote a per-sheet price for replacement plywood up front. Disreputable ones hand you a surprise on day three. Ask before you sign.

5. What happens if it rains during the install? The answer should include tarping protocol, dry-in timing, and who calls whom if weather rolls in. Vague answers signal a vague process.

6. Can I see your workmanship warranty in writing? Materials warranties come from the manufacturer. Workmanship warranties come from the contractor. The latter is what protects you if the installer screws up the flashing. If a contractor cannot hand you a written workmanship warranty before the project starts, they are not standing behind their work.