Questions to Ask Roof Replacement Contractors Before You Sign
Questions to ask roof replacement contractors come down to four, and Flat Roofers NY answers each one in writing before you sign.
- Can you show you're licensed and insured?
- Who pulls the permit?
- Tear-off or overlay, and why?
- What do the workmanship and manufacturer warranties each cover?
Want those answers on paper?
Five questions for every bidder
Ask each roofer the same five, then line the answers up.
| Question | The answer you want | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Will I get a written, itemized estimate? | Yes. Tear-off, deck, insulation, membrane and flashing each priced. Check it against what a fair flat roof price looks like line by line. | One total, no breakdown. |
| Who pulls the permit? | We file it before work starts. | They ask you to file it. |
| How many layers come off? Tear-off or overlay? | Layers counted on a core cut, the call explained. | Overlay quoted without opening the roof. |
| What if the decking is rotten? | Per-sheet deck repair price in the contract, plus photos. | "We'll see when we're up there." |
| What if it rains mid-job? | Only open what gets sealed the same day. | No weather plan. |
Who will actually be on your roof
Get proof they're licensed and insured, and get the certificate before anyone goes up. Then ask whose crew does the work, theirs or a subcontractor's. Who runs the roof each day? You want a name.
References come next. Ask to see jobs in Queens, by neighborhood. Start with roofs we've replaced around Queens.
Four flat roof questions people skip
These apply to flat and low-slope roofs on single-family houses, attached rowhouses, two-family homes, co-ops, apartment buildings and storefronts.
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System
Which system, and why?
TPO, EPDM or modified bitumen, chosen for your building. See what replacing an EPDM rubber roof involves.
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Insulation
Is the insulation upgraded?
New polyiso under the membrane keeps the top floor warmer.
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Drainage
How is drainage fixed?
Tapered insulation and reset drains, so water stops sitting after rain.
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Flashing
Is all the flashing new?
Walls, parapets, vents and pipes get fresh flashing.
Three things to settle once you book
Go through these in the order the job runs.
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Before we start
Timeline and start date
How many days the roof takes, and who confirms the date.
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Every day
Daily cleanup
Debris hauled off and a magnetic nail sweep of the yard and sidewalk.
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At the end
Final payment
Final payment after the walk-through and roof inspection. Ask about how payments can be split across the job.
Ask us every one at the estimate
Bring your questions to ask roof replacement bidders, and we'll answer each one in a written estimate. We serve all of Queens from Elmhurst. Rather talk first? Call (917) 473-9811.
All of Queens, from Elmhurst
Call Flat Roofers NY(917) 473-9811