Before hiring a roofer, ask for the C-39 license and insurance certificate, who will be on the crew, what the inspection found, the price per sheet for rotted decking, how the warranty splits between material and workmanship, what is specific to your house, and for three recent local references.
The first time I hired a roofer I asked exactly one question: what is the price. I got three numbers, picked the middle one because that felt sensible, and spent the following winter learning what the middle number had left out.
Price is the least useful question to lead with. Bids only become comparable once you know what each one includes.
1. Can I See Your License and Insurance Certificate?
A good answer:
They give a C-39 license number without hesitating and have their insurer email the certificate directly. You can verify it yourself through the Contractors State License Board in about a minute.
Red flag:
“We are fully licensed and insured” is a sentence, not a document. Since Senate Bill 216 took effect, every C-39 roofing contractor must carry workers compensation whether or not they employ anyone, so there is no legitimate reason to dodge this question. If that coverage has lapsed and someone is injured on your property, the exposure becomes yours.
2. Who Will Actually Be on My Roof?
A good answer:
In house crews, or a clear explanation of which work is subcontracted and who supervises it.
Red flag:
A salesperson who cannot say whether the company employs its own installers. Subcontracting is normal, but you need to know who answers when something needs correcting six months later.
3. What Did You Find Up There?
A good answer:
Photographs. Deck condition, underlayment, flashing details, attic shots if a leak is active.
Red flag:
A bid written from the driveway. Those are guesses dressed as estimates. Credible Roof Repair San Diego pricing starts with someone physically examining the assembly, because what sits under the covering drives most of the cost.
4. What Happens If You Find Rot?
A good answer:
A stated price per sheet for decking replacement, written into the proposal, plus a commitment to show you the damage first.
Red flag:
“We will let you know.” Hidden deck damage is the leading source of change orders in this trade. Agree on that number before demolition, not after your roof is open and your leverage is gone.
5. What Does the Warranty Actually Cover?
A good answer:
A clear split between the manufacturer’s material warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty, with both terms stated plainly.
Red flag:
One blended figure such as “thirty-year warranty” with no breakdown. Most leaks trace back to installation, so the workmanship term matters more than the number printed on the shingle wrapper.
6. What Is Specific to My House?
A good answer:
Details about your roof. Salt corrosion on flashing if you are near the coast. Underlayment life if you have tile. Drainage if you have a low slope section. Ventilation if the attic runs damp during marine layer season.
Red flag:
A pitch that would apply equally to a house in Phoenix. Our failure pattern is distinctive, and anyone working here regularly raises it unprompted.
7. Can I Contact Three Recent Customers?
A good answer:
Local references from the past year, ideally close enough to drive past.
Red flag:
Only older references, or reviews with no verifiable detail. What matters from a past customer is not whether the crew was polite. It is what happened when something went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much deposit can a California contractor request?
Home improvement deposits are capped at ten percent of the contract price or one thousand dollars, whichever is less.
How many bids should I get?
Three. Compare the written scopes rather than the final numbers, because the cheapest bid is usually cheapest for a reason.
How do I verify a contractor’s license?
Search the license number on the Contractors State License Board website, where status, bond, and any disciplinary history are published.
Should I sign at the estimated appointment?
No. Take a day. A hard push to sign on the spot is its own answer.
Start With a Contractor Who Answers All Seven
Ask the questions, take notes, and get everything in writing before signing: scope, materials by manufacturer and product line, decking price, cleanup, and payment schedule. If you are gathering bids and want a documented, photograph backed assessment to measure the others against, request yours at fordroofingsd.com and start the comparison with real information.