Roofing is one of those trades where the gap between a good contractor and a bad one is enormous. A good roof lasts 20 to 25 years and you never think about it. A bad roof leaks, fails early, and costs you far more than you saved on the original job. Here's how to tell the difference before you sign anything.
Start With the License
In Massachusetts, anyone doing home improvement work over $1,000 is required to have a Home Improvement Contractor license. Roofers also need a Construction Supervisor License if they're pulling permits. These are not optional. They're not suggestions. They're the law.
Ask any contractor you're considering for their HIC number and CSL number. Then go verify them at the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs website. If a contractor can't give you those numbers or gets weird when you ask, that's your answer right there.
Make Sure They're Insured
This is non-negotiable. Any legitimate roofing contractor carries general liability insurance and workers compensation. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't insured, you could be on the hook for it.
Ask for a certificate of insurance before any work starts. A real contractor will send it without hesitation. If they hedge or make excuses, walk away.
Be Careful With Storm Chasers
After any significant storm in Massachusetts, out-of-state contractors flood the area looking for work. They knock on doors, offer quick estimates, and push for fast decisions. Some of them do decent work. A lot of them don't, and when something goes wrong six months later they're long gone.
Stick with local contractors who have a reputation in your community. Someone who lives and works in southeastern Massachusetts has a lot more to lose by cutting corners than someone who drove up from another state.
A good rule: never hire a contractor who shows up uninvited after a storm and pressures you to sign the same day. Legitimate contractors don't work that way.
Get Multiple Estimates
Get at least three estimates for any significant roofing job. Not because you should automatically go with the lowest, but because it helps you understand what a fair price looks like and gives you a sense of how different contractors communicate.
Pay attention to how detailed the estimate is. A good contractor gives you a written breakdown of exactly what's included: tear-off, decking inspection, underlayment, shingle brand and grade, flashing, cleanup. A vague one-line estimate is a red flag.
Ask Who's Actually Doing the Work
This is a question a lot of homeowners don't think to ask and probably the most important one. A lot of roofing companies sell the job and then hand it off to a subcontractor you've never met. That subcontractor may be great. Or they may be whoever was available that week.
Ask directly: who will be on my roof on the day of installation? Is it your own crew? Will you or someone from your company be on site supervising? The answers tell you a lot about how seriously a contractor takes quality control.
Check Reviews Carefully
Google reviews are useful but read them with some skepticism. Look for patterns, not individual reviews. A contractor with 50 reviews averaging 4.8 stars is more meaningful than one with 5 reviews averaging 5 stars. Also read the negative reviews and how the contractor responded to them. That tells you how they handle problems.
Also ask the contractor for references from recent jobs in your area. A confident contractor will have no problem giving you names of homeowners you can call.
Watch Out for These Red Flags
- No physical address or only a PO box
- Pressure to sign immediately or the price goes up
- Asking for full payment upfront
- No written contract or vague contract language
- Can't provide license or insurance numbers
- Unusually low estimate with no explanation
- No local reviews or references
What a Good Contractor Looks Like
They answer the phone or call you back the same day. They show up on time for the estimate. They give you a clear written proposal. They can explain exactly what they're doing and why. They don't pressure you. They're easy to reach before, during, and after the job.
At Faria & Son Roofing, Joshua is on every job we do. Not a project manager. Not a subcontractor. The owner. If you have a question before we start, you talk to Joshua. If something comes up during the job, Joshua is right there. We think that's how it should work, and we've built our business around it.
We serve Somerset, Swansea, Rehoboth, Westport, and Seekonk. Call us at 508-989-8383 or request a free estimate online. Same-day response, no pressure.