How to Choose a Roofing Contractor: A Checklist
To choose a roofing contractor, verify they are licensed and insured in your state, hold a manufacturer certification, carry strong local reviews, and put everything in a written estimate. Prioritize local crews who know your region's weather, and avoid anyone who pressures you or refuses to show proof of credentials.
Published July 25, 2022 · by T-10 Construction
Choosing a roofing contractor comes down to proof: a licensed and insured company, a manufacturer certification, verifiable local reviews, and a clear written estimate. Get those four things confirmed before you sign anything, and you have screened out most of the storm-chasers and fly-by-night crews that flood Minnesota neighborhoods after a hailstorm.
How do I verify a roofing contractor is licensed and insured?
Ask for the contractor's license number and proof of insurance in writing, then confirm both yourself. In Minnesota, residential roofers need a state Residential Building Contractor license through the Department of Labor and Industry, and you can look up any license number online in a couple of minutes to confirm it is active. A legitimate company will hand over its number without hesitation.
- Confirm a current state license for the state where the work is done (for example, T-10 holds Minnesota license BC736607).
- Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance AND workers' compensation coverage, and check that both are current.
- If a contractor dodges these questions or says they will 'get it later,' walk away — hiring an uninsured roofer can leave you on the hook for injuries or property damage.
Why hire a local roofing contractor?
A local contractor knows the building codes, permit process, and weather your roof actually faces. In the Twin Cities north metro, that means designing for ice dams, spring hail, and straight-line winds — not the generic spec a national door-knocker uses everywhere. Local crews are also easier to hold accountable: they answer warranty calls instead of leaving the state once the storm season ends.
T-10 Construction is family-owned and based in Oak Grove, serving Anoka County communities like Ramsey, Andover, Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, Zimmerman, Big Lake, and Elk River. You can read more about our team and history if you want to know who you would be working with.
What manufacturer certifications should a roofer have?
Manufacturer certifications matter because they signal real training and unlock stronger warranty coverage. Shingle makers only certify contractors who meet installation and reliability standards, and they let those contractors register enhanced warranties most handymen cannot offer. If a roofer cannot name a single certification, that is a yellow flag.
- Ask which manufacturers certify them and what warranty that certification unlocks.
- Make sure the crew installing your roof — not just the salesperson — follows the manufacturer's spec.
- T-10 is an Atlas PRO+ Platinum Select certified contractor, so homeowners can get manufacturer-backed warranty coverage on the work.
How do I check a roofing contractor's reputation and reviews?
Read reviews across more than one platform and look for patterns instead of single ratings. Google and the Better Business Bureau are good starting points, and so is a contractor's own project history. Pay attention to how a company responds to complaints — that tells you more than a perfect score ever will.
- Check Google reviews and the company's BBB rating and complaint history.
- Look for consistent comments about cleanup, communication, and meeting timelines.
- Ask neighbors who recently re-roofed — word of mouth in a place like Oak Grove or Ramsey is hard to fake.
For reference, T-10 holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and you can browse what our customers say to see the kinds of projects we handle and how we follow through on them.
What should be in a roofing estimate before I sign?
A trustworthy estimate is specific and in writing. It should name the shingle brand and line, spell out the scope (tear-off, underlayment, ventilation, flashing), list cleanup, and state the warranty terms. Vague one-line quotes and high-pressure 'sign today' tactics are the most common warning signs of a bad contractor — a good one gives you time to think.
Storm and insurance work deserves extra care. A reputable roofer documents hail and wind damage thoroughly and can walk you through a claim without inflating it. T-10 offers free inspections and full insurance-claim support, and you can learn how we approach a tear-off and rebuild on our residential roofing page.
Want a straightforward second opinion before you commit? T-10 Construction offers free, no-pressure roof inspections across the north metro and beyond. Call us at (612) 567-5650 and we will tell you honestly what your roof needs — and what it doesn't.