Choosing a roofing contractor is one of the biggest home decisions you will make. These ten questions separate the professionals from the fly-by-night crews.

A new roof is a major investment, often one of the largest a homeowner makes, and the contractor you choose matters just as much as the shingles you pick. The right company protects your home and your budget for decades; the wrong one can leave you with leaks, voided warranties, and no one to call. Before you sign anything, sit down with each contractor and ask these ten questions. The answers reveal who is truly professional and who is just passing through.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is non-negotiable. A legitimate contractor carries both liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Liability protects your property if something is damaged during the job, and workers' comp protects you from being held responsible if a worker is injured on your roof. Always ask to see current certificates, not just a verbal assurance.

2. Are You Local, and How Long Have You Been in Business?

Local companies have a reputation to protect and will still be here if you need warranty service in five years. After big storms, out-of-town crews flood the area, do fast work, and disappear. A contractor with years of history in the Omaha metro and a physical local address is far more likely to stand behind their work.

3. Can You Provide Local References?

Any established contractor can point you to recent customers in your area. Ask for references, read online reviews, and if possible drive by a few completed jobs. A strong track record of satisfied neighbors is one of the best predictors of your own experience.

4. What Does the Written Estimate Include?

A professional estimate is detailed: it spells out materials, labor, tear-off and disposal, flashing, underlayment, and cleanup. Be wary of a vague one-line price. A clear, itemized estimate protects both of you and makes it easy to compare bids on equal footing.

5. Which Manufacturer Warranties Apply?

There are two kinds of warranty: the manufacturer's coverage on the materials and the contractor's coverage on the workmanship. Ask about both. Certified contractors can often offer enhanced manufacturer warranties that standard installers cannot, and improper installation can void material coverage entirely.

6. Who Will Actually Be on My Roof?

Some companies subcontract every job. That is not automatically bad, but you deserve to know who is doing the work, whether they are trained and insured, and who supervises them. Ask whether a project manager will be on site and how you will reach them during the job.

7. How Will You Protect the Rest of My Property?

Roof work is messy. Torn-off shingles, nails, and debris can damage landscaping, siding, and windows if a crew is careless. A professional will explain how they protect your gutters, plants, and walls, and how they handle cleanup and nail sweeps at the end of each day.

Confirm daily cleanup and magnetic nail sweeps.
Ask about tarps and plywood to shield landscaping and AC units.
Clarify where dumpsters and materials will be staged.

8. What Happens If You Find Damaged Decking?

Once the old shingles come off, crews sometimes discover rotted or damaged decking that must be replaced. Ask how the contractor handles this: the price per sheet, how they document it, and whether they will show you the damage before charging for it. A transparent answer here prevents surprise change orders.

9. Do You Help With Insurance Claims?

If your roof was damaged by a storm, an experienced local contractor can be invaluable in documenting the damage and working with your insurance adjuster. Ask whether they handle claims regularly and how they support homeowners through the process.

10. What Is the Timeline and Payment Schedule?

Understand when the work will start, how long it should take, and how payment is structured. Be cautious of any contractor demanding full payment up front. A reasonable deposit followed by payment on completion is standard, and a clear timeline sets expectations for the whole project.

Making Your Decision

The cheapest bid is rarely the best value, and the flashiest sales pitch is not the same as quality work. Use these ten questions to compare contractors on what actually matters: credentials, transparency, local reputation, and how they treat your home. Royalty Roofing welcomes every one of these questions, because clear answers are exactly what has earned us Best of Omaha recognition year after year. When you are ready, reach out for a free, no-pressure estimate and see the difference professionalism makes.