Hiring the wrong roofer is one of the most expensive mistakes a NJ homeowner can make — a roof installed badly leaks, voids its manufacturer warranty, and costs more to fix than it did to install. The good news: a handful of specific questions, asked before you sign anything, will quickly separate a legitimate licensed contractor from a storm chaser or a lowball operator. Here are the twelve we'd want a family member to ask, the answers a real NJ contractor gives, and the red flags that mean walk away.
None of these are gotcha questions. A reputable contractor answers all of them easily and in writing. The ones who get evasive are telling you something.
License and insurance — the non-negotiables
Are you registered as a NJ Home Improvement Contractor, and what's your NJHIC number? Every contractor doing home-improvement work in NJ must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The number should be on the contract and verifiable. No number, no deal.
Can you email me your certificate of insurance? A legitimate contractor carries general liability and workers' compensation and can send the certificate within an hour. This matters enormously: if an uninsured worker is hurt on your roof, the liability can land on you. Don't accept 'we're insured, trust me' — get the certificate.
Do you have a NJ business address and a track record here? Storm chasers move state to state and work out of trucks with out-of-state plates. Ask how long they've operated in NJ and for references from completed local jobs.
Scope and materials — what you're actually buying
Are you tearing off the old roof or going over it? The answer should be tear-off. Overlays (new shingles over old) void manufacturer warranties, hide rotted decking, and violate code in most NJ towns after one prior layer. A contractor pushing an overlay to save money is selling you a problem.
Exactly what material — make, model, and color? 'Premium architectural shingle' is a red flag; 'GAF Timberline HDZ in Charcoal' is an answer. The same goes for the accessory system: underlayment, ice & water shield, starter, ridge cap, and ventilation should all be specified.
What's your decking-replacement allowance? Rotted decking is the most common hidden cost. A good quote includes a per-sheet price and a quantity allowance so you're not hit with an open-ended 'as needed' charge after tear-off.
Is all the flashing being replaced? Reusing old flashing is a leak waiting to happen and can void the warranty. New step, valley, and counter flashing should be in the scope.
Warranty — and the GAF tier honesty test
What manufacturer warranty do I get, and what tier? There's a big difference between the basic 25-year prorated material warranty that comes with any install and an upgraded system warranty. As a GAF Certified contractor we register the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty — 50-year non-prorated material, 2-year workmanship, and tear-off labor on a covered claim.
Here's the honesty test: ask specifically about GAF Golden Pledge or Master Elite. Golden Pledge is available only through GAF Master Elite contractors — a small percentage of the market — and the credential is frequently misrepresented. If a contractor claims it, verify it directly at gaf.com before signing. We're GAF Certified and register System Plus; we don't claim Master Elite, and we'll tell you that plainly.
What's your workmanship warranty, and who honors it? The manufacturer warranty covers the materials; the workmanship warranty covers the install. Ask how long it lasts and whether the company will actually be around to honor it — which loops back to the NJ track record.
Process, timeline, and price
Who pulls the permit? A full roof replacement requires a permit and a township final inspection in NJ. The contractor should pull it and coordinate the inspection — it should be itemized on the quote, not your problem to figure out.
Is the crew in-house or subcontracted, and who supervises? Either can be fine, but you should know, and there should be clear on-site supervision and accountability for the workmanship warranty.
How is payment structured? A reasonable deposit is normal; a large cash payment up front is a red flag. Reputable contractors don't need most of the money before the work is done, and they put the payment schedule in the written contract.
Is there any pressure to sign today? 'Today only' pricing is a closing tactic, not a real discount. A legitimate quote is good for long enough to compare it against others. Take 48 hours.
Storm and insurance questions (if a claim is involved)
Will you attend the adjuster meeting? An experienced contractor attends at no charge, documents the damage, and files supplements for code-required items adjusters routinely miss. That advocacy materially affects what the claim pays.
What's your position on 'Assignment of Benefits' and 'we'll pay your deductible'? A contractor offering to waive or absorb your deductible, or pushing an AOB before they've climbed the roof, is a hard stop — those are insurance-fraud and claim-control red flags. Read our AOB guide before signing anything that transfers your claim rights.
The 12 questions, in one list
Print this and ask all twelve before you sign:
- What's your NJHIC registration number?
- Can you email your certificate of insurance (GL + workers' comp) now?
- How long have you operated in NJ, and can I have local references?
- Tear-off or overlay? (Answer must be tear-off.)
- Exact shingle make, model, and color — and the full accessory system?
- What's the per-sheet decking-replacement allowance?
- Is all flashing being replaced?
- What manufacturer warranty and tier — and are you really Master Elite if you claim Golden Pledge?
- How long is the workmanship warranty, and who honors it?
- Who pulls the permit and coordinates the township inspection?
- What's the payment schedule? (No large upfront cash.)
- Will you attend the insurance adjuster meeting? (If a claim.)
Red flags — when to walk away
Door-to-door canvassing within days of a storm, especially with a 'free roof' or 'we'll cover your deductible' pitch. Out-of-state license plates and national-brand magnetic signs. No NJHIC number, or refusal to provide a certificate of insurance. A demand for a large cash deposit before any work. 'Today only' pressure. An Assignment of Benefits presented before anyone has even inspected the roof. No written contract with a clear scope. Any one of these is reason to stop; two or more and you should show them the door.