Choosing the roofer matters more than choosing the shingle — a great crew with a mid-range product beats a careless crew with a premium one, every time. But roofing is also one of the industries most plagued by fly-by-night operators, especially after storms. Here's how to protect yourself, from a company that competes for the same jobs.
The 8 questions to ask every roofer
- "Are you licensed and insured in New Jersey?" NJ requires home improvement contractors to be registered. Ask for the registration number and the certificate of insurance (liability + workers' comp) — then verify the registration on the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs website. A legitimate contractor hands these over happily.
- "Do you tear off or install over the old roof?" The right answer is tear-off to the decking. A layover hides rot, voids most warranties, and shortens the new roof's life. If they lead with layover to hit a price point, keep looking.
- "What exactly is included?" Ice & Water Shield at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, drip edge, flashing replacement, ridge ventilation, disposal, permits. A cheap quote usually becomes cheap by silently deleting these.
- "Who is actually on my roof?" Employees or subcontractors? Either can be fine — but ask who supervises, and whether the same company that sold you the job stands behind the labor.
- "What warranties do I get — in writing?" Two separate things: the manufacturer's material warranty (ours: Owens Corning, registered for you) and the contractor's workmanship warranty (ours: 20 years, on paper, with terms). "Don't worry, we'll take care of you" is not a warranty.
- "Are you certified by the manufacturer?" Certifications (like Owens Corning's installer programs) mean trained crews and access to enhanced warranty registrations — and manufacturers don't certify companies that generate claims.
- "Can I see recent local jobs and reviews?" Real addresses, real photos, real Google reviews with responses. A portfolio of stock photos is a costume.
- "What happens if you find rotted decking?" The honest answer: "We document it with photos, show you, and price the plywood per sheet before proceeding." The wrong answer: a vague shrug — that's where surprise bills are born.
The 5 red flags that mean walk away
- The door-knocker who "just happened to be in the area" after a storm and pressures you to sign today. Storm chasers follow weather across states, collect deposits, do fast work — and are unreachable when it leaks. Ask where they were headquartered two years ago.
- A quote thousands below everyone else's. Roofing materials cost roughly the same for everyone. A dramatically lower price means missing scope, missing insurance, or missing tear-off.
- Big cash deposit up front. NJ practice is a reasonable deposit with payments tied to progress — never most of the money before a shingle moves.
- "We'll cover your deductible." Illegal-adjacent insurance fraud in most forms, and a sign they'll cut the same corners on your roof that they cut with the law.
- Nothing in writing. No itemized estimate, no contract with dates, no written warranty. In NJ, home improvement contracts over $500 must be in writing — a pro knows this.
How we answer our own questions
Fair is fair: RESTORHIVE is a licensed & insured NJ contractor, Owens Corning certified, tear-off always, itemized written estimates, a 20-year written workmanship guarantee plus registered manufacturer coverage, and a 5.0★ Google rating from New Jersey homeowners — several of whom mention our crew by name. Our portfolio is real photos from real local addresses.
Request your free inspection or call (908) 279-0901. Bring us your other quotes — we'll walk you through them line by line, honestly.
From the Hive 🐝
RESTORHIVE Roofing & Restoration — New Jersey's roof replacement specialists. Free inspections with full photo reports, a 20-year workmanship guarantee, and a crew that treats your home like the hive. (908) 279-0901 · Get your free inspection →