Hiring a Roofer in Knoxville? 11 Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

Here is something nobody likes to talk about. Roof replacement is one of the most expensive home improvement projects most people ever do. And it is also one of the areas where Tennessee sees the most contractor complaints. The state's Department of Commerce and Insurance logged more than 900 roofing-related complaints in 2023 alone.

But here is the good news. Most of those problems are totally avoidable. You just need to ask a few direct questions before you sign anything. Those answers will tell you almost everything you need to know about whether a contractor is worth your money.

Valor Roofing believes in being straight with people from the first phone call. So this guide is what every Knoxville homeowner should be asking any roofer. Including us. If we cannot answer these questions clearly, do not hire us. Simple as that.

1. Are You Licensed in Tennessee for This Project?

In Tennessee, a contractor's license is required for roofing projects valued at $25,000 or more. For smaller jobs, licensing requirements are less rigid at the state level, but Knox County and the City of Knoxville have their own rules that may apply. A legitimate contractor should be able to hand you their license number without hesitation.

You can verify any Tennessee contractor's license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance in about 60 seconds. It's worth doing. A business license is not the same as a contractor's license -- the former is just a tax registration. The latter confirms the contractor has met the state's requirements to work on your home.

Valor Roofing is licensed in the State of Tennessee (C) #12481.

2. Can You Show Me Proof of Insurance?

You need two types of coverage from anyone who works on your roof:

• General liability insurance -- covers damage to your property during the project
• Workers' compensation insurance -- covers their crew if someone is injured on your roof

Without workers' comp, you may be personally liable for a worker's medical bills if they're hurt on your property. Ask to see the actual certificates, not just a verbal assurance, and call the insurance provider to confirm the policies are current.

3. Who Is Actually Doing the Work?

Here is something a lot of homeowners do not realize. Some roofing companies are basically sales organizations. That is their main business. Selling. They take your contract, then they turn around and subcontract the actual installation to a different crew. Sometimes a crew with lower standards. Different equipment. No real relationship with you.

So here is what you ask.

• Is the crew that shows up on my roof your own employees, or subcontractors?
• If you use subcontractors, do they carry their own insurance?
• And will you--the person I am talking to--be on-site during the installation?

Look, subcontracting is not automatically a bad thing. Some of it is standard in the roofing industry. But you need to know the structure upfront. That way nothing surprises you when the truck pulls up.

4. What Materials Are You Recommending and Why?

A trustworthy contractor explains material choices based on your specific home and local climate, not just whatever happens to be on sale or what they stock the most of. For East Tennessee homes, the relevant considerations include:

• Wind resistance rating (East Tennessee sees significant storm wind events)
• Algae resistance (Knoxville's humidity means algae growth is a real issue on north-facing slopes)
• Whether the shingle qualifies for enhanced manufacturer warranties through their certification

Ask for the specific product name and manufacturer. Then look it up. You should be able to find the technical specs, warranty terms, and third-party reviews. If a contractor can't tell you what brand and line they're using, that's a problem.

5. Are You a Certified Installer for the Manufacturer?

Here is something most homeowners do not realize until it is too late. The big manufacturers--CertainTeed, GAF, Owens Corning, those guys--they run certification programs for contractors. A certified installer has been trained by the manufacturer. And here is the kicker. They are allowed to offer enhanced warranties to homeowners. We are talking 50-year material warranties sometimes. You cannot get that from a non-certified roofer. Not an option.

Valor Roofing is a CertainTeed ShingleMaster Certified contractor. What that means for you is access to stronger warranty coverage. Not the bare-bones warranty that comes with a standard install. Something with actual teeth.

6. What Does the Written Estimate Include?

A legitimate estimate should break down:

• Materials (quantity, brand, product line)
• Labor
• Tear-off and disposal of the old roof
• Any underlayment upgrades, flashings, or ventilation work
• What happens if damaged decking is discovered (cost per board, for example)
• Timeline from start to completion

If a quote is just a single number with no breakdown, ask for itemization. A contractor who won't itemize is either not sure what's included or doesn't want you comparing line items with competitors.

7. What Warranties Come with the Work?

Two different warranties. Make sure you understand both.

First, the manufacturer's warranty. That covers defects in the shingles themselves. Maybe the shingles crack or lose granules way too early. Coverage ranges from 20 years on basic shingles to lifetime on the premium stuff. But here is the catch. A lot of manufacturer warranties are prorated. Meaning the coverage drops every year. Year one, you are covered fully. Year fifteen, you get pennies on the dollar. Read the fine print.

Second, the workmanship warranty. That covers installation errors. A flashing that was not sealed right. Shingles that lift because someone used the wrong nails. This is the one that actually matters for most homeowners because bad installation is the most common cause of new-roof leaks. Workmanship warranties range from one year to lifetime. One year is the absolute minimum you should accept. If a contractor offers longer, that tells you something about how confident they are in their crew.

Get both warranties in writing.

Before you sign. Not after.

8. Will You Pull the Necessary Permits?

Permit rules change depending on where you live. But in Knox County? For a full roof replacement, you generally need a permit. Why does that matter? A permit means a building inspector comes out and checks the work. That protects you during the job and down the road when you sell the house. Home inspectors always look for unpermitted work. And they always find it.

Some contractors skip permits because it saves time. Saves them time. Not you. Make sure you know who is responsible for pulling permits before a single shingle comes off.

9. How Do You Handle Unexpected Decking Damage?

This is a big one. Here is what happens. The crew tears off your old shingles. Now they can see the decking--the plywood or OSB underneath. And sometimes they find rot. Soft spots. Damage that was hidden before. How your contractor handles this moment tells you a lot about who you hired.

Ask them upfront before the job starts. If you find damaged decking, how do you document it and what do you charge to repair it? A contractor you can trust will show you photos of the damage. Explain what they found. And give you a per-board rate before they do any extra work. A shady contractor will come to you with a vague story and a big number. Especially if they are paid a flat rate for the whole job. With itemized pricing, you know exactly what you are paying for.

10. What's Your Payment Structure?

Standard practice for legitimate roofing contractors is a deposit at contract signing -- typically 10 to 30 percent -- and the remainder due on completion or after a final walkthrough. Full payment upfront, or demands for large cash payments before work begins, are red flags. If a contractor needs a huge percentage before materials are even ordered, something is off.

Legitimate companies like Valor Roofing also offer financing options, which is worth asking about if cash flow is a concern.

11. Can You Give Me Local References I Can Actually Verify?

Recent, local references are meaningful. Ask for addresses or customers you can contact directly -- not just a list of names and phone numbers that may be relatives. Better still, ask if they can point you to a job in your neighborhood or one nearby that you could drive past.

Check Google reviews, the BBB profile, and any state licensing history. A company with 50 five-star reviews and a clean licensing record is a much safer hire than one with three reviews and a complaint history.

Red Flags Worth Knowing Before You Start

• Unsolicited door-knocking after a storm -- post-storm "storm chasers" are often out-of-state contractors who disappear when warranty issues arise
• Pressure to sign immediately -- a legitimate contractor doesn't need your signature today
• No physical address or local presence -- if they can't tell you where they're based in Tennessee, that's a problem
• Asking you to sign over your insurance claim -- also known as assignment of benefits, this practice removes your control over how the claim is settled

FAQ

Is a roofing license required in Tennessee?

If your project is $25,000 or more, yes. Tennessee requires a contractor's license at that threshold. Some local jurisdictions have their own requirements too. You can look up any contractor's license at verify.tn.gov. Takes two minutes.

What insurance should a roofer in Knoxville carry?

At a minimum, you want general liability and workers' compensation. But here is the thing. Do not just ask them if they have it. Ask for the actual certificates. Then call the insurance company and confirm the policy is active. People do sometimes let coverage lapse. You do not want to find that out after someone falls off your roof.

What is a workmanship warranty and how long should it be?

A workmanship warranty covers screw-ups during installation. It is different from the manufacturer's material warranty. A good contractor will offer at least one year. Some offer longer. Get it in writing. And ask what voids it. Some warranties require annual inspections or specific maintenance. Know that up front.

Should I get multiple estimates before hiring a roofer?

Yes. Three written, itemized estimates is the standard. Do not accept a verbal number scribbled on a business card. You want line items. Materials. Labor. Disposal. Overhead. That gives you a real baseline. It also helps you spot the bids that are either way too low or way too high. Both are red flags.

What is CertainTeed ShingleMaster certification?

It is a manufacturer certification. CertainTeed is one of the big shingle brands. They train and certify contractors who meet their standards. The main benefit for you is warranty coverage. A ShingleMaster certified installer can offer enhanced warranties that non-certified roofers cannot. So if something goes wrong with the shingles themselves, you have better protection.

Hiring Well Is the Whole Job

Here is the bottom line. A roof that lasts 25 years versus a roof that fails in 12? The difference is usually not the shingles. It is who nailed them down. The 11 questions above take almost no time to ask. And the answers will tell you fast whether the person on the other end of the phone is worth your money.

Valor Roofing is licensed. Insured. Veteran-owned. We cover Knoxville and the surrounding area. Free inspections. No guesswork on pricing. And we carry CertainTeed certifications so you get the better warranty. Call (865) 468-8726 or hit the online contact form. Happy to come take a look.