9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer Near You in Westchester

new roof with designer roof shingles and mcas roofing eagle mascot

If you’re searching for a roofer near you in Westchester County, NY, you’re probably feeling the pressure of making the right decision. With hundreds of roofing contractors out there, it’s hard to tell who’s qualified—and who might leave you with a bigger problem than you started with. Choosing the wrong roofer can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

These 9 tips will help you hire a roofer near you that’s experienced, honest, and ready to protect your home like it’s their own.

1. Check if the Roofer is Licensed in Westchester County

A roofer must be licensed to work legally in Westchester. If they’re not on the county’s list of licensed contractors, move on.

You can search the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection’s database of licensed contractors

You can search by company name, or search for the individual’s name that holds the license. Every reputable roofer near you in Westchester should show up with a valid license.

2. Ask for Proof of Insurance

Roofers should carry general liability, workers’ comp, and commercial auto insurance. Insist on seeing proof!

Your roofer should be able to provide what’s called a Certificate of Insurance, or COI, before starting the project. A COI is a one-page summary of the roofer’s insurance coverage. It should clearly list the types of coverage they carry, the policy limits, and the policy dates.

You can (and should) ask them to include your name and property address under the “additional insured” section. This means that if something goes wrong on your property—like damage or injury—you’re also protected under their insurance for the duration of the job.

3. Review Photos of Similar Jobs

Ask to see photos of recent roof replacements like yours. Whether it’s a shingle, slate, flat, or metal roof, your contractor should have real examples of similar work.

We like to make it easy for our customers to learn what it’s like to work with us. That’s why we have a gallery of our residential and commercial roofing work right on our website for you to review.

Before and after photos are a great way to see that a roofer near you can get the job done right!

before shingle roof replacement near shrub oak, ny
drone photo of the top of a brand new asphalt shingle roof in a light grey color near shrub oak, ny

4. Verify Local Experience

Experience in Westchester homes matters. If the company is new to the area, ask about past projects and request references from local homeowners.

5. Ask Who Will Complete the Work

Ask if the roofer will complete the work themselves, or if they outsoure your project. There are roofing companies out there that exist only to generate the sale – then they have a completely different company complete your roofing project. 

You need to understand who is responsible for completing the work, and who is responsible if something goes wrong. Make sure the roofer you hire and pay is the company that is accountable for the final result.

6. Look for Manufacturer Certifications

Certified roofers meet higher material and installation standards. Ask if they’re certified by trusted brands like GAF, CertainTeed, or DaVinci.

It’s important that your roofer is certified by the brand of roof you choose. Certifications mean that the roofer can offer you the warranty on the roofing materials. 

GAF GOLDELITE Commercial Contractor Logo
GAF Certified Plus Residential Roofing Contractor certification
Davinci Roofscapes Masterpiece Contractor Program
johns manville logo
sarnafil logo
dectec logo

7. Get Details on Installation Warranty

Material warranties don’t cover everything. A reliable roofing company should also offer a written labor or installation warranty in case something goes wrong.

Make sure you have clear in writing the terms for the warranty on your roofing materials, and also the terms of any warranty that is offered on the labor. So if it’s installer error, who is responsible?

8. Research Their Online Reputation

Search for the company on Google and check reviews across platforms. Look for consistent feedback and signs they’re responsive to customers.

Make sure you read enough reviews to get a good sense of who you’re working with. We like to make it easy for our customers to learn what their experience will be like.

You can read 100s of reviews from past customers right on our website.

9. Cross-Check the Renegade Contractor List

Before hiring, check Westchester County’s Renegade Renovator List. If a contractor or owner is listed—or tied to someone who is—it’s best to look elsewhere.

These include roofers near you that might have complaints against them, or have their contractor license revoked.

metal roof replacement near ardsley ny on single story residential home with stone facad

Final Word of Advice

When searching for a roofer near you, don’t settle for someone just because they gave you the lowest bid. Your home is too important. Vet your options, ask these questions, and go with the roofer who earns your trust—not just your business.

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Since 1972, our family-owned roofing company has been working with customers in Westchester, Putnam & Rockland Counties.