Quick Answer
The right roofing contractor is licensed, insured, uses named-brand materials, pulls permits, and will put everything in writing. Ask the same questions of every bidder. If a contractor skips questions or pressures you to sign fast, walk away.
We are going to say something that might surprise you.
Homer Roofing is not the right fit for every job. We are not the cheapest option in Weber, Davis, or Salt Lake counties. We do not do every type of roofing project. And if you are in a situation where a different contractor is genuinely the better choice, we would rather tell you that upfront than win a job we should not have.
That is not a sales line. It is how we think about this business.
What we can do is give you the same framework we would give a family member trying to hire a roofer. Here is how to evaluate any contractor, including us, so you make a decision you will not regret.
Why Choosing the Wrong Roofer Is a Bigger Problem Than Most Homeowners Realize
A bad roof replacement is not like a bad haircut. You cannot just fix it in a few weeks.
A roofing job done wrong can fail quietly for months or years before you see the damage. By then, you may be dealing with rotted decking, mold in the attic, and interior water damage that dwarfs the original cost of the roof.
And in most cases, the contractor who did the work is either gone or not picking up the phone.
Getting this decision right matters. Here is how.
The 10 Questions to Ask Every Roofing Contractor
Ask all of these. Ask every bidder. Take notes. If a contractor gets defensive or vague, that is the answer.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Utah?
This is not optional. Utah requires roofing contractors to hold a valid contractor's license. Ask for the license number and verify it at the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) website.
Insurance matters too. General liability and workers' compensation protect you if something goes wrong on your property or a worker is injured on your roof. Ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts. Any reputable contractor will hand it over without hesitation.
2. What Products Are You Installing?
Vague answers here are a red flag. A good contractor will tell you the exact brand, product line, and specifications of every major component going on your roof.
For asphalt shingles, that means the manufacturer, product name, and warranty tier. At Homer Roofing, we install GAF products as a GAF Master Elite contractor. We will always tell you exactly what is going on your roof and why.
If a contractor says something like "quality shingles" or "standard architectural" without giving you a name, ask again. If they still cannot answer, that tells you something.
A note on brands: we install GAF products as our primary line, but we will install other manufacturer shingles upon request. If you have a specific product preference, just ask.
3. Who Will Actually Be on My Roof?
Some contractors use their own trained crews. Others subcontract every job to crews they may not have worked with before.
Subcontracting is not automatically bad. But you have a right to know who will be on your property, whether they are covered under the contractor's insurance, and whether the contractor will have a supervisor on site.
4. Will You Pull the Permit?
Most cities in Utah require a permit for a full roof replacement. This is not paperwork for its own sake. The permit process creates an inspection record that protects you if you ever sell the home or file an insurance claim.
A contractor who tells you a permit is not needed, or suggests skipping it to save money, is either uninformed or cutting corners. Either way, that cost falls on you later.
5. Does Your Quote Include a Full Tear-Off?
A layover install — putting new shingles on top of old ones — is cheaper upfront. It is also not recommended for most homes. It adds weight, traps moisture, and usually voids the manufacturer warranty on the new shingles.
Ask directly: does this quote include removing all existing shingles down to the decking? If not, ask why, and ask what it would cost to do a proper tear-off.
6. How Do You Handle Damaged Decking?
A contractor cannot always see the full condition of the decking until the old shingles come off. Any honest contractor will tell you this upfront.
Ask how decking damage is handled. Is it priced per sheet? Will they show you before they replace it? Will they document it in writing? A contractor who includes a blanket decking replacement estimate without seeing the roof is either padding the quote or guessing.
7. What Warranty Comes With the Work?
There are two separate warranties to understand. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the materials. The workmanship warranty covers the installation itself.
Not every contractor can offer the same warranty coverage on the same shingles. GAF Master Elite contractors, for example, can offer the GAF Golden Pledge warranty, which includes an extended workmanship coverage period that non-certified contractors cannot offer on the same products. Ask for both warranties in writing before you sign anything.
8. Can You Provide References From Recent Jobs?
A contractor with a solid local reputation should be able to name recent customers willing to talk. Online reviews are useful too. Look for volume and consistency, not just star ratings.
Homer Roofing has 302 reviews and a 4.9 star rating. We have been in business since 2003. We are happy to provide references for any job type you are considering. If a contractor cannot point to recent local work, that is worth noting.
9. What Is Your Timeline and How Do You Handle Delays?
Get an estimated start date and a realistic project timeline in writing. Ask what happens if materials are delayed, weather pushes the schedule, or the crew runs into unexpected conditions.
A contractor who cannot give you a clear answer on timeline or communication expectations during the job is telling you something about how they operate.
10. What Is Not Included in This Quote?
Every quote has exclusions. The question is whether they are spelled out or buried.
Ask specifically about: permit fees, decking replacement, flashing replacement, disposal, and any code-required upgrades. A quote that looks low may not include several of these items. A complete quote is more useful than a cheap one that grows after the job starts. For a full picture of what a replacement actually costs, see our Utah pricing guide.
Red Flags to Watch For
These are patterns we see after storms and in competitive bidding situations throughout Northern Utah. Take them seriously.
| Red Flag | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|
| Refuses to provide license number or insurance certificate | They may not have valid coverage. Do not proceed. |
| Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm | Storm chasers move in fast. They may be gone just as fast. |
| Pressures you to sign the same day | High-pressure tactics exist to prevent you from comparing bids. |
| Quote is 30 to 40 percent below everyone else | Something is being left out. Ask what. |
| Cannot name the specific products being installed | Low-grade materials or no plan in place yet. |
| Asks you to sign over insurance proceeds before work starts | Assignment of Benefits issues are common and problematic in Utah. |
| No physical address or office location | If something goes wrong, you need to be able to find them. |
Green Flags Worth Recognizing
Here is what a trustworthy contractor actually looks like in practice.
- Offers references without being asked
- Pulls permits as a standard part of every job
- Provides a written quote with specific product names
- Explains what is not included before you ask
- Does not pressure you to sign before you are ready
- Has a local presence and verifiable reviews
- Answers questions clearly without getting defensive
- Carries manufacturer certifications that back up their warranty claims
Where Homer Roofing Fits and Where We Might Not
We said at the start that we are not the right fit for every job. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Where We Do Well
- Full asphalt shingle roof replacements on residential homes in Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake counties
- Thorough on-site inspections — satellite measurements miss things like two layers of existing shingles, soft decking, and attic moisture issues. We get on the roof.
- Hail and wind damage claims where we can document, inspect, and support you through the process
- GAF product installations where extended warranty coverage matters to you
- Homeowners who want a written quote, clear communication, and a contractor they can call back
Where We May Not Be the Best Fit
- Jobs requiring tile roofing. We do not install tile.
- Certain highly specialized systems outside our standard service menu. Call us and we will tell you honestly if it is a fit.
- Projects where the absolute lowest bid is the only priority.
We are honest about this because we think it serves you better. If you call us and we are not the right fit, we will tell you.
A Note on Homer Roofing
Homer Roofing has been serving Northern Utah since 2003. We are a GAF Master Elite contractor, which puts us in the top tier of GAF-certified installers. We serve Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake counties from our office in Woods Cross, and we also serve parts of Southern Idaho.
We offer free inspections with no obligation. We will tell you what we see, give you a written quote with specific products, and let you make the decision that is right for your home.
If you want to compare our quote against others using the framework above, we think that is smart. We will stack up fine.
Key Takeaways
| What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Verify license and insurance before signing anything | Protects you if something goes wrong on your property |
| Get every quote in writing with specific product names | Lets you compare actual scope, not just price |
| Ask who will be on your roof and whether they are insured | Subcontracted crews may not be covered under the contractor's policy |
| Confirm permits will be pulled | Protects your home's sale value and insurance record |
| Ask what is not included | Low quotes often grow when exclusions surface mid-job |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a roofing contractor's license in Utah?
You can verify any Utah contractor's license at the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) website at dopl.utah.gov. Any licensed contractor should provide their number on request.
What is GAF Master Elite and why does it matter?
GAF Master Elite is a certification tier that fewer than 2 percent of roofing contractors earn. It requires maintaining proper licensing, insurance, and quality installations, and allows the contractor to offer the GAF Golden Pledge warranty.
Is the cheapest roofing quote usually the best deal?
No. A lower quote often reflects lower-quality materials, skipped steps, or less oversight. The best deal is the quote that represents the best value for the full scope of work, backed by a warranty.
Should I get more than one roofing quote?
Yes. Getting two to three quotes is a reasonable approach. Use the same list of questions for every contractor so you are comparing the same scope and standards.
What should I do if a contractor knocks on my door after a storm?
Slow down. Do not sign anything on the spot. Ask for their license number and insurance certificate, get a written quote, and compare it against other bids before committing.
What does it mean to sign over my insurance benefits to a contractor?
An Assignment of Benefits agreement transfers your right to collect insurance proceeds directly to the contractor. Stay in control of your own claim and be cautious of contractors who pressure you to sign before work begins.
How do I know if a roofing contractor will still be in business if I need warranty service?
Look for a local physical address, a verifiable history of reviews over multiple years, and manufacturer certifications like GAF Master Elite that require ongoing compliance with licensing, insurance, and training standards.
The Short Version
Choosing a roofing contractor in Utah comes down to five things: verified license and insurance, specific written quotes with named products, a clear scope of work that includes tear-off and permits, a workmanship warranty backed by a real company, and a contractor you can actually reach after the job is done. Ask the same questions of everyone. Take your time. The right contractor will welcome it.
If you want a free inspection and a written quote you can use to compare, schedule a free inspection online anytime. We serve Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake counties from our office in Woods Cross. We are happy to get on your roof and tell you exactly what we see.