How to Hire a Roofing Contractor Roofing material ranges from standard asphalt shingles to more "upscale" materials like tile and slate. It's important to hire a contractor who specializes in your type of roof. Steps: 1. Decide what type of roofing you want. Are you looking for asphalt shingles or tile? Or is slate more your style? Your decision will depend largely on the style of your home and your budget. 2. Contact several roofing contractors. If you get at least three estimates, this will allow you to gauge High bid, mid-range and low. This will also allow you to meet with each company rep and ask questions. 3. Have the contractors come out and quote prices on the project. Provide access to the property and make sure all the contractors are bidding on the same type of roofing (such as a specific grade of asphalt shingles). 4. Make sure the roofers are including the removal of old roofing in their bids. (Note that it's not always necessary to remove the existing roof when installing a new one.) 5. Find out if each roofer has experience with the type of roofing you're installing. Most roofers have asphalt-shingle experience, but tile and slate roofing are specialties. If you're installing an expensive tile or slate roof, you'll want a contractor who has experience in this area. 6. Ask for references and check them out. Are the previous customers happy with the work that was done for them? 7. Execute a contract for the work specifying cost, payment schedule, material to be used, start date and completion date. If a contractor asks for money up front, this is a good indication that he doesn't have credit with his suppliers. Be leary of making payments before the project is completed. 8. Ask the contractor for proof of Workers' Comp Insurance. Also check to see if their contractors liecense is valid, unrestricted, and without complaints. ( http://www.cslb.ca.gov ) Tips: Roofing is typically measured and sold by the "square". A square of roofing covers 100 square feet of surface area. Labor costs are also generally priced by the square. Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material and are available in many grades, with warranties of up to 50 years. Tile cost two to three times as much as asphalt. Slate roofing is by far the most expensive and most durable. Most 'slate' roofs are now made of a manufactured material, but real slate is still used at the top end of the market. Roofing is outside work, and your project may be subject to weather-related delays.