Your roof is one of the most expensive components of your home. Choosing the wrong contractor to replace it is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. Unfortunately, the roofing industry attracts its share of storm chasers, fly-by-night operations, and low-bid contractors who cut corners in ways you won’t see until years later.
The good news is that a few simple questions — asked before you sign anything — will tell you almost everything you need to know about a contractor. Here are the 10 questions we recommend every Northern Michigan homeowner ask.
1. Are You Licensed to Do This Work in Michigan?
Michigan requires residential roofing contractors to hold a Residential Builder or Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license. Ask for the license number and verify it at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) website. Shane David Roofing’s license number is #262400053 — we’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured.
2. Do You Carry Liability Insurance and Workers’ Compensation?
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn’t carry workers’ compensation, you could be held liable. If something goes wrong with the job and they don’t carry liability insurance, you have limited recourse. Always ask for proof of both, and verify the policy is current.
3. Are You Local?
After a major storm, out-of-state contractors flood Northern Michigan looking for quick jobs. They take a deposit, do rushed work, and are gone before you discover the problems. A local company has a reputation to protect in the community. We’ve been serving Cheboygan, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, Gaylord, Alpena, Rogers City, Mackinaw City, and surrounding areas — and we’re here for the long term.
4. What Do Your Google Reviews Say?
Google Reviews are one of the most reliable indicators of how a contractor actually performs — not just what they promise. Look at the overall rating, but more importantly, read the actual reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to any negative feedback. A contractor with hundreds of reviews and a consistently high rating has earned that reputation over real jobs. Shane David Roofing carries a 4.9-star Google rating — you can read our reviews directly on Google Maps.
5. Will You Pull the Required Permits?
In most Michigan municipalities, a roofing permit is required for a full replacement. A contractor who suggests skipping permits is cutting corners and putting you at legal and financial risk — particularly when you sell the home and inspectors discover unpermitted work. We pull all required permits on every job.
6. What Exactly Is Included in the Quote?
A complete roofing quote should specify the materials (brand and grade of shingles, type of underlayment), full tear-off and disposal of existing materials, drip edge, new flashing, ridge cap, and cleanup. If a quote is vague or missing line items, ask for clarification. A low number that doesn’t include flashing or disposal isn’t actually a good price.
7. Do You Offer a Workmanship Warranty?
Manufacturer warranties cover material defects. Workmanship warranties cover installation errors — which are far more common. Ask how long the contractor stands behind their work and what the warranty covers. We back every installation with a workmanship warranty, and we’re a phone call away if something ever needs attention.
8. What Are Your Payment Terms?
A legitimate contractor will typically require a modest deposit to secure materials, with the remainder due upon completion. Be very cautious of any contractor who asks for full payment — or even 50% or more — before work begins. That’s one of the clearest red flags in the industry.
9. How Do You Handle Unexpected Decking Damage?
Old decking damage is common once old shingles are removed — it doesn’t mean the contractor is trying to upsell you. But how they handle it matters. The right answer is: we’ll show you the damage, discuss the repair cost, and get your approval before we touch it. We never proceed with additional work without a homeowner’s sign-off.
10. Who Actually Does the Work?
Some contractors sell jobs and subcontract all of the labor. That’s not automatically a problem, but you should know. Ask if the crew that shows up is employed directly by the company. Shane David Roofing uses our own trained team on every job — the crew you see on our website and in our photos is the crew on your roof.
What Northern Michigan Homeowners Are Saying
| Google Review “Best roofing company in Northern Michigan. Shane personally came out for the inspection and gave us an honest assessment. Fair pricing and outstanding workmanship.” — Chuck F., via Google Reviews |
Related reading: How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost in Northern Michigan? | What to Expect During a Roof Replacement
| Ready to Get Started? We welcome every one of these questions. shanedavidroofing.com/contact Call or Text: 231-597-6556 | shanedavidroofing.com/contact Free estimates · 24-hour response · Northern Michigan’s most trusted roofers |
