Roofing Contractor in Lubbock: What Should You Ask?

The most useful questions for a Lubbock roofer are about proof and paper: Are you registered with the City? Who pulls the permit? Can I see your insurance? What exactly is in this bid? The answers tell you more than a sales pitch or a yard sign. Ask every bidder the same questions, write down the answers, and compare them side by side before you choose.

Questions about the company

• Are you registered with the City of Lubbock? Inside city limits, a contractor re-roofing a home must be registered and provide either a $20,000 compliance bond or $100,000 in general liability insurance (City of Lubbock). You can confirm with Building Safety at 806-775-2087.
• Can I see your certificate of insurance? The Texas Attorney General's office suggests asking for proof of insurance, including workers' compensation, because an uninsured contractor could leave you liable for accidents on your property (Texas AG). Call the insurer listed to confirm it.
• Where is your office, and who answers the phone in a year? TDI says a bid should show the company's letterhead, phone number and address (TDI).
• Can I see recent roofs nearby? Ask for addresses in Lubbock, Wolfforth or Slaton you can drive past, and for two or three customers to call.
• Who will be on my roof? Ask whether the company's own crew or a subcontractor does the work, and who supervises the job day to day.

Questions about the inspection

• Which slopes did you inspect, and what couldn't you reach?
• Can I have the photos with captions?
• Is this storm damage, age wear, or both? A good roofer separates them, and says so in writing.
• Do you recommend a repair or a replacement, and why? If the answer is replacement, ask what a repair would cost and why it isn't enough. Our roof repair page covers small fixes.

Questions about the bid

• How many squares did you measure, and how many layers are coming off?
• What shingle or panel, by exact product name? For shingles, ask the impact class. TDI explains that roof coverings are rated Class 1 to 4 under UL 2218, and that Class 4 gets the highest insurance credit (TDI). A product label beats a word like "premium."
• What underlayment, drip edge, flashing and pipe boots are included? Ask whether existing flashing is being reused or replaced.
• What do you charge per sheet of decking if you find bad boards?
• How will edges and ridges be fastened for wind? West Texas wind works on edges first; ask how the install follows the manufacturer's instructions for high-wind areas.
• What ventilation changes, if any, and why?
• What is the cleanup plan for nails and debris?

The NRCA's trade magazine recommends naming the specific test method and classification, rather than a vague "hail-resistant" label, when describing a product (Professional Roofing). Hold bidders to the same standard.

Questions about permits and paperwork

• Who pulls the permit? The City requires a roofing permit to tear off and replace shingles, with an inspection after completion.
• Will you do the interior inspection and submit the City's roof replacement affidavit? Lubbock's Building Safety department says the contractor performs the interior inspection and submits the affidavit before the final inspection is scheduled (City of Lubbock).
• Will you fill out my insurer's impact-resistant roof form? TDI publishes Form PC068 for this, and some insurers use their own.

Questions about money and the contract

• What are the payment stages? Avoid large or full payments up front, as TDI advises.
• If insurance is paying, does the contract include the deductible notice? Business & Commerce Code §27.02 requires a bold notice on insurance-funded contracts of $1,000 or more stating that the homeowner must pay the deductible.
• Will you place a lien on my property? The AG's office says to find this out in writing.
• What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long? Get it in the contract, separate from the manufacturer's product warranty.
• What happens if the job finds problems not in the bid? Ask for written change orders you approve before extra work starts.

If someone knocked on your door after a storm, also read how to check a storm chaser. For price context, see new roof cost in Lubbock, and if you're unsure what's wrong, start with a roof inspection.

Common questions

How many roofing quotes should I get?

TDI suggests at least three bids so you can spot prices that are too high or too good to be true. Compare them by line item, not just total.

Does Texas license roofers?

No. Texas has no statewide roofing license. Inside Lubbock city limits, a contractor re-roofing a home must register with the City and carry a $20,000 compliance bond or $100,000 in general liability insurance, so ask for the City registration.

What should a roofing warranty include?

What is covered, who stands behind it (the roofer or the manufacturer) and for how long, all written into the contract. The AG's office gives the same advice for any home repair guarantee.

Should I pay a deposit for a new roof?

Keep it small and tied to a written contract. Don't make the final payment until the work is done and, inside Lubbock city limits, the City's final inspection has passed.

We connect Lubbock homeowners with independent local pros. You confirm the price and schedule directly with them.