Hiring, 6 min read
How to hire a roofer in Arizona
A roof is one of the largest purchases most homeowners make, and the contractor matters as much as the materials. Here is how to check a roofer out before you sign anything.
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The short answer
To hire a roofer in Arizona, confirm an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) license at roc.az.gov, ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and get a detailed written estimate and contract. Avoid anyone who asks for a large cash payment up front, pressures you to sign that day, or cannot give you a local address.
Start with the ROC license lookup
In Arizona, contractors who do roofing work for pay generally must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The ROC runs a public lookup at roc.az.gov where you can search by business name, license number or the name of a qualifying party. It takes a couple of minutes and it is the single most useful check you can make.
When you pull up a license, look at more than whether it exists. Check that the status is active, that the business name matches the name on the estimate, and that the license classification covers roofing. Residential roofing is typically licensed under a residential roofing classification (R-42) or a dual residential and commercial classification (CR-42). A general handyman or a landscaping license is not the same thing.
The lookup also shows the license history and any complaints that went through the ROC process. One old, resolved complaint on a long-running business is not unusual. A pattern of recent complaints, suspensions or a license issued last month under a new name deserves more questions. Our license is ROC #096629, and we encourage every homeowner to look it up.
Bonds and insurance: what each one does
Licensed Arizona contractors carry a license bond, which the ROC requires as a condition of the license. A bond is not insurance for your house. It is a limited pool of money that can help a homeowner if a contractor fails to follow the law or the contract. Homeowners who hire a licensed residential contractor may also have access to the Arizona Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund, which exists for valid claims against licensed residential contractors. Hiring an unlicensed roofer generally leaves you outside that protection.
Insurance is separate. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance, which covers damage the crew causes to your property, and proof of workers' compensation, which covers injuries to workers on your roof. Roofing is physical work at height, and if an uninsured worker is hurt at your home, you do not want that to become your problem. A legitimate contractor will have the certificates sent directly from their insurance agent.
Get a written estimate you can compare
Every bid should be in writing and should describe the actual work, not just a total. A useful estimate names the roof area, the material and color, whether the old roof is being removed, the underlayment type, how damaged decking will be handled, flashing and vent work, permits, cleanup and the warranty. Two estimates that look far apart are often describing different jobs.
Our guide to reading a roofing estimate walks through each line item. For a general sense of what drives cost, see the Roofing Cost Guide. Every roof is different, so a real number only comes from looking at your roof.
Questions to ask every roofer
Ask the same questions of each contractor so the answers are easy to compare. Write the answers down, because a good contractor will be happy to put them in the estimate or contract.
- What is your ROC license number, and who is the qualifying party?
- Can your insurance agent send me certificates for liability and workers' compensation?
- Will your own crew do the work, or do you subcontract it?
- Who will be my point of contact during the job, and how do I reach them?
- What underlayment and flashing will you use, and is that written in the estimate?
- How do you handle rotted decking or other surprises once the old roof is off?
- Will you pull the permit, and who schedules the inspections?
- What does the workmanship warranty cover, for how long, and is it in writing?
- How do you protect my landscaping, pool and driveway, and how do you clean up nails?
What a good roofing contract includes
The contract turns the estimate into an agreement. It should list the contractor's legal name, address and ROC number, the full scope of work, materials by brand or specification, the price, how change orders are handled, the payment schedule, the expected start window and the warranty terms. Read the warranty language closely, including what voids it.
Change orders matter on roofs because some problems, like soft decking, only show up during tear-off. A fair contract explains how hidden damage will be priced, for example as a set rate per sheet, and says the contractor will show you the damage before charging for it. Do not sign a contract with blank spaces, and keep a signed copy for your records.
If you sign a contract at your home after a salesperson comes to your door, federal and Arizona rules generally give you a short window to cancel. The contract should explain your cancellation rights in writing.
Payment terms that protect you
Reasonable payment terms tie money to progress. A modest deposit to schedule the job or order special materials is common, with the balance due at milestones or on completion. Be cautious about paying most of the job before any work starts, and never pay a large amount in cash to someone you cannot verify.
Pay by check or another traceable method, get a receipt for every payment, and make payments to the business named on the license rather than to an individual. Before the final payment, walk the job with the contractor, confirm the permit inspection passed, and make sure cleanup is done. Ask whether the contractor provides lien releases from material suppliers, which helps protect you if a supplier is not paid.
Permits and inspections
Most cities in the Phoenix area require a permit for a roof replacement and for many larger repairs, and the city inspects the work. Rules differ between Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix and other cities, so ask your contractor what your city requires. The licensed contractor normally pulls the permit, and the permit should show their name and license number.
A roofer who asks you to pull the permit yourself as an owner-builder, or who says a full replacement does not need one, is shifting responsibility onto you. Permits protect you when you sell the house, too, since buyers and inspectors may ask about unpermitted work.
Storm chasers and other red flags
After a big monsoon storm, out-of-state crews often arrive in Arizona neighborhoods, knock on doors and offer fast roof replacements paid by insurance. Some are legitimate, but many are gone by October, which makes warranty service difficult. A local contractor with a physical office and a long history is easier to hold to a promise.
Watch for these warning signs before you sign:
- No ROC license, a license under a different name, or a license that is not for roofing.
- Pressure to sign today, or a deal that expires when the salesperson leaves.
- Requests for a large cash payment up front.
- An offer to cover or waive your insurance deductible, which can be insurance fraud.
- A bid far below the others with a vague, one-line scope.
- No local address, only a cell phone number and an out-of-state plate.
- Asking you to sign over your insurance claim before they have inspected the roof.
How we approach it
Integrity Roofing has been family owned and operated since 1993, with one office in Gilbert at 16308 E Fairview St. We are licensed, bonded and insured under ROC #096629. When we look at a roof we explain what we see, show photos, and put the scope in writing so you can compare it with any other bid. Read more about us or see our roof inspections.
To schedule an estimate, call 602-548-3770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. If we don't answer, leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? Call the office at 602-548-3770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
How do I check a roofer's license in Arizona?
Go to roc.az.gov and use the contractor search. Look up the business name or license number, then confirm the license is active, the name matches your estimate, and the classification covers roofing work.
Does a roofer in Arizona need a license?
Generally yes. Arizona requires contractors to be licensed by the Registrar of Contractors for roofing work, with only narrow exceptions for very small jobs. A roof replacement or significant repair should always be done by a licensed contractor.
What is the difference between a bond and insurance?
A license bond is a limited amount of money tied to the contractor's license that can help if the contractor violates the law or contract. Liability insurance covers damage the crew causes to your property, and workers' compensation covers injured workers. You want a contractor with all three.
How many roofing estimates should I get?
Two or three detailed written estimates is usually enough to understand the scope and the range. More important than the number is making sure each estimate describes the same work so the comparison is fair.
How much should I pay up front for a new roof?
A modest deposit is common, with the rest tied to progress or completion. Be wary of anyone who wants most of the money before work begins, and always pay with a traceable method to the licensed business.
Is it a red flag if a roofer offers to cover my deductible?
Yes. Offering to waive or absorb your insurance deductible can amount to insurance fraud, and it often signals a contractor who plans to cut corners elsewhere. A reputable roofer will not make that offer.
Who pulls the roofing permit?
In most cases the licensed contractor pulls the permit and schedules the city inspection. Be cautious if a roofer asks you to pull it yourself, because that can shift responsibility for the work onto you.
How can I tell if a roofer is a storm chaser?
Storm chasers often arrive right after a big storm, knock on doors, push for quick decisions and lack a local office or Arizona history. Check the ROC license date and business address, and favor contractors who will still be around for warranty calls.
Let's take a look at your roof.
Call the office at 602-548-3770 to schedule an estimate, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. If we don't answer, leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.