How to Hire a Roofer in Portland — 10 Questions to Ask Before You Commit

Finding the right roofer for your Portland-area home is more than price shopping. A good hire protects your house, your warranty, and your peace of mind. Use this checklist—tailored for Greater Portland and Gresham homeowners—to vet contractors fast and avoid the common mistakes that cost time and money.

Quick takeaway: ask for proof — license, insurance, warranty paperwork, and recent photos of similar jobs. If a contractor won’t show these, don’t hire them.

---

Why this matters in Portland / the PNW

Portland’s wet climate, frequent storms, and abundant tree cover make roofing work different than in dry regions. You need a roofer who understands local moisture control, ice-and-water details, moss management, and how to document storm damage for insurance. Blue Moon Roofing is based in Gresham; the company owners have years of home-service experience protecting Washington County homes and know the local issues to watch for.

---

The 10 questions every homeowner should ask

1) Are you licensed and insured? (Ask to see proof)

Ask for the contractor’s Oregon CCB number and proof of insurance (general liability + workers’ comp). Call the CCB or check their portal if something looks off. A license and active insurance protect you if something goes wrong.

2) Can you provide references and recent photos of completed jobs like mine?

Request 3 recent projects similar in scope (roof repairs, replacements, gutters) and ask to see before/after photos. Look for clean jobsite protection, neat flashing, and tidy cleanup.

3) What exact products will you use, and do you handle warranty registration?

Get brand and model names for shingles, underlayment, and ice-and-water membrane. If you want manufacturer system coverage (like System Plus), confirm the contractor is eligible to install and will register the warranty for you.

4) What workmanship warranty do you provide?

Ask how warranty claims are handled, what documentation you must keep, and whether the warranty is transferable if you sell the house. Get the warranty in writing before work starts.

5) How will you protect my landscaping, driveway, and outdoor furniture?

Good crews use plywood, tarps, and designated staging areas. Confirm where they’ll place dumpsters and materials and whether they use magnetic sweeps to remove nails.

6) What’s your process for storm damage and insurance claims?

If you’re filing a claim, you want a contractor who documents damage thoroughly (photos, measurements), provides an itemized estimate, and can meet the adjuster. Ask whether they will submit supplements if the insurer misses items.

7) What nailing pattern and underlayment will you follow?

Proper nailing patterns and underlayment types matter for wind ratings and warranties. Ask for specifics—number of nails per shingle, synthetic vs. felt underlayment, and where peel-and-stick ice barrier will be installed (eaves, valleys, penetrations).

8) Will you inspect the deck and replace rotten sheathing if needed?

A quality roofer inspects the deck during tear-off and flags necessary deck repairs up front. Confirm how change orders are handled and that you’ll get before/after photos of any decking work.

9) How long will the job take and what’s your plan for bad weather?

For a standard single-family home many reroofs take about two days depending on size and complexity. Ask about contingencies for rain days and whether they’ll tarp and secure during emergencies.

10) What’s included in the final cleanup and closeout?

Confirm the crew will remove debris daily, perform magnetic nail sweeps, haul the dumpster, and provide a final photo report and warranty/registration paperwork at completion.

---

Extra vetting tips

• Check reviews: Look for consistent, detailed reviews that mention communication, cleanup, and warranty follow-up.

• Read the contract: The contract should list materials, start/end dates, permit responsibility, payment schedule, and exact warranty language. Avoid vague or verbal-only promises.

• Payment red flags: Never pay the full amount up front. Typical schedules include a reasonable deposit, progress payments, and a final payment on completion.

• Permits & inspections: Confirm who pulls permits and what inspections will occur.

---

Local considerations for Portland & Gresham homeowners

• Moss & algae: If your home has heavy shade or mature trees, ask about proactive moss control strategies and whether the proposed shingles have algae-resistant granules.

• Runoff & gutters: If you plan a reroof plus gutter work, coordinate both scopes so installers protect fascia and schedule gutter hookups immediately after shingle work. Blue Moon handles seamless aluminum gutters (no copper or specialty metals).

• Timing: Late spring through fall is busy — book ahead to avoid storm-season delays.

---

Sample homeowner script — what to say on the first call

“Hi — I’m calling about a roof replacement at [address]. I need confirmation you’re licensed and insured, you install [shingle brand/model], you’ll install peel-and-stick ice barrier at eaves and valleys, and you offer a 10-year workmanship warranty in writing. Can you send proof of insurance, three recent photos of similar jobs, and a sample contract?”

---

Quick checklist to hand to contractors

• License & insurance proof collected

• 3 reference photos with addresses / photo IDs

• Product list and warranty details attached

• Nailing pattern & underlayment noted on contract

• Dumpster & staging location agreed on site plan

• Final cleanup & magnetic sweep included

• Workmanship warranty (10 years) signed and attached

• Permit responsibility noted (who pulls)

• Payment schedule (deposit, progress, final) agreed

---

Frequently asked questions

If I have a small leak, should I hire for repair or full replacement?
Ask for a professional diagnosis first. Small, isolated flashing or shingle repairs are often cost-effective. If you have widespread granule loss, multiple leaks, or decking issues, replacement is usually the durable solution.

How much should I expect to pay?
Costs vary by material, roof complexity, and local permit/tear-off needs. Avoid contractors who give line-item prices over the phone without inspection. Expect a clear scope and written quantities after an on-site assessment.

What if a contractor won’t show proof of insurance or license?
Walk away. Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor puts you at financial and legal risk.

---

Choosing the right roofer protects your biggest investment. Ask for documentation, compare proposals carefully, and choose a contractor who communicates clearly and stands behind their work.

If you’d like a free, documented roof inspection in the Portland metro area (photo report + written scope), call Blue Moon Roofing & Gutters at (503) 825-2583 or visit the booking page on our site.