Hire the wrong roofer and you may not find out until the inspector flags unpermitted work during your home sale, or until a leak shows up in year two and nobody answers the phone. The right questions, asked before you sign anything, are the difference between a roof that performs for 30 years and a job that unravels the moment something goes sideways.
Before hiring a roofing contractor, look up their CSLB license number at cslb.ca.gov, ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you as additional insured, and confirm they will pull the permit, not ask you to. California law caps contractor deposits at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. The certification tier of your installer determines which warranty tier you receive: a GAF Certified Applicator can offer an enhanced manufacturer warranty on workmanship; an uncertified roofer cannot, no matter how many years they have been in business.
The 12 questions below are organized in the order you should ask them when choosing your roofing contractor. Work through them before anyone sets foot on your property.
What Can Go Wrong If You Skip This Step
An unlicensed contractor gets injured on your roof. Their workers comp coverage either does not exist or does not cover the job. Your homeowner’s insurance picks up the tab. It happens.
A contractor proposes an overlay rather than a full tear-off. You agree because it is a few thousand dollars cheaper. Two years later you find out the roof already had two layers. The enhanced manufacturer warranty was voided before the first shingle went down.
A re-roof gets done without a permit. Years later, during escrow, the inspector finds it. The transaction stalls. You are the one with the problem.
These are not edge cases. They happen in the Bay Area every year.
Start Here: Verify the License and Insurance Before the First Meeting
Do this research on your own before you call anyone.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Verify Any CA License in Under 30 Seconds
Go to cslb.ca.gov, enter the license number, and confirm the status reads “Active.” Check the license classification, bond status, workers comp status, and any disciplinary history while you are there. Pacific Coast Roofing’s license is #1002352 (C-39). Look it up before you call anyone.
Go to cslb.ca.gov and search by contractor name or license number. The record must show “Active.” Look at the license classification: the C-39 specialty roofing license in California covers the installation, repair, and waterproofing of residential roofing systems. A general building (B) license can serve as the prime contractor on a roofing job, but a B-licensed contractor doing the physical roof work themselves, rather than subcontracting to a C-39 holder, is operating outside their classification. Check the bond and workers comp status. Check for any complaints or disciplinary history. The CSLB lookup takes about two minutes and tells you a lot.
Pacific Coast Roofing’s CSLB license number is 1002352, C-39 classification. Look it up. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and it is the standard you should hold every contractor to.
When a contractor hands you a Certificate of Insurance (COI), do not stop there. Call the insurer listed on the certificate, give them the policy number, and ask if the policy is active and what it covers. Workers comp class code 5552 covers roofing work. General liability should be substantial for any residential re-roof project. The NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) recommends confirming that both workers comp and liability certificates are active through the full duration of the job, not just at the time you receive the document.
Any contractor worth hiring will hand over proof of insurance without complaint. Hesitation is an answer.
Questions to Ask About the Actual Work
When hiring a roofing contractor, get these answered before scope discussions begin.
Q1: Will you do a full tear-off, or are you proposing an overlay?
An overlay installs new shingles over the existing layer. A tear-off removes all old material completely, exposes the decking for inspection, and starts fresh. California allows a maximum of two roofing layers. If your home already has two layers, an overlay is not a legal option regardless of what anyone tells you.
In WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) fire zones, which cover significant portions of the PCR service area including Orinda, Lafayette, Danville, the Oakland Hills, Kensington, and El Sobrante hills, a full tear-off is required to meet Class A fire-rated assembly requirements under California’s updated Title 24 building code. Overlays also void enhanced manufacturer warranties from GAF and CertainTeed. New underlayment and inspected decking are prerequisites for any GAF System Plus or Golden Pledge warranty.
What a good answer sounds like: A confident contractor tells you specifically which approach they are recommending and why, based on the current layer count, the condition of the deck, and your warranty goals. If they have not inspected the roof before answering this question, that is a problem.
Q2: Will you pull the permit, or will I be expected to?
The licensed contractor pulls the permit. Not you. A homeowner who pulls their own permit becomes the contractor of record and takes on full legal liability for the work. Some contractors ask homeowners to do this to avoid the scrutiny that comes with permit history. On a full re-roof in Contra Costa, Alameda, or Solano County, a permit is required. No exceptions. “We don’t need a permit for this” is either wrong or deliberately evasive. Permits trigger a building inspection that verifies deck condition, underlayment, flashing at penetrations, ventilation ratios, and in WUI zones, the fire-rating of the complete assembly.
What a good answer sounds like: “We pull the permit. It’s required for re-roofs in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano counties, and our permit history is part of our license record.”
Q3: Who actually does the work: your own employees or subcontractors?
Subcontractors are not automatically a red flag, but the question matters. If the general contractor’s workers compensation policy does not extend to uninsured subcontractors, there is a coverage gap that lands on you. Ask whether the subs carry their own workers comp, and ask to see that documentation. CSLB license records show workers comp status in real time; you can cross-reference what the contractor tells you.
What a good answer sounds like: A direct answer with a clear explanation of how their insurance covers every worker on the job. Press any contractor who is vague about who shows up on your roof.
Q4: Are you GAF Certified or CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster?
Certification tier determines warranty tier. This is one of the roofing contractor questions most homeowners never think to ask, and it costs them.
ℹ️ Why GAF Certification Actually Matters
GAF Master Elite status requires a financial stability review, a 99% local customer satisfaction rating, and annual recertification testing. Only the top 2% of roofing contractors nationally hold it. The tier is not just a marketing badge: it determines which warranty the installer can legally offer you, including whether workmanship is covered at all.
A GAF Certified Applicator can offer the System Plus warranty: lifetime material coverage plus 10-year workmanship protection on qualifying installations, backed by GAF. GAF Master Elite contractors, the top 2% of roofing contractors nationally, must complete a financial review, maintain a 99% local customer satisfaction rating, and pass annual recertification testing. Master Elite contractors can offer the Golden Pledge warranty, with 20 to 30 years of workmanship coverage backed directly by GAF. CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster status qualifies the installer to offer SureStart PLUS 5-Star Coverage, with 25-year workmanship coverage backed by CertainTeed. None of those enhanced warranties are available through an uncertified installer. Verify certifications directly at gaf.com or certainteed.com rather than taking the contractor’s word.
What a good answer sounds like: The contractor names their specific certification tier and knows exactly which warranty that tier qualifies them to offer. Vagueness about the tier means they probably do not have it.
Q5: What does your cleanup and haul-away process look like?
HOA-heavy areas like Danville, Blackhawk, San Ramon, and Alamo often have restrictions on dumpster placement and cleanup timelines. Roofing debris is hazardous, and nails in driveways and landscaping are a consistent source of complaints on jobs that otherwise went fine. Ask specifically how long a dumpster will be on-site, whether the work area is cleaned up at the end of each day, and how they handle nail removal from driveways and landscaping.
What a good answer sounds like: Specific and process-oriented. A contractor who describes their daily cleanup routine in concrete terms has done this before. “We’ll clean up when we’re done” is not a complete answer.
Q6: What happens if you find damaged decking once the old roof is removed?
Deck rot and damaged framing are common mid-job findings. Knowing the contractor’s process for handling damaged decking, and the pre-agreed pricing structure, protects you before the old material is already off.
What a good answer sounds like: They name a standard rate for additional decking work, disclosed in the written estimate, typically priced per sheet of plywood or per linear foot of damaged framing. “We’ll call you if we find anything” without a pre-agreed price structure is not a complete answer.
Questions to Ask About Warranties and Credentials
Q7: What warranty covers the installation, not just the shingles?
Two warranties matter, and most homeowners only know about one. The material warranty from GAF or CertainTeed covers defects in the shingles themselves, from 30-year standard to lifetime limited on premium lines. The workmanship warranty from the contractor covers installation errors: wrong fastener pattern, improperly set flashing, inadequate underlap, and similar defects.
The majority of early roof failures are workmanship failures, not material defects. An enhanced manufacturer warranty from GAF or CertainTeed covers both, but only when a certified contractor installs the complete manufacturer system. Shingles, underlayment, ridge cap, and ventilation must all come from the same brand system. Mixing brands voids the enhanced warranty.
A GAF Golden Pledge warranty or CertainTeed SureStart PLUS 5-Star Coverage is transferable, once, within a defined window of a home sale, with a transfer fee and registration. For sellers: a registered enhanced warranty is a documented asset at closing.
What a good answer sounds like: The contractor explains both warranties separately, names the duration of their workmanship coverage, and can describe exactly what certification tier they hold and what enhanced warranty that tier qualifies them to offer.
Q8: Can you show me where to verify your certification on the manufacturer’s website?
GAF certifications are searchable at gaf.com (Find a Contractor). CertainTeed certifications are searchable at certainteed.com (Find a Pro). A contractor who welcomes independent verification is confident in their standing. A contractor who is unclear about whether they appear in those directories may not be current.
What a good answer sounds like: They give you the URL and tell you the exact business name as it appears in the manufacturer’s directory. No hesitation.
Questions to Ask About Money and the Contract
These roofing contractor questions protect you legally before a single shingle is touched.
⚠️ California Law Caps Your Deposit at $1,000
Under CA Business and Professions Code Section 7159, a contractor cannot legally collect more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price (whichever is less) before work begins on a residential project. A $5,000 deposit on a $20,000 re-roof is a violation of state law, not an industry norm.
Q9: What does your payment schedule look like, and how much is the deposit?
California Business and Professions Code Section 7159 (CA B&P §7159) caps contractor deposits on residential projects at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. A contractor asking for $5,000 upfront on a $20,000 job is violating state law. Legitimate payment schedules are progress-based: a small deposit, a payment when materials arrive, and a final balance upon completion.
Under California Civil Code 1689.6, homeowners have a 3-day right to cancel a signed home improvement contract in writing (5 days for homeowners aged 65 and older). A contractor who pressures you to decide today is compressing that cancellation window on purpose.
Ask about mechanic’s lien protection too. When you make a final payment, request a conditional final lien release from the contractor and unconditional releases from any subs or material suppliers who sent 20-day preliminary notices. A paid-in-full homeowner can still end up with a mechanic’s lien on their property title if an unpaid subcontractor or supplier files one. The preliminary notice from a sub is not a lien itself but it preserves their right to file one. Get the releases.
What a good answer sounds like: They explain a progress-based payment schedule and know the $1,000 deposit cap without being prompted. A contractor who pushes back on this question is a red flag.
Q10: Will I receive a written contract with materials listed by brand, product line, color, and quantity?
CA B&P §7159 requires a written contract for any home improvement project over $500. The contract must include the contractor’s name, address, and license number; start and estimated completion dates; a description of work and materials; the payment schedule; and the total price.
A contract that says “roof replacement, GAF shingles, $18,500” is not compliant, and it makes material substitution easy on install day. An itemized estimate names the shingle product line (for example, GAF Timberline HDZ vs. GAF Timberline CS), the underlayment brand and type, the ridge cap product, and the square footage or quantity for each item. That level of detail lets you compare two quotes on equal terms.
What a good answer sounds like: They can show you an example estimate with specific product lines and quantities. “We’ll specify everything in writing before we start” is the right answer.
California-Specific Questions Worth Asking
Q11: Does my home fall in a WUI fire zone, and does your proposed system meet Class A assembly requirements?
Class A fire-rated assembly goes beyond choosing the right shingles. Under California’s 2025 WUI code (Title 24, Part 7, effective January 1, 2026), homes in designated Cal Fire fire hazard severity zones require a complete fire-rated system: shingles, underlayment, eave blocking, and attic vents with the correct mesh size (1/16” to 1/8” openings). A contractor who does not know whether their proposed system qualifies for your specific address is not current on California code.
If your home is in an HOA-governed neighborhood in Danville, Blackhawk, or Alamo, board approval may also be required before the permit is pulled. Under California’s Davis-Stirling Act, HOAs have authority over exterior appearance, and some require advance approval on roofing material and color.
What a good answer sounds like: They know the WUI status of the property or look it up and can confirm the proposed system qualifies. A contractor who has never heard of WUI requirements in the Oakland Hills or the Contra Costa foothills is not who you want on your roof.
Q12: Can you replace a roof in the Bay Area’s rainy season, and how do you handle rain mid-job?
Most homeowners assume roofing stops in winter. It does not have to. An experienced contractor has a rain protocol. They stage the work in dry windows, keep the deck covered at the end of each day, and know the Bay Area microclimate well enough to plan around it. This matters if you are scheduling work between October and April.
What a good answer sounds like: “We’ve been doing this in the Bay Area since 1996. We watch the forecast, stage the install in dry windows, and nothing gets left exposed overnight.” A contractor who hedges on this question probably has not done it much.
Red Flags That Should End the Conversation
- Deposit demand over $1,000 before work begins. CA B&P §7159 caps it. A contractor who does not know this or ignores it is either uninformed or looking to take advantage.
- No local physical business address. A PO box or out-of-state address is a significant red flag. Contractors who follow weather events and collect deposits have no reason to leave a local trail.
- “We don’t need a permit for this.” On a full re-roof in Contra Costa, Alameda, or Solano County, a permit is required. No exceptions.
- Cash only or payment to an individual’s name, not a business name.
- Pressure to sign the same day. Your right to cancel runs 3 business days from signature. A contractor who rushes that window is working against you.
- Offering to waive your insurance deductible. This is insurance fraud in California.
- Asking you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form. This transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor. Do not sign one without independent legal review.
- Out-of-state license plates on work trucks. Combined with any of the above, this pattern is consistently associated with contractors who vanish after the deposit clears.
⚠️ Storm Chaser Warning Signs
Out-of-state plates, a PO box instead of a local address, a deposit demand over $1,000, and pressure to sign the same day are the four markers that consistently show up together. Any one of them warrants a harder look. All four together means walk away.
How Pacific Coast Roofing Answers These Questions
CSLB license number 1002352. Active, C-39 classification. Look it up at cslb.ca.gov.
🎯 Hear What a Real Contractor Sounds Like
Every question in this list has a right answer. Call us and ask them. We will answer without hesitation, give you a written scope before anything is signed, and put our license number on every document.
Pacific Coast Roofing is GAF Certified and also installs CertainTeed. Verify the certification at gaf.com using the Find a Contractor tool. The certification is current, not historical.
We use our own employees, not subcontractors. Every person on your roof is covered by our workers comp policy.
We pull the permit on every job. That is not optional, and we do not ask homeowners to do it themselves.
We have been replacing roofs in the Bay Area since 1996. Three counties, 33 cities, 30 years of permit history. If you are in Walnut Creek, Oakland, or Fairfield, we know your local building department.
We replace roofs 12 months a year, including rainy season. Bay Area winters are workable with the right planning, and we have been planning around them since before most of the contractors on Google were in business.
Quality roofers refuse to repair any roof that requires replacement so they can stand by their workmanship and preserve their reputation. That is the standard we hold ourselves to. If your roof needs replacement, we will tell you that, and we will tell you why.
Learn more about our roof replacement process or who we are. When you are ready to talk, call (510) 912-5454. We offer free on-site estimates and a written scope before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a roofer is legitimate?
A legitimate roofer holds an active CSLB license with a C-39 specialty classification, carries workers compensation and general liability insurance, and pulls permits on every job. They provide a written, itemized estimate before work begins and can tell you exactly what certification tier they hold and what warranty that qualifies them to offer. They answer questions without irritation. The ones who resist verification are the ones to avoid.
What should I not tell a roofing contractor?
Do not tell a contractor your maximum budget. Give them the scope of work and ask for a full itemized quote. Revealing a price ceiling can cause bids to rise to meet it. Also: do not agree to let a contractor skip the permit to save money or time. That liability transfers to you as the homeowner, and an unpermitted re-roof can create a title defect that surfaces when you sell.
Is $30,000 too much for a roof in the Bay Area?
Not necessarily. Bay Area roof replacement costs typically range from $18,000 to $40,000 or more depending on roof size, pitch, material tier, and permit fees. The only reliable way to evaluate a quote is to get multiple itemized estimates that specify the same materials, scope, and warranty tier. A quote several thousand dollars lower than two others often uses a lower-grade shingle line or omits a full tear-off.
What is the California down payment cap for roofing contractors?
California Business and Professions Code Section 7159 caps deposits on residential home improvement contracts at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. A contractor requesting more than $1,000 upfront on a standard residential re-roof is in violation of state law. Progress-based payments tied to material delivery and project milestones are the correct structure.
What questions should I ask roofers for references?
Ask references whether the project came in at the quoted price, whether the contractor cleaned up at the end of each day, and whether the permit and inspection process was handled without homeowner involvement. Ask if any issues came up mid-project and how the contractor handled them. Ask specifically if they would hire the same contractor again, and why.
Related guides
- What should be in a complete roofing quote: the line items every Bay Area quote should include.
- The four biggest pricing factors in roofing: what actually moves the price up or down.
