Shop around. Don’t hire the first roofer you stumble upon. Find several different contractors and do some preliminary research on them. Request bids from a few of them that will outline the work to be done, needed materials, and a written estimate and timeline for the project

Look beyond price. Though price is certainly a big factor, don’t base your decision on cost alone. Don’t automatically go with the lowest bid, especially if it’s suspiciously low. Going with the highest bid isn’t necessarily the best option either

Get recommendations from friends, family, and others in your community who’ve had roofing work done. A good reputation in your community is a roofer’s greatest qualification

Find out if a roofing contractor belongs to a roofing association of some kind. That’s a good sign that the contractor stays on top of the latest techniques and roofing materials in the industry and it’s a sign of professionalism

Make sure any prospective contractor is licensed and insured and that they’ll pull any required permits for the project

Be wary of roofers that offer quick fixes, make misleading statements, or resort to high-pressure sales tactics to bully you into hiring them

Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until all the particulars are in writing this protects you and the contractor and makes sure there are no surprises

Watch out for contractors who insist on cash only. Pay by check or card and don’t pay for the entire project up front