Ask for the license number and exact name
Start with a simple request: the contractor's license number and the business name exactly as it is printed on the license. Names that are close but not identical, such as a trade name that does not match the licensed entity, are worth questioning. The license should be in the name of the company or person who will sign your contract. Write the number and name down, and make sure the same name appears on the contract, the estimate and the insurance paperwork.
If a contractor gives you only a phone number and a first name, that is not enough to verify. A legitimate business should be able to give you its legal name, address, license number and insurance details without hesitation. Search the name on the official government sites yourself instead of relying on a screenshot or a photo of a card shown on a phone.
- License number in writing
- Business name as printed on the license
- Same name on contract and insurance
- Number shown on vehicles and ads, where required
New York City licensing
In New York City, home improvement contractors are generally licensed through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Roofing work on residential property is commonly covered by that requirement, though rules and exemptions can change. The agency maintains ways to look up a license, check its status and see whether complaints are on record. Check the current search tools and requirements on the official agency site, and call the agency if the result is unclear.
- Look up the license by name or number
- Check that the status is active
- Confirm the license type fits residential work
- Ask the agency if anything seems off
Nassau and Westchester
Outside the city, home improvement licensing is generally handled at the county level. Nassau County licenses home improvement contractors through its consumer affairs office, and Westchester County does so through its consumer protection department. Requirements for towns and villages can add to this, and which one applies depends on where the work is done. Verify on the official county sites, and ask the contractor which licenses they hold for your property location.
- Ask which county license applies
- Check the license on the county site
- Ask about local town or village requirements
- Keep a copy of the license with your records
Insurance certificates
A license does not prove insurance. Ask for a certificate showing general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and ask that it be sent directly from the insurer or broker, not handed over as a copy. Check the policy dates and the named insured, and ask to be listed as a certificate holder if you want to. Co-ops, condos and many landlords require certificates anyway. If anyone resists providing one, treat that as a warning.
Ask what happens if a worker is injured on your property. Workers' compensation coverage is what protects you in that situation, and a contractor who uses subcontractors should be able to explain how those workers are covered. Keep the certificate in your file with the contract. If your policy period passes before the job finishes, ask for an updated certificate. Verifying coverage before the work begins is far easier than sorting it out after an accident.
- Certificate sent by insurer or broker
- General liability and workers' compensation
- Policy dates still active
- Named insured matches the contractor
Other checks before you sign
Get the estimate, scope and warranty in writing, and read the cancellation terms. Be careful with large up-front payments and with anyone who pressures you after a storm. Ask who will be on your roof and who is responsible for permits. Licensing and insurance are the starting point, not a guarantee of quality, so also compare written scopes and ask for local references. Verify everything you are told on the official sites before work starts.