How to Choose a Roofing Contractor on Long Island: 7 Things to Check
After a major storm, Long Island gets flooded with out-of-state "storm chasers" and unlicensed contractors looking to take advantage of homeowners in a vulnerable moment. Even in normal conditions, the roofing industry has more than its share of fly-by-night operators. Here are the 7 non-negotiable things to verify before you hire anyone to work on your roof in Nassau or Suffolk County.
In New York, home improvement contractors must be registered with the NYS Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection. Nassau and Suffolk Counties also require county-level home improvement contractor licenses. Ask for the license number and verify it at dos.ny.gov. Unlicensed contractors put you at risk — if a worker is injured on your property, you could be held liable without proper workers' comp coverage.
Ask for certificates of insurance — both general liability (minimum $1 million) and workers' compensation. The certificate should name your property address. Call the insurance company listed to confirm the policy is active. A contractor who hesitates or can't produce these documents should not be on your roof.
GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed ShingleMaster, and Owens Corning Preferred Contractor certifications require demonstrated installation training, valid licensing, and insurance. Contractors holding these certifications can offer enhanced manufacturer warranties that unlicensed installers cannot. These certifications are independently verifiable on each manufacturer's website.
Never accept a verbal quote or a one-line estimate. A legitimate roofing estimate should specify: exact materials (manufacturer, product line, color), number of layers being removed, scope of ice and water shield coverage, drip edge, ridge vent, flashing replacement, deck repair allowance, permit cost, and workmanship warranty.
Many roofing companies in Nassau and Suffolk County are essentially sales operations — they sell the job, then hire day-labor subcontractors to do the actual installation. Ask directly: "Will your employees be doing the work, or will you subcontract it?" If subcontracted, ask who the subcontractor is and whether they carry their own insurance.
Google reviews are a good start, but also check the BBB, HomeAdvisor, and Yelp. Look for contractors with consistent reviews over multiple years. Read the negative reviews carefully; how a company responds to complaints tells you a lot about how they handle problems.
After every major Long Island nor'easter, out-of-state contractors flood the area with no local license, no local presence, and will be impossible to reach if there's a problem two years later. If a contractor shows up unsolicited, asks for a large cash deposit upfront, or pressures you to sign the same day — walk away.