How To Choose A Contractor
The difference between a good roofing contractor and a bad one isn't always obvious from a website. Here's how to separate them.
The Problem, Stated
Most homeowners do a roofing project once or twice in their lives. A contractor does hundreds. That imbalance in experience is exactly why the process feels high-stakes—you're hiring someone in a category you don't know how to evaluate. A contractor's website tells you nothing about whether they'll show up on time, whether their crew respects your property, or whether the roof they install will actually stop leaking. Five contractors will give you five different quotes for the same job, and three of them will explain it differently enough that you're not sure they're even talking about the same thing.
The standard advice—get three quotes, check their insurance, read reviews—covers the basics. But it doesn't tell you which question to ask next, or what the answers actually mean. This guide walks through the decision in order, starting with the things that matter most and working toward the details that separate a solid contractor from one you'll regret hiring.
What It Typically Costs
Roofing prices vary with material, complexity, and region. Here's what homeowners in New Hampshire typically spend:
These numbers account for labor, standard asphalt shingles, and the complexity of a typical residential roof in the region. Metal roofing, copper, or slate will cost more. A steep roof, multiple penetrations, or a house requiring underlayment replacement will push the total higher. The lowest quote you get might genuinely be the best deal, or it might mean a contractor is planning to cut corners—which is why the rest of this guide matters.
The Mistake Most People Make
"We chose the cheapest bid because the other quotes seemed too high, and the roof started leaking again within two years."
The lowest bid often isn't a bargain—it's a warning. A contractor quoting half of what three other contractors quote either knows something the others don't (which is possible but rare), has misunderstood the project scope (which happens), or is planning to cut materials or labor in ways that will surface as problems later. The cost of a leak repair or a failed roof installation, in time and money, far exceeds the savings from a low bid. The sweet spot is the middle of your three quotes, not the bottom. If the lowest bid is within 10% of the middle bid, it might be fine. If it's 30% lower, ask why.
The Options Compared
When you contact a contractor, listen for these five things. They're the foundation of knowing whether you're hiring someone reliable:
| What To Ask | What It Means | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| "Are you licensed and insured?" | A licensed contractor has passed a state exam and carries a registration number. Insurance covers your property if someone gets hurt on your roof. Both are non-negotiable. | Hesitation, evasiveness, or "I don't think we need to discuss that." Every contractor in New Hampshire should carry both. |
| "Can you send me a written contract with the scope, timeline, and warranty?" | A real contract means you both agree on what's being done and what happens if something goes wrong. A warranty on labor and materials protects you if the roof fails prematurely. | Refusal to put it in writing, or a contract that's vague about what work is actually happening. Verbal agreements are how misunderstandings start. |
| "How long have you been doing roofing?" | Experience matters. A contractor doing this work for 10+ years has seen the regional climate issues and knows what fails in New England winters. Five years is minimum. | Less than three years in the business, or reluctance to answer. A newer contractor might be fine if they're working under a more experienced lead, but they should say so. |
| "Can you give me references from projects you completed this year?" | References from recent work are more reliable than work from a decade ago. You're asking to talk to people who've lived with the contractor's work in recent conditions. Three references is standard. | Inability or unwillingness to provide names. A busy contractor has hundreds of satisfied customers; they can spare three names. |
| "What's included in your warranty, and what does it cover?" | Warranties vary. Some are 10-year manufacturer warranties on materials only. Others are contractor labor warranties covering the installation itself. Know which you're getting. | A blanket "10-year warranty" without detail on what that covers. Ask specifically: does it cover leaks, blown-off shingles, and labor if something goes wrong? |
Moving Forward
After you've asked these five questions and checked the answers against the red flags above, you've eliminated most bad options. What you're left with are contractors who are professional, transparent, and have staying power. The final step is to pick the one who feels right—the person you trust to spend time on your property and do the work correctly. That feeling often comes from how quickly they respond to questions, how clearly they explain what they'll do, and whether they're willing to walk you through the contract and warranty before you sign. Trust your instinct. A contractor who's eager to answer questions now will be easier to work with after you've hired them.