Before hiring any roofing contractor in Terre Haute, ask these 10 questions: Are you licensed and registered in Indiana? Can I see your Certificate of Insurance? Do you use your own crews or subcontractors? What specific materials will you use? What does your warranty cover? Can you provide local references? Will you handle the building permit? What is your payment schedule? How long will the project take? And what happens if you find unexpected damage? Any reputable roofer will answer all ten without hesitation.
Hiring the wrong roofer is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. A bad installation can void manufacturer warranties, create leaks within a year, and leave you with no recourse if the contractor disappears. These ten questions separate professionals from pretenders.
Question 1: Are You Licensed and Registered to Do Business in Indiana?
Why it matters: Indiana does not have a statewide roofing license, but legitimate contractors must be registered with the Indiana Secretary of State and may need a Terre Haute or Vigo County business license. This registration is the minimum bar for legitimacy.
What to verify:
- Search INBiz.in.gov for the company name
- Confirm the registration is active (not expired or revoked)
- Check that the registered name matches the name on the proposal
Red flag: The contractor cannot provide a business registration number, uses a different company name than what is registered, or claims they do not need one.
Question 2: Can I See Your Certificate of Insurance?
Why it matters: If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you can be held liable. If an uninsured contractor damages your property, you have no recourse beyond a lawsuit.
What to verify:
- General liability insurance with at least $1 million per occurrence
- Workers' compensation coverage for all employees
- Call the insurance company listed on the COI to confirm the policy is active and has not lapsed
Red flag: The contractor claims to have insurance but cannot produce a current Certificate of Insurance on request. "It is at the office" is not an acceptable answer — COIs can be emailed in minutes.
Question 3: Do You Use Your Own Crews or Subcontractors?
Why it matters: Subcontracted crews introduce layers of risk. The contractor may not directly supervise the work. The subcontractor's insurance may not match what you were shown. Quality standards vary widely when crews change from job to job.
What to look for:
- W-2 employees who work exclusively for the company
- Training and background check policies
- A consistent crew that the company manages directly
At Elite Roofing, every crew member is a trained, background-checked employee — not a day laborer or subcontracted crew. This is a direct result of our military-style approach to quality control, and it is why our work is consistently reliable.
Question 4: What Specific Materials Will You Use?
Why it matters: "We will put a new roof on" is not a specification. You need to know exactly what you are paying for so you can compare quotes accurately and verify what actually gets installed.
What to ask for:
- Shingle brand, product line, and color (e.g., "GAF Timberline HDZ, Charcoal")
- Underlayment type and brand (synthetic vs. felt)
- Flashing material (aluminum, galvanized steel, copper)
- Ice and water shield specifications (in valleys, around penetrations, at eaves)
- Ventilation specifications (ridge vent type, soffit vent additions)
Red flag: The contractor specifies only the shingle brand but not the underlayment, flashing, or ice and water shield. These "invisible" components are where corners get cut most often.
Question 5: What Exactly Does Your Warranty Cover?
Why it matters: "We guarantee our work" means nothing without written details. There are two separate warranties, and you need to understand both.
Manufacturer warranty: Covers defects in the roofing material itself. Typically 25-50 years. Enhanced manufacturer warranties (covering both materials and labor) are only available through certified installers.
Workmanship warranty: Covers installation errors by the contractor. Duration varies wildly — from 1 year to lifetime. What matters is what is covered, what is excluded, and whether the contractor will still exist when you need to make a claim.
Questions to ask:
- How long is your workmanship warranty?
- Does it cover labor and materials or just materials?
- Is the warranty transferable if I sell the home?
- What specifically is excluded?
- Are you a certified installer for the manufacturer (enabling enhanced warranties)?
Red flag: Verbal warranty only, no written warranty terms, or a warranty that is shorter than 5 years on workmanship.
Question 6: Can You Provide References From Recent Terre Haute Projects?
Why it matters: References verify that the contractor does quality work in your specific area. National reviews from a company's other markets do not tell you about the crew working in Terre Haute.
What to ask for:
- Contact information for 3-5 homeowners in Vigo County or surrounding areas
- Projects completed within the past 12 months
- Permission to see finished work (drive-by at minimum)
What to ask references:
- Was the project completed on time and on budget?
- How was cleanup and debris removal?
- Were there any issues, and how were they handled?
- Would you hire them again?
Red flag: The contractor cannot provide any local references, only offers online reviews (which can be fabricated), or discourages you from contacting past customers.
Question 7: Will You Handle the Building Permit?
Why it matters: Vigo County requires building permits for roof replacements. Unpermitted work can create problems when selling your home, may void insurance coverage, and skips the code inspection that ensures the work meets structural and safety standards.
What to expect:
- A reputable contractor includes permit costs in their estimate
- They handle the application, scheduling, and final inspection
- The permit should be posted visibly at the job site
Red flag: "We do not usually pull permits for roofing jobs" or "Permits just slow things down and add cost." This suggests the contractor either does not know local codes or is deliberately avoiding inspection of their work.
Question 8: What Is Your Payment Schedule?
Why it matters: Payment structure is one of the clearest indicators of a contractor's legitimacy and financial stability.
Reasonable payment structures:
- No payment until work begins, then progress payments
- 10-15% materials deposit for special orders, balance upon completion
- Insurance claim work: payment upon insurance disbursement
Red flag payment structures:
- Full payment before any work starts
- Cash only (no check or card option)
- 50%+ deposit before materials are delivered
- Pressure to pay before you have seen the completed work
Question 9: How Long Will the Project Take?
Why it matters: You need to plan for noise, limited access to certain areas of your home, and potential weather delays. A clear timeline also creates accountability.
What to ask:
- When can you start? (Beware of "we can start tomorrow" — reputable contractors are typically booked 1-4 weeks out during peak season)
- How many days will the work take?
- What happens if weather causes delays?
- Will you complete my roof start-to-finish, or rotate between multiple jobs?
Typical timelines in Terre Haute:
- Simple roof replacement (1,500-2,000 sq ft): 1-2 days
- Complex roof or larger home: 2-4 days
- Metal roof installation: 3-5 days
Learn more about the process in our guide on what to expect during a roof replacement.
Question 10: What Happens If You Find Unexpected Damage?
Why it matters: Once the old shingles are removed, previously hidden damage to the decking, rafters, or fascia may be discovered. How the contractor handles this situation reveals their integrity.
What to expect from a reputable contractor:
- A written change order process outlined in the original contract
- Work stops on the affected area until you approve the additional scope and cost
- Photos of the discovered damage provided to you before proceeding
- The additional cost is fair and documented
- If insurance is involved, they help file a supplement
Red flag: "We will just handle whatever we find and adjust the final bill." This open-ended approach invites surprise charges with no documentation or approval.
The Bottom Line: Trust Your Instincts
If a contractor is evasive, impatient with your questions, or dismissive of your concerns, they are telling you everything you need to know about how they will treat you during the project.
Elite Roofing welcomes every one of these questions because we have clear, honest answers for all of them. Call (812) 234-7285 or request a free estimate online to experience the difference a veteran-owned, locally committed roofing company makes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always choose the lowest bid?
No. The lowest bid often means lower-quality materials, cut corners on underlayment and flashing, or a crew that rushes to finish quickly. Compare bids based on scope of work, material specifications, warranty terms, and crew qualifications. A bid that is 20-30% below the others usually indicates something is being left out.
How far in advance should I schedule a roof replacement?
During peak season (May-September), reputable Terre Haute contractors are typically booked 2-6 weeks out. Schedule your estimate early and lock in a date as soon as you decide. Off-season (October-March) offers shorter wait times but weather can be less predictable.
What happens if it rains during my roof replacement?
Professional crews monitor weather forecasts and plan accordingly. If rain is expected, they ensure any exposed areas are tarped before stopping work. Reputable contractors will not start tearing off shingles if a storm is forecast. Your home should never be left exposed overnight without proper temporary protection.
Do I need to be home during the roof replacement?
You do not need to be present the entire time, but plan to be available at the start (for a walkthrough), during the project (for any questions or change orders), and at the end (for a final inspection). Most homeowners stay inside during the work — it is noisy but safe.
Should I get a written contract for a roof replacement?
Absolutely, always. A written contract protects both you and the contractor. It should include detailed scope of work, specific materials, total cost, payment schedule, timeline, warranty terms, permit responsibility, and change order process. Never proceed with a verbal agreement only.
What certifications should a roofer have?
Look for manufacturer certifications (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster). These require training, insurance verification, and ongoing quality standards. Additional certifications like IICRC (restoration) and BBB accreditation indicate a higher level of professionalism and accountability.
Can Elite Roofing answer all 10 of these questions?
Yes, and we welcome every one. We are registered in Indiana, fully insured, use our own trained and background-checked crews, specify every material in writing, offer strong workmanship warranties, provide local references, handle all permits, use fair payment terms, give clear timelines, and have a written change order process. Call (812) 234-7285 to verify for yourself.