Choosing the right roofing contractor in South Carolina is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner. A qualified, trustworthy contractor ensures your roof is installed correctly, lasts as long as it should, and is backed by meaningful warranties. Use this 10-point checklist to evaluate roofing contractors and hire with confidence.
10 Things to Look for in a Roofing Contractor
- Valid South Carolina Contractor License: SC law requires contractors to be licensed for projects over $5,000. Ask for their license number and verify it through the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). A licensed contractor has demonstrated competency and financial responsibility.
- Proof of Insurance: Request a certificate of insurance showing both general liability insurance (minimum $1 million) and workers compensation coverage. Without workers comp, you could be liable if a worker is injured on your property. Call the insurance company to verify the policy is active.
- Local Presence and Reputation: Choose a contractor with a physical local address and an established presence in your community. Local contractors depend on their reputation and are more likely to stand behind their work. Check Google reviews, BBB ratings, and ask neighbors for recommendations. Read our customer testimonials.
- Detailed Written Estimates: A professional estimate should include a line-by-line breakdown of materials, labor, tear-off, disposal, permits, and any additional costs. Vague estimates with a single lump-sum price make it impossible to compare quotes accurately.
- Written Contract: Never proceed without a written contract that includes the scope of work, materials to be used, project timeline, payment schedule, warranty terms, and cleanup responsibilities. Both parties should sign before work begins.
- Manufacturer Certifications: Top roofing material manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed offer certification programs for contractors who meet their quality standards. Certified contractors can offer enhanced manufacturer warranties that non-certified contractors cannot.
- References and Portfolio: Ask for at least three references from recent projects similar to yours. A reputable contractor will happily provide references and may have a portfolio of completed work. Drive by a few completed projects to see the quality firsthand.
- Reasonable Payment Terms: A reputable contractor will never demand full payment upfront. Standard payment terms are a deposit of 10 to 30 percent at signing, with the balance due upon completion and your satisfaction. Some contractors accept financing.
- Permit Handling: Your contractor should pull all necessary building permits on your behalf and schedule required inspections. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself, it may mean they are not properly licensed. Learn more about SC roofing permits.
- Warranty Coverage: Ask about both the manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty. A quality contractor stands behind their installation with a workmanship warranty of at least 5 years. Check our warranty information for details on what we offer.
Red Flags to Avoid
Watch out for these warning signs when evaluating roofing contractors:
- Door-to-door solicitation after storms: Storm chasers often appear after severe weather, offering quick repairs at inflated prices. They may do poor work and disappear before warranty issues arise.
- Full payment required upfront: No reputable contractor requires 100 percent payment before starting work. This is the biggest red flag in the industry.
- No written contract: Verbal agreements leave you with no legal protection if something goes wrong.
- Pressure to sign immediately: High-pressure sales tactics like "this price is only good today" are designed to prevent you from comparing quotes.
- No local address: Out-of-town contractors with only a PO box or cell phone number may be difficult to reach if warranty issues arise.
- Unusually low bids: If one bid is significantly lower than others, the contractor may be cutting corners, using inferior materials, or not including necessary work in the scope.
- Offers to waive your insurance deductible: This is insurance fraud in South Carolina and can result in denial of your claim and legal consequences for both you and the contractor.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- How long have you been in business in South Carolina?
- Can I see your contractor license and insurance certificate?
- Will you pull the building permits for this project?
- What manufacturer certifications do you hold?
- What is included in your workmanship warranty?
- Who will be the project supervisor on-site during installation?
- How do you handle unexpected issues discovered during tear-off (rotted decking, etc.)?
- What is your payment schedule?
- Can you provide three recent local references?
- What is the expected project timeline from start to completion?
Why Homeowners Choose Dubya Roofing and Gutters
Dubya Roofing and Gutters checks every box on this list. We are a locally owned and operated company serving Orangeburg County and surrounding communities since 2020. We are fully licensed and insured in South Carolina, provide detailed written estimates and contracts, handle all permitting, and stand behind our work with a comprehensive workmanship warranty.
Learn more about our company or read what our customers say on our testimonials page.
Ready for your free estimate? Call (803) 855-1850 or request a quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
In South Carolina, roofing contractors must hold a valid residential or commercial contractor license issued by the SC Contractors Licensing Board for projects over $5,000. Ask to see the license and verify it online at the LLR website. A licensed contractor has passed competency exams and meets financial responsibility requirements.
Get at least three written estimates from different licensed contractors. This gives you a fair comparison of pricing, materials, and scope of work. Be cautious of bids that are significantly lower than the others, as that often indicates corners being cut on materials or labor.
No, the cheapest quote is often not the best value. A low bid may indicate the contractor is using inferior materials, cutting corners on labor, skipping permits, or is not properly insured. Compare the total value including materials, warranty, workmanship, and the contractor's reputation rather than just the price.
Red flags include demanding full payment upfront, no written contract or estimate, no proof of license or insurance, high-pressure sales tactics, an out-of-state address only, no local references, and asking you to pull the building permit yourself. Any of these should make you look elsewhere.
Yes, Dubya Roofing and Gutters provides a workmanship warranty on all projects in addition to the manufacturer's material warranty. Our workmanship warranty covers installation-related issues and demonstrates our confidence in the quality of our work. Visit our warranty page for details.