Posted on 2026-02-08 20:37:30

Roof work is high stakes. A roof protects structure, contents, and safety, and it sits at the mercy of weather on day one. When a contractor gets it wrong, the consequences can be immediate, expensive, and sometimes unfixable without a full tear-off. Hiring the right professional begins with the unglamorous checks: licensing, insurance, and documentation that prove a roofer is operating above board. Those pieces tell you more than the glossy portfolio photos ever will.

This guide walks through how to verify credentials, why the details matter, and how to read the fine print like someone who has been on both sides of the contract. The focus is practical: what to ask for, what to call, what to click, and what to write into your agreement so you do not inherit someone else’s risk.

Why licensing and insurance are not paperwork for paperwork’s sake

Licensing and insurance are the minimum bar for hiring roofers. A state or municipal license signals the contractor has met baseline requirements, which can include trade exams, financial responsibility, and bonding. It also means you have a regulatory body to complain to if something goes sideways. Insurance shifts catastrophic risk away from you. Roofing is inherently dangerous, and ladders, tear-offs, and nail guns make for real exposure. If a worker is injured on your property or a crew drops a bundle of shingles through your skylight, the wrong insurance setup can leave you paying the bill.

On a typical roof replacement, there may be a general contractor, a roofing subcontractor, a supplier delivering materials with a boom truck, and sometimes a dumpster company. Any gap in coverage among those players can land in your lap if your contract is loose or a policy has exclusions you did not spot.

Start with jurisdiction: where to check licensing

Licensing is local. About two-thirds of states license roofing contractors at the state level, some leave it to cities or counties, and a handful only require a general contractor license for larger jobs. Before you evaluate a bid, figure out which office in your area regulates roofing. The simplest path is your state’s Department of Professional Regulation or Contractor Licensing Board. Many have searchable databases that show license type, status, expiration date, and disciplinary actions. In home-rule cities, check the city’s building department. If your jurisdiction issues separate licenses for residential and commercial work, make sure the license matches your project type.

When a roofer shows you a license number, confirm it on the official portal. Names and numbers should match exactly, including the legal entity suffix. LLC versus Inc. matters. If the business name on the license differs from the name on the proposal, ask for a written explanation and proof that the entities are related, such as a DBA filing.

A quick caution about reciprocity and “transient” crews: after major storms, out-of-state teams swarm into affected areas. Some are excellent, fully licensed in their home states, yet not authorized where the work occurs. Most states require in-state licensing or registration to pull permits. If a contractor says they use a “local license holder” to pull permits, that means a third party will be legally responsible. You can accept that arrangement only if you vet the actual permit holder as your contractor of record and list that entity in your contract.

What a valid roofing license should imply, and what it does not

A valid license should imply the contractor:

Passed required exams or has documented experience, depending on jurisdiction. Carries minimum insurance or bonding consistent with state or local rules. Is subject to discipline for violations, with public records.

It does not guarantee craftsmanship, schedule discipline, or business solvency. A license is a gate, not a finish line. I have seen licensed roofing contractors botch basic flashing, underbid jobs then disappear midstream, and miss manufacturer specifications that void warranties. Treat licensing as the first filter, not your only test.

Insurance types you should verify, line by line

When I vet Roofing contractors, I ask for three documents at a minimum: a certificate of insurance for general liability, proof of workers’ compensation, and additional insured and waiver endorsements written in my favor. If they subcontract, I require flow-down proof that subs carry the same. The devil lives in details few homeowners ever read.

General liability covers property damage and bodily injury to third parties. For residential roof replacement, I look for at least 1 million dollars per occurrence, 2 million aggregate. Some reputable Roofers carry 2/4 million. Read the certificate’s operations description for exclusions. Pay attention to roofing-specific endorsements that restrict coverage, such as residential roofing exclusions, height limitations, or open roof exclusions. If any of those appear, coverage may not respond to the most common roof claims.

Workers’ compensation protects the crew. If a worker falls, that policy pays benefits. Without it, plaintiffs’ attorneys come knocking on the homeowner’s door. Even if a roofing firm says “we are exempt” because the owner is the only employee, ask who will be on your roof. If they use a labor broker or subcontract crew, those workers need coverage. Every state handles exemptions differently. When in doubt, ask for a workers’ comp certificate listing employee headcount or classification codes that include roofing. In many states, roofing classification is 5551 or a close cousin, not a generic carpentry code.

Commercial auto covers trucks and trailers. It matters when a dump truck backs into your brick mailbox or a boom truck bumps power lines. Not every homeowner requires it, but I do if the contractor brings heavy equipment onto my property.

Umbrella or excess liability can sit above general, auto, and workers’ comp. It is a backstop for large claims. Serious firms often carry a one to five million dollar umbrella.

Most certificates are ACORD forms. They are a snapshot, not a guarantee. Policies can be canceled after the certificate is issued. To tighten the safety net, ask for:

An additional insured endorsement naming you and, if applicable, your lender or HOA, on both ongoing and completed operations. Completed operations matters because most roof claims appear after the crew leaves. A primary and noncontributory endorsement, which makes the contractor’s policy respond before yours. A waiver of subrogation, so their insurer will not come after you to recover payments.

Insurers issue endorsements by form number. I ask to see the actual endorsement pages, not just the certificate’s notes. If a contractor hesitates, that is a flag. Any mature roofing company can provide them within a day.

Call the agent, not just the contractor

After you get certificates and endorsements, call the insurance agent listed. Verify active policy numbers, effective dates, limits, and whether there are roofing exclusions. Agents will not share private details, but they will confirm status. I have uncovered lapsed workers’ comp twice this way, both times on crews that swore they were current. A 3-minute phone call saved me a potential six-figure problem.

Some owners worry that calling the agent feels adversarial. Professionals understand that careful clients are good clients. If a roofer resents basic verification, the relationship will not survive a rain delay or a change order.

Permits, inspections, and who pulls them

Your permit process is an overlooked insurance policy of its own. If a permit is required, the entity that pulls it is responsible to the building department for code compliance. Always insist the named contractor, the same one in your contract and on the license, pulls the permit. If a salesperson proposes to “do it without a permit to save time,” walk away. Unpermitted work creates resale and insurance claim headaches. Many insurers deny storm-damage claims if prior unpermitted work contributed to failure.

Inspectors vary in rigor, but even a quick in-progress and final inspection deters corner-cutting. I have seen an inspector spot unsealed fasteners on ridge caps that would have leaked in the first freeze-thaw cycle. That 2-minute correction saved me a call back in January on a ladder in the wind.

Manufacturer credentials and what they actually mean

You will see badges like GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum, CertainTeed ShingleMaster. These designations often require proof of insurance, local licensing, and training. Some come with extended manufacturer-backed labor warranties if installed to spec. They can signal a higher bar, but do not let a badge substitute for your own checks.

Ask the contractor to show the manufacturer documentation that corresponds to your exact system. Extended warranties frequently require matching components, such as underlayment, starter strip, and ridge vent from the same brand. If the contractor proposes to mix brands, the premium warranty may not apply. Get the warranty terms in writing before the job starts, including the registration process and who handles it.

Contracts that protect you before a shingle lands on the driveway

A good contract is short on fluff and specific on risk. When I draft owner-side terms, I press for clarity in six areas: scope, schedule, payment, change orders, safety and site protection, and insurance/warranty.

Scope should describe tear-off layers, deck repairs by unit price, underlayment type and mills, ice and water shield coverage by footage from eaves and valleys, flashing replacements rather than reusing existing, and ventilation strategy. Generalities invite disputes. If your roof replacement ties into masonry or siding, add language on who handles counterflashing and integration details.

Schedule needs real dates, but build in weather allowances. Ask for a start window, not a vague “we will fit you in.” Include a daily work hours clause and a prohibition on leaving the roof open overnight without proper temporary dry-in. If storms pop up, your contract should require the crew to secure tarps, not just promise to “monitor the weather.”

Payment should favor work completed, not front-loaded deposits. Custom orders like metal panels or specialty shingles sometimes justify a materials deposit, but I rarely pay more than 10 to 20 percent upfront, with the balance due upon substantial completion and proof of passed inspections. Tie your final payment to delivery of unconditional lien waivers from the contractor and any known suppliers. Without waivers, you risk supplier liens even if you have paid the roofer in full.

Change orders need a simple rule: no changes without written approval that includes price and time impact. Roofing uncovers surprises, especially rotten decking or hidden layers. A unit price per sheet of decking, installed, keeps things honest. I carry a contingency of 3 to 8 percent for surprises on older homes.

Safety and site protection sound like boilerplate until a ladder gouges your cedar trim or nail debris punctures tires. Require magnetic nail sweeps at day’s end and final, protection for landscaping, plywood paths for heavy equipment across delicate pavers or lawns, and an on-site dumpster with boards under wheels to prevent ruts and cracks. If you have pets or a toddler, state how gates will be managed.

Insurance and warranty provisions should incorporate the endorsements already discussed, require the contractor to maintain coverage through completion, and obligate them to provide certificates before mobilization. For warranties, distinguish between the manufacturer’s material warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty. I prefer a labor warranty of at least five years on standard asphalt shingles and longer on premium systems. Ensure the workmanship warranty is transferable if you sell within that window, and specify response times for leak calls.

Red flags that look minor until they cost you

I have kept a small notebook of near-misses and modest disasters that started as “probably fine.” A few patterns show up repeatedly.

A contractor who refuses to provide copies of endorsements, not just a certificate, often has a policy with exclusions or a shoestring operation that cannot get additional insured endorsements issued quickly. One told me, “Our agent charges extra, we can’t do that.” That is your cue to pass.

A bid that is 25 percent below the pack usually hides something: uninsured labor, subcontractors paid cash, reused flashing, or no tear-off when one is needed. If you press on scope details and the number drifts up fast, you have your answer.

A salesperson who promises manufacturer warranties without explaining component requirements or registration steps may be overselling. I once asked a Platinum-level salesman to show me the warranty document that matched his pitch. He emailed a marketing brochure. The actual fine print required matching accessories and a ventilation calculation. His crew had planned to reuse old box vents.

An out-of-state license or a mismatch between the company on the truck and the one on the contract is common after storms. Some firms are legitimate temporary operations that rent yard space and hire local staff. Others fold as soon as the hail claims slow. Ask how long they will service warranties and who will answer the phone six months from now. If they cannot name a local superintendent or a brick-and-mortar address with a lease, you will struggle to get them back for a minor leak.

Storms, insurance claims, and assignment of benefits

If your roof replacement follows a hail or wind event, your homeowner’s insurance may cover part or all of the job. Storm-chasing outfits often push an assignment of benefits, which lets them deal directly with your insurer. That convenience can cost control. With an AOB, the contractor may make choices that maximize their payout, not your long-term value. If you prefer to keep control, authorize your contractor to communicate with the adjuster but keep the insurance payout flowing through you, not assigned away.

When a contractor offers to “eat your deductible,” step back. In many states, waiving deductibles is illegal and often achieved by inflating other line items. Insurers are alert to that tactic. If they flag it, your claim and your contractor both get extra scrutiny. A professional roofer will help you document damage, meet adjusters on-site, and price the job accurately to scope, not to a target payment.

Vetting subcontractors when your roofer does not self-perform

Many Roofing contractors hire subcontract crews for tear-off and installation. Subcontracting is not a problem by itself. Some of the best installers I have worked with are specialist subs who run tight, efficient crews. The risk appears when the general contractor’s insurance does not flow down or the subcontractor’s insurance has roofing exclusions.

Ask your prime contractor for a list of any subs they expect to use. Require certificates and endorsements from those subs with the same limits and protections, naming you and the prime contractor as additional insureds. Confirm that the subcontract agreement between the prime and the sub includes an indemnity clause and insurance requirements that mirror your contract. You do not need to see their entire subcontract, but a redacted page with the insurance clause builds confidence that the paper trail exists.

On-site, learn who the working foreman is and get a cell number. If language is a barrier, know who translates safety and scope instructions. Misunderstandings about flashing details or vent locations do not fix themselves.

Due diligence beyond paper: references, workmanship, and communication

Credentials are necessary, not sufficient. I ask for three recent jobs, within the last year, with addresses and permission to contact owners. If possible, I drive by in different light. Straight cut lines, consistent shingle reveals, neat ridge lines, and clean flashing terminations tell you more than a website gallery. If the homeowners will talk, I ask two questions: what went wrong and how did the contractor respond. Every job has hiccups. The answer reveals character.

I also ask to see an in-progress job. Watching a crew lay underlayment and flash a chimney will tell you whether training has stuck. I look for simple things like drip edge under the underlayment at rakes and over it at eaves, properly woven or metal valley details depending on system, and fastener placement. If you are not comfortable judging details, bring a trusted inspector for an hour. A few hundred dollars there can prevent a five-figure mistake.

Communication sets the tone. Does the contractor return calls promptly, send requested documents without drama, and explain scope decisions without jargon? A contractor who can teach while they sell usually builds better roofs. They know why they choose a synthetic underlayment versus felt, how many feet of ice and water shield your climate needs, and how to balance intake and exhaust ventilation. If they shrug at code or manufacturer specs and say “we have always done it this way,” keep looking.

The permit card tells a story on install day

When the job starts, ask to see the permit card or notice. It should match the contractor and address and be posted as required. Inspectors sometimes note corrections on that card. Photograph it at each inspection. Keep copies of delivery tickets for shingles, underlayment, and accessory components. If a dispute arises about whether a certain product was used, delivery tickets help. On one project, a supplier shorted ice and water shield rolls. The crew improvised with felt in a valley. The delivery tickets made the correction quick once I spotted the mismatch.

Warranty registration and the final paper handoff

At the end, do not let the last crew member drive off before your paperwork is complete. Ask for:

Unconditional final lien waivers from the contractor and any known material suppliers. A copy of the final passed inspection or certificate of completion, where applicable. Proof of warranty registration from the manufacturer, if your system qualifies. Many require online registration within 30 to 60 days. Get the confirmation email forwarded to you. A written workmanship warranty that states term, coverage, and how to request service. Store the contact information in two places. People change jobs, but companies should have a service line.

Walk the site with a magnet roller yourself. You will find a handful of nails the crew missed. It takes five minutes and can save a tire.

A compact verification routine you can reuse

Use the following five-step routine to keep your process consistent across bids.

Confirm license status online at the state or city portal, and match legal names and addresses across license, proposal, and insurance. Request and review insurance: general liability, workers’ compensation, auto if heavy equipment, and umbrella if available. Require additional insured, primary and noncontributory, completed operations, and waiver of subrogation endorsements. Call the agent to verify. Align permits and scope: require the contractor of record to pull permits, define materials and methods in writing, and set weather and temporary dry-in obligations. Structure payments: minimal deposit, progress based on inspection milestones, final payment only after passed inspection, punch list completion, and receipt of unconditional lien waivers. Close with documentation: warranty registrations, final inspection report, delivery tickets, and contact details for service.

Tape that list to the inside of your project folder. It saves you from skipping a step when you are juggling work and family and the dumpster just rolled into your driveway.

Regional nuances and edge cases

A few local wrinkles can change the playbook. In some coastal zones, code requires high-wind nailing patterns, peel-and-stick membranes over the entire deck, or ring-shank nails. Verify your roofer’s familiarity with those rules. In snow country, ice dam zones often require three to six feet of ice and water shield from the eave inward. A bid that skimps there will look cheaper, then cost you in February.

Historic districts can complicate replacements. Some commissions require like-for-like materials or specific profiles. If you are in a district, plan for a longer permitting cycle and get the roofer in front of the commission staff early. Skilled contractors know how to balance appearance with modern underlayment and ventilation without drawing a violation.

Flat roofs on additions or porches need different expertise. An asphalt shingle specialist may not be the right pro for a torch-down or TPO section. If your home has both, either hire a contractor competent in both systems or split the scope cleanly with a general contractor to coordinate tie-ins and warranties. Mixing trades without clear responsibility for transitions creates leaks that leave everyone pointing fingers.

Cost versus coverage: what you pay for when bids differ

It is normal to see a 10 to 20 percent spread among credible bids. Major gaps deserve extra questions. Higher bids often include full flashing replacement, more generous ice and water shield, upgraded underlayment, disposal fees that cover double tear-off, and a longer workmanship warranty backed by a firm that will pick up the phone in five years. Lower bids sometimes count on reusing flashings or skipping ventilation upgrades. Ask each roofer to price alternates openly. You may choose to keep existing chimney flashing if it is copper in excellent shape, for example, but you should make that decision, not have it made for you without disclosure.

You can set a standard scope across all bidders. I draft a one-page scope summary and attach it to each RFP so everyone prices the same work: tear-off to deck, replace all flashings, ice and water shield 3 feet from eaves and in valleys, synthetic underlayment elsewhere, drip edge all edges, ridge vent plus matching intake, new pipe boots, and permit included. That standardization narrows spreads and lets you focus on team and track record.

The quiet value of a contractor who says “no”

A roofer who pushes back can be your best ally. If a homeowner insists on nailing new shingles over two old layers to save money, the right contractor declines. If you ask for an architectural shingle on a low-slope section outside manufacturer spec, a pro will recommend a modified bitumen or a membrane and explain why. I hired one contractor precisely because he talked me out of an aesthetic choice that would have increased leak risk at a dead valley. That honesty paid for itself in peace of mind the first heavy rain.

Aftercare and the first storm test

The first six months tell you a lot. After your roof replacement, keep an eye on attic spaces after a driving rain. Look near penetrations: chimneys, skylights, bath vents. A musty smell or a stained rafter calls for Roof repair a call-back right away. The best Roofing contractors treat punch lists and minor leaks as part of the job, not an affront. They will schedule promptly, document the fix, and often extend the workmanship clock from the date of the repair.

Keep gutters clear the first season. Tear-off debris sometimes hides in downspouts. A clogged leader can look like a roof leak when water backs up under eave edges. I recommend a visual check after the first big storm and again after the first freeze.

Bottom line

Vetting a roofer on licensing and insurance is not about catching someone out. It is about aligning incentives, placing risk where it belongs, and creating a paper trail that supports craftsmanship. With a clear scope, verified coverage, and a contract that anticipates rain, you can choose Roofers with confidence and get a roof replacement that performs for years. The rooftops that give me the least trouble were not the cheapest or the fanciest. They were the ones where the contractor took pride in their paperwork, their crew, and the fasteners you will never see.

The Roofing Store LLC (Plainfield, CT)

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Name: The Roofing Store LLC

Address: 496 Norwich Rd, Plainfield, CT 06374
Phone: (860) 564-8300
Toll Free: (866) 766-3117

Website: https://www.roofingstorellc.com/

Email: [email protected]

Hours:
Mon: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tue: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Plus Code: M3PP+JH Plainfield, Connecticut

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Coordinates: 41.6865306, -71.9136158

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Primary Category: RoofingContractor

Core Services (from site navigation & service pages):
• Residential Roofing
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The Roofing Store is a affordable roofing contractor in Plainfield, CT serving Windham County.

For roof installation, The Roofing Store helps property owners protect their home or building with trusted workmanship.

Need exterior upgrades beyond roofing? The Roofing Store also offers home additions for customers in and around Wauregan.

Call (860) 564-8300 to request a consultation from a customer-focused roofing contractor.

Find The Roofing Store on Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Roofing+Store+LLC/@41.6865305,-71.9184867,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e42d227f70d9e3:0x73c1a6008e78bdd5!8m2!3d41.6865306!4d-71.9136158!16s%2Fg%2F1tdzxr9g?entry=tts

Landmarks Near Plainfield, CT

Moosup Valley State Park Trail (Sterling/Plainfield) — Take a walk nearby, then call a local contractor if your exterior needs attention: GEO/LANDMARK
Moosup River (Plainfield area access points) — If you’re in the area, it’s a great local reference point: GEO/LANDMARK
Moosup Pond — A well-known local pond in Plainfield: GEO/LANDMARK
Lions Park (Plainfield) — Community park and recreation spot: GEO/LANDMARK
Quinebaug Trail (near Plainfield) — A popular hiking route in the region: GEO/LANDMARK
Wauregan (village area, Plainfield) — Historic village section of town: GEO/LANDMARK
Moosup (village area, Plainfield) — Village center and surrounding neighborhoods: GEO/LANDMARK
Central Village (Plainfield) — Another local village area: GEO/LANDMARK

How to Vet Roofing Contractors for Insurance and Licensing