Roof installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering roof installation

Roof installation is a larger job where the homeowner compares several bids, and the quote details matter more than the shingle name. Your win is a clear scope, a clear decking plan, and proof that you will handle the permit and cleanup.

What customers ask

  • Can you tear off the old roof, or do you have to cover it?
  • What happens if you find rotted decking?
  • What warranty do I get on the shingles, and what warranty do I get on the labor?
  • Will you pull the permit and handle the inspection?
  • How will you protect my landscaping, gutters and driveway during the tear-off?
  • Which roof color and style will look right on my home?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask about the roof's age, how many layers are on it, why they want to replace it, and any leaks, so the site visit answers those questions.
  • Walk the roof and the attic on the site visit, photographing the decking, ventilation and penetrations, and note anything you could not see.
  • Bring a sample of the underlayment and the roofing material, and show the drip edge and valley metal you will use.
  • Write the decking replacement as its own line with a stated price per sheet, so the homeowner approves extra cost before you cut.
  • Describe the ventilation plan in the quote with the ridge vent and soffit vent layout, not a vague mention of ventilation.
  • Send a photo log of the tear-off and the finished roof, and include it in the closeout packet.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished installs that show valleys, flashing, ventilation and cleanup, not only the finished roof from the street
  • Roofing brands and warranty tiers you install
  • Roof types and pitches you work on, including steep or multi-story roofs if you do them
  • Service area and whether you handle permits and inspections

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a gutter check or gutter guard install after the new roof is on, so runoff from the new roof is directed correctly.
  • Recommend an attic ventilation review at the next season change if the attic runs hot or damp.
  • Schedule a roof checkup about a year after completion to catch any lifting or flashing shifts early.

Licenses and permits

Roofing contractors are commonly licensed, and a permit is often needed for reroofing and any structural decking work. Check your state and local licensing and building office requirements before you bid.

Questions

Do I have to pull the permit myself?

Who pulls the permit depends on local rules. Check with the local building office and set the responsibility out in the contract, so the homeowner knows who is accountable for each step.

How should I handle a decking surprise?

Stop, photograph the affected boards, and send a priced change order before you replace them. Do not replace boards that look sound without approval.

Should I offer a warranty on my labor?

If you can stand behind the workmanship, yes. Write the terms into the contract so both sides know what is covered and for how long.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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