How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in North Idaho: 10 Questions to Ask
The quality of the installation matters as much as the roofing material. A good contractor gives you a roof that lasts; a bad one gives you callbacks and, eventually, another roof. Here are 10 questions to ask before you hire, the red flags to watch for, and what Idaho law gives you as a homeowner.
- Hire a roofer registered with the state of Idaho. Look up any contractor's registration through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
- To register, Idaho requires a contractor to show at least $300,000 in general liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation. Ask for the certificates.
- On a job over $2,000, Idaho law requires the contractor to give you a signed disclosure statement first.
- Get a detailed written estimate, and be wary of door-knockers, pressure to sign, and requests for full payment up front.
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How Do You Choose a Roofer in North Idaho?
Check five things: the contractor is registered with the state, insured, local, certified by the manufacturer, and willing to put the estimate, warranty, and permit plan in writing.
- Registered: Idaho law makes it unlawful to work as a contractor without registering. Look up any contractor through the Idaho Contractors Board
- Insured: ask for certificates showing general liability and workers' compensation coverage
- Local: a roofer based in North Idaho is here for warranty service and knows our snow and winters
- Certified: manufacturer credentials like Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and inspection training like HAAG certification
- In writing: a detailed estimate, a workmanship warranty, and a permit plan
What 10 Questions Should You Ask a Roofer?
Ask about registration and insurance, certifications, references, the written estimate, the workmanship warranty, permits, protecting your property, timeline, unexpected damage, and what happens after the job.
- Are you registered and insured?
Idaho requires contractors to register, and registration requires proof of at least $300,000 in general liability insurance and of workers' compensation, or a statement of why it isn't required. Ask for the certificates.
- What manufacturer certifications do you hold?
An Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, for example, can offer Owens Corning's extended warranties, which other contractors can't. See what an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor means.
- Can you give me local references?
Homeowners in Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, or Hayden you can call. Ask about communication, cleanup, timeline, and whether the final price matched the estimate. Check reviews for patterns.
- Will you give me a written estimate?
It should break down materials, labor, tear-off, disposal, and extras, so you can compare bids line by line.
- What's your workmanship warranty?
It's separate from the manufacturer's material warranty and covers installation errors. Ask how long it lasts and what it covers, in writing. See understanding roof warranties.
- Who pulls the permit?
The contractor should. North Idaho's cities and Kootenai County issue re-roof permits, and Idaho law requires each permit to show the contractor's registration number. See roofing permits in Kootenai County.
- How will you protect my property?
Tarps around the house, protection for landscaping, a dumpster for debris, and a magnetic nail sweep of the yard and driveway.
- What's the timeline?
Most homes take 1 to 3 days, weather permitting. Ask when they can start and how they tarp the roof if rain or snow hits mid-job.
- How do you handle unexpected damage?
Rotted decking may turn up during tear-off. Get it in the contract that they'll show you and agree on the cost before going further.
- What happens after the job?
Will they register the manufacturer warranty, give you the warranty paperwork, and walk the job with you?
What Must an Idaho Contractor Give You Before a Job Over $2,000?
A signed disclosure statement. Under Idaho Code 45-525, before a contract over $2,000 to repair or improve your home, a general contractor must tell you about your rights, and you sign to acknowledge receiving it.
- You can require lien waivers from the contractor's subcontractors and suppliers, at your expense
- You can get proof of the contractor's general liability insurance, including completed operations, and workers' compensation
- You're told you can buy an extended title insurance policy that covers certain unfiled liens
- You can require a surety bond, at your expense, up to the value of the project
Read the full requirement in Idaho Code 45-525.
What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Roofer?
The FTC lists these warning signs: a contractor knocking on your door because they're "in the area," leftover materials from another job, pressure for an immediate decision, asking for everything up front or cash only, asking you to get the permits, and suggesting a lender they know.
- Get several written estimates and ask about big differences between them
- Check registration, insurance, and references yourself
- Pay on a schedule tied to the work, and hold the final payment until the job is done
- Read every document before you sign
- Hire someone who knocks on your door after a storm without checking them out
- Sign under pressure to decide today
- Pay in full up front or in cash
- Pull the permit yourself because the contractor asked you to
The FTC also advises against automatically choosing the lowest bid. If you sign a contract at home, you generally have three business days to cancel.
Why Hire a Local Roofer?
A local roofer will be here for warranty service, knows North Idaho's snow, ice dams, and permit offices, and can give you references from your neighbors.
Lakeview Roofing is based in Rathdrum and serves all of Kootenai County. Our owners, Christopher and Katelyn Brown, live here, and our reputation is everything to us. Request a free estimate or call (208) 661-1781, and we'll answer every one of these questions before you spend a dime.
Questions? We're Happy to Answer Them.
No pressure, no sales pitch, just straight answers about your roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get multiple roofing estimates?
Yes. Get two or three written estimates from local contractors and compare them line by line. The FTC advises not to automatically choose the lowest bid and to ask about big differences between estimates.
How do I verify a roofer's registration and insurance?
Look up the contractor through the Idaho Contractors Board at the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, and ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Idaho registration requires at least $300,000 in general liability coverage.
What does an Idaho contractor have to give me before the job?
On a home improvement contract over $2,000, Idaho Code 45-525 requires a signed disclosure statement covering your right to lien waivers, proof of insurance, extended title insurance, and a surety bond.
How do I avoid roofing scams in North Idaho?
Watch for door-knockers who are "in the area," pressure to decide immediately, requests to pay everything up front or in cash, and contractors who ask you to pull the permit. Check registration, insurance, and references, and never pay in full before the work is done.
Who is the best roofing contractor in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho?
The best roofer for your home is registered with the state, insured, based in North Idaho, and willing to put the estimate, warranty, and permit plan in writing. Compare two or three local contractors using the 10 questions in this guide.
About this guide. Written by Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofing company in Rathdrum, Idaho, and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor with HAAG certified inspectors. Facts in this guide were checked against the sources listed below.
Sources
- Idaho Code 54-5204, Contractor Registration Required
- Idaho Code 54-5209, Building Permits and Contractor Registration Number
- Idaho Code 54-5210, Application for Registration (insurance requirements)
- Idaho Code 45-525, General Contractors, Residential Property, Disclosures
- Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Idaho Contractors Board
- Federal Trade Commission, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam