Hiring the wrong roofer is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. The work is hidden under shingles for 25 years; by the time problems show up, the contractor is often gone, out of business, or unwilling to honor a workmanship warranty.
Use this checklist before signing anything. We use the same standard on ourselves — North Coast Roofing holds California license #1101394, carries full general liability and workers' comp coverage, and pulls a permit on every job. Hold every bidder to the same bar.
Step 1: Verify the License
California requires a C-39 Roofing classification (or B General with the right experience) for any roofing job over $500. Look up the license at cslb.ca.gov — search by name or license number. The site shows status, classification, expiration, bond, and any open complaints.
- Status must be 'Active' — not 'Suspended' or 'Inactive.'
- Classification must include C-39.
- Bond must be current ($25,000 minimum as of 2026).
- No unresolved disciplinary actions.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage
Ask for two certificates of insurance — general liability (minimum $1M per occurrence) and workers' compensation. The COIs should be issued directly to you by the carrier, not handed over as a PDF the contractor printed. If a roofer can't produce both, walk away.
If a worker is hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers' comp, your homeowners policy gets the bill. That's how a $20,000 roof becomes a $200,000 lawsuit.
Step 3: Look for Manufacturer Certifications
Manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey) certify a small subset of installers in each market. Certification means the manufacturer has audited the contractor's work and stands behind it with extended warranties — typically 25–50 years on materials AND labor.
Without certification, even the best shingle has only the basic limited warranty, and labor for warranty repairs comes out of your pocket.
Step 4: Read the Written Warranty
Demand a written workmanship warranty separate from the manufacturer's material warranty. Look for:
- Length: anything under 5 years on workmanship is weak; 10+ is standard for a serious local contractor.
- Transferability: matters if you sell within the warranty period.
- What's covered: leaks, blow-offs, flashing failures — explicitly named.
- What voids it: roof traffic by other trades, satellite installs, etc.
Step 5: Check Real Local References
Ask for the addresses of three jobs completed within the past 12 months in your area — Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, wherever you live. Drive by them. A contractor who can't name three local jobs in your zip code has either been there a few weeks or is hiding something.
Online reviews matter, but Google reviews can be filtered or astroturfed. Real local addresses can't.
Step 6: Read the Contract Carefully
California law requires every home improvement contract over $500 to include:
- Contractor's full name, address, license number.
- Total contract price and a payment schedule (no more than 10% or $1,000 down, whichever is less, before work starts).
- A 3-day right to cancel notice.
- Mechanic's lien warning.
- Description of work, materials, and approximate start/completion dates.
If any of those are missing, the contract isn't legal. Don't sign.
Step 7: Confirm Permits
Re-roofs require a permit in every Sonoma County jurisdiction. The contractor pulls it, the building department inspects mid-job (after tear-off, before underlayment) and at completion. No permit means no inspection — and most manufacturer warranties require code-compliant installation, which means inspected installation.
Want to see how we measure up? Verify our license, ask for our COIs, drive by our recent local jobs. Then call (707) 232-8622 for a free written estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bids should I get?
Three is the sweet spot. One bid gives you no comparison; five wastes everyone's time and you'll start getting cookie-cutter quotes. Three bids from licensed local contractors will tell you whether the price is fair.
Why are bids so different?
Usually because they're not bidding the same job. One assumes 5 sheets of decking, one assumes none; one includes synthetic underlayment, one writes 'underlayment' without specifying. Ask each bidder to itemize and the differences become clear.
What's a fair down payment?
California law caps it at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, on home improvement contracts. Anyone asking for 30% or 50% upfront is either undercapitalized or planning to disappear with your money.
Should I use a storm-chasing contractor after a wind event?
Almost never. Out-of-town crews chase storms across counties and aren't around when the workmanship warranty needs honoring. Use a local roofer with a verifiable address in Sonoma County.
Get a Free Roof Estimate
Talk directly to Eddy. Call (707) 232-8622 or request a written estimate online — no pressure, no salespeople, just an honest assessment of your roof.
