Michigan roofing contractor checklist

{ "title": "Michigan Roofing Contractor Checklist: What to Verify Before You Hire", "metaDescription": "Hiring a roofer in Michigan? Use this checklist to verify licenses, insurance, contracts & warranties before signing anything. Free intake available.", "body": "# Michigan Roofing Contractor Checklist: What to Verify Before You Hire\n\nA leaking roof can turn into a five-figure problem fast. Hiring the wrong contractor makes it worse. In Michigan, storm chasers and unlicensed roofers show up after every major hailstorm — and homeowners pay the price. This checklist helps you slow down, ask the right questions, and protect yourself before a single shingle is touched.\n\n## 1. Verify Michigan Licensing and Registration\n\nMichigan does not issue a statewide roofing-specific license, but residential builders and maintenance-and-alteration contractors who work on homes must be licensed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Any contractor performing structural or significant roofing work on a residence generally needs a Michigan Residential Builder license or a Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license.\n\nHow to check:\n- Visit the LARA license search tool at michigan.gov/lara\n- Search the contractor's full legal business name and license number\n- Confirm the license is active and not expired or suspended\n\nAlso check whether your local municipality requires a roofing permit. In most Michigan cities and townships, a permit is required for a full roof replacement. A legitimate contractor will pull the permit for you — never let a contractor tell you permits are unnecessary to "save money."\n\n## 2. Confirm Insurance: Liability and Workers' Compensation\n\nThis step protects you if a worker falls off your roof or damages your property.\n\nAsk for two separate certificates of insurance:\n\n1. General liability insurance — covers property damage and accidents. Look for at least $1 million per occurrence.\n2. Workers' compensation insurance — covers injured workers so you aren't personally liable. In Michigan, contractors with one or more employees are generally required to carry workers' comp.\n\nDo not just accept a verbal assurance. Ask for the actual certificate of insurance (COI) and call the insurance company to verify it is current. Coverage can lapse between the time a COI is printed and the day work begins.\n\n## 3. Check Reviews, References, and Local Standing\n\nA Michigan roofer with a real track record should be easy to verify:\n\n- Search the company on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)\n- Ask for three local references from jobs completed in the past 12 months — and actually call them\n- Check how long the company has been operating in Michigan. Out-of-state contractors often arrive after major storms and disappear before warranty issues surface\n- Search the contractor's name plus "complaint" or "lawsuit" to surface any red flags\n\nLocal longevity matters. A company that has reroofed homes in your county for 10+ years is far less likely to vanish when you need a warranty repair.\n\n## 4. Read the Written Contract — Every Line\n\nMichigan's Home Improvement Finance Act (HIFA) provides important protections for homeowners, but only if you have a written contract. Never allow work to start on a handshake deal.\n\nYour contract should clearly state:\n\n- Scope of work — materials, brand, shingle type, and color\n- Start and estimated completion date\n- Total price and payment schedule — be very cautious about contractors demanding more than 30–50% upfront\n- Permit responsibility — who pulls it and who pays for it\n- Cleanup and disposal — old shingles, nails, and debris removal\n- Subcontractor disclosure — will any work be done by subcontractors, and are they also insured?\n- Change order process — any additions to scope must be in writing\n\nUnder HIFA, contracts over a certain dollar threshold must include a three-day right to cancel. If a salesperson pressures you to sign immediately and waive that right, walk away.\n\n## 5. Understand the Warranty — Both Kinds\n\nA solid roofing job comes with two separate warranties:\n\n1. Manufacturer's warranty — covers defects in the shingles themselves (commonly 25–50 years for architectural shingles). This warranty is often only valid if the contractor is a certified installer for that manufacturer.\n2. Workmanship warranty — covers the contractor's installation. This varies widely. Ask for it in writing and confirm it transfers if you sell the home.\n\nBe skeptical of extremely short workmanship warranties (under 2 years) or vague language like "we stand behind our work."\n\n## 6. Watch for These Michigan-Specific Red Flags\n\n- Storm chasers who knock on your door unsolicited after a hailstorm and pressure you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form before you've spoken to your insurance company\n- No physical Michigan address — only a cell number and a P.O. Box\n- Cash-only demands with no paper trail\n- Lowball bids significantly below every other estimate (often signals cut-rate materials or unlicensed labor)\n- Pressure to skip permits to "speed things up"\n\nIf something feels off, trust that instinct and get a second opinion.\n\n---\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### Does Michigan require a permit for roof replacement?\n\nIn most Michigan municipalities, yes — a full roof replacement requires a building permit. Requirements vary by city or township, so confirm with your local building department. A trustworthy contractor will handle permit applications as part of the job.\n\n### How many estimates should I get before hiring a Michigan roofer?\n\nMost consumer advocates recommend at least three written estimates. This gives you a realistic price range and helps you spot bids that are suspiciously low or unusually high.\n\n### Is a verbal roofing contract valid in Michigan?\n\nTechnically a verbal contract can be legally binding, but it is extremely difficult to enforce. Michigan's Home Improvement Finance Act strongly favors written contracts for home improvement work. Always insist on everything in writing before any work begins.\n\n### What should I do if a Michigan roofing contractor did poor work?\n\nYou have several options: file a complaint with LARA, report the contractor to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, leave documented reviews, or consult an attorney about breach of contract. Document everything with dated photos. Talk to our intake team to understand your options.\n\n### Can I check if a Michigan roofer has complaints against their license?\n\nYes. The LARA online license search at michigan.gov/lara shows license status and any disciplinary actions. The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) also maintains a complaint history for registered businesses.\n\n---\n\nHiring a roofer is one of the bigger decisions you'll make as a Michigan homeowner. Take your time, verify every item on this checklist, and don't let anyone rush you into signing. If you've already had a bad experience with a contractor — or you're not sure whether a situation qualifies as a legal or insurance dispute — you don't have to figure it out alone.\n\nTalk to our 24/7 AI to see if you have a strong case — free, no obligation. → Start free intake" }