A roof is only as good as the crew that installs it. The same shingles, installed by two different contractors, can yield a 25-year roof or a 6-year headache. Here's how to tell which one you're hiring — before the deposit clears.
One local crew from first inspection to final walkthrough.
Section 01
The 10-point vetting checklist
1. A physical local address you can visit. Not a P.O. box, not "we serve your area." An office. When your warranty needs honoring in year eight, this is what matters.
2. Tennessee licensing and real insurance. Ask for the license number and current certificates for both liability and workers' comp. Uninsured crews put you on the hook for injuries on your property.
3. Manufacturer certification — and understand the tiers. GAF Master Elite (top ~2–3% of contractors) or equivalent top-tier certification means factory training, vetting, and eligibility for warranties that outlive the contractor. What President's Club means.
4. Local reviews with history. Not just the star average — read how the company handles the occasional problem job. Everyone gets one; character shows in the response.
5. A detailed, itemized scope. "Tear off and replace roof — $14,500" is not a scope. You want components listed: underlayment type, ice-and-water locations, ventilation plan, flashing approach, decking terms.
6. The warranty, in writing, with the backer named. Who stands behind workmanship — the contractor alone, or the manufacturer? For how long? Registered where?
7. Job-site practices. Ask how they protect landscaping, whether they run magnetic sweeps, who supervises, and whether the crew is theirs or brokered out.
8. Payment structure that respects you. Reasonable deposit, balance on completion. Full payment up front is a hard no.
9. Straight answers on repair vs. replace. A contractor who never says "your roof has years left" is a salesman with a ladder.
10. Communication before the contract. However responsive they are while courting your signature is the best it will ever be.
Section 02
Red flags that should end the conversation
- "We'll take care of your deductible." Insurance fraud, offered casually. Walk away.
- Door-knocking right after a storm with today-only urgency. Quality contractors are busy after storms; they don't need pressure tactics.
- Out-of-state plates, no local address. The warranty leaves when they do.
- Demanding you sign an assignment of benefits before any inspection report exists.
- Cash discounts for skipping the permit. Permits protect you; skipping them serves someone else.
Section 03
Why we publish this
Every point on this list is one we're happy to be measured against — office in Portland, license on request, President's Club certification, itemized scopes, GAF-backed warranties. Vetting contractors properly doesn't hurt good ones; it protects you from the rest. Run the checklist on everyone, including us.
Want to start with the inspection? It's free and documented — whatever contractor you ultimately choose.
