A roofing contract should say, in writing and in plain words, who is doing what work, with which materials, by what dates, for how much, paid when, and what happens if something goes wrong. The FTC advises asking for a written contract even if your state does not require one, and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) says a clear, detailed proposal is a sign of a thorough contractor. This page is a checklist of what to look for. It is not a template and it is not legal advice: a lawyer in your state can review a contract you are unsure about.
If you are still choosing a roofer, start with how to hire a roofer. This page is for the moment the paper arrives.
The checklist at a glance
| Part of the contract | What it should say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The parties | Contractor name, address, phone, license number | The FTC lists these |
| The roof | Covering by manufacturer, product line and color | NRCA lists it |
| The work | Tear-off, decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, method | Nothing assumed |
| Decking | Price per sheet for any replacement | Surprises have a known cost |
| Dates | Estimated start and completion | The FTC lists these |
| Payment | Price, deposit, stages, final payment | Ties money to progress |
| Damage | Who repairs landscaping, gutters, interior finishes | NRCA says to address it |
| Cleanup | Hauling, nail sweep, dumpster | Avoids arguments at the end |
| Warranties | Both, with term and exclusions | Know what is promised |
| Cancellation | Your three-day right, if it applies | Federal rule |
| Changes | Written change orders only | Protects the price |
Who is signing, and who is licensed
The FTC says a contract should include the contractor's name, address, phone number and license number. Check that the name on the contract matches the name on the license and on the insurance certificates. Licensing rules are state law, so look the license up with your state's licensing board if your state requires one. Our guide to what to check before you hire a contractor covers licenses and insurance.
The work, line by line
NRCA says a proposal should name the roof covering by type, manufacturer and color, list the materials, describe the scope of work, state whether the existing roof is removed or covered over, and cover flashing, ventilation and the installation method. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives a similar list.
Turn that into a rule: if you were promised it, it is on the page. A vague line such as "install new roof" leaves each side free to assume something different. Look for these, each as its own line:
- Tear-off of every existing layer, and whether a layover is allowed or priced.
- Underlayment, ice barrier, drip edge, flashing and ventilation, each named.
- The product line and color of the shingle, not just the maker.
- Who applies for the permit and who books inspections. The FTC lists a contractor who asks you to get the permits as a warning sign. Our permit guide explains what a permit covers.
You can compare these lines across estimates with the worksheet in how to compare roofing estimates.
Decking and change orders
The roofer cannot know how much of the deck is rotten until the old roof is off. So the contract should state a price per sheet of replacement decking, and say that the roofer must tell you before doing any extra work.
Anything that changes the scope or price after you sign should be a written change order that both of you sign. It should describe the extra work and its price. The FTC advises including every promise in the contract, so a spoken "we will fix that for free" belongs on the page too.
Dates, weather and payment
The FTC says to include estimated start and completion dates, and NRCA says the same for a roofing proposal. The BBB suggests asking what the roofer will do to protect your home if rain or snow arrives while the roof is open. Put the answer in the contract.
On payment, the FTC advises never paying the whole cost up front, and says some states limit the size of a down payment, so check with your state or local consumer agency. Write the payment plan into the contract: the total price, the deposit, each later payment and what finished work triggers it, and a final payment due only after the work is complete and you are satisfied. NRCA lists payment procedures as part of a proposal. For what is typical and how to pay safely, see our guide to roofing scams and the page on how much deposit a roofer should ask for.
Damage, cleanup and who pays
NRCA says: before you sign, make sure the contract has language on who is responsible for damage caused by the roofing work. Its proposal checklist asks who repairs or replaces damaged landscaping or interior finishes. A roof job drops debris, scrapes gutters and shakes ceilings, so this clause matters.
The BBB advises confirming that the roofer will haul away old materials and clean up, and checking whether that service costs extra. Ask for a magnetic sweep for nails and name where the dumpster will sit.
Warranties, in writing
NRCA describes two kinds of warranty. The manufacturer's warranty generally covers defects in the roof covering, with terms from 20 years to lifetime, and you should get the certificate once the project is done. The contractor's workmanship warranty covers installation. NRCA says it should state what is covered and what would void it, and that many contractors offer one or two years with no industry standard.
Write down the length of each, what it covers, who registers the manufacturer's warranty, and who you call. Do not rely on a verbal "lifetime." Our guide to roofing warranties explains how to read the terms.
Your right to cancel
The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule generally lets you cancel for a full refund until midnight of the third business day after a sale made at your home or another place that is not the seller's permanent place of business. It covers sales of $25 or more at your home. The seller must tell you about the right, give you two cancellation forms and give you a dated contract showing the seller's name and address. The rule does not cover emergency purchases, and some states offer more protection. The FTC advises a contract that includes a written statement of the right if it applies.
To cancel, sign and date one cancellation form and mail it, postmarked by the deadline. The FTC recommends certified mail with a return receipt, and a copy for you.
Liens
An unpaid subcontractor or supplier can sometimes place a lien on your home even after you have paid the roofer, FindLaw explains, and rules and deadlines vary by state. A contract can require the roofer to supply lien waivers as you pay. Ask a local attorney how it works where you live, and read roofing lien waivers.
Before you sign
- Fill in or strike every blank space. The FTC advises this.
- Read the whole thing, including small print and any attachments such as the manufacturer's warranty.
- Do not sign under pressure. If you feel rushed, that is a warning sign: see roofing scams.
- Keep a signed copy, and keep every estimate, change order, receipt and photo.
Frequently asked questions
Does a roofing contract have to be in writing?
Requirements vary by state. The FTC advises getting a written contract regardless, because it records every promise about the work and the price.
What happens if the roofer finds rotten decking?
The contract should already state a price per sheet and require you to approve extra work in writing. Without that, you may face an open-ended bill. Ask for the price per sheet before you sign.
Can I cancel a roofing contract after signing?
If you signed at home or away from the seller's permanent place of business, the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule generally gives you until midnight of the third business day. It excludes emergency purchases, and the right may not apply to a contract you signed at the seller's office.
Should the contract mention the warranty?
Yes. NRCA says the proposal should state the length and coverage of the warranty. Write down both the manufacturer's and the workmanship warranty, with what voids them.
Who is responsible if the crew damages my property?
That depends on the contract. NRCA says to make sure it names who is responsible for damage caused by the work, including landscaping and interior finishes.
Where this information comes from
HomeAnvil does not publish contractor data of its own. Each fact on this page comes from the source named beside it, all read on October 13, 2026. This is a checklist of items to look for, not a contract template, and it is not legal advice.
- FTC Consumer Advice, How to avoid a home improvement scam, July 2022: written contract, contract contents, down payments, the final payment, blank spaces and the permit warning sign.
- FTC Consumer Advice, Buyer's remorse: the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule may help, September 2025: the three-business-day right, the $25 threshold, covered places, what the seller must provide, how to cancel and the emergency exclusion.
- NRCA, Resources for consumers, no date shown (page copyright 2026): proposal contents, responsibility for damage, and the two kinds of warranty.
- NRCA, Selecting a contractor, no date shown (page copyright 2026): a written proposal with dates and payment terms.
- Better Business Bureau, Hire a trusted roofing contractor, published August 15, 2023, updated May 28, 2025: the written contract, cleanup and weather protection.
- FindLaw, Understanding mechanic's liens, updated December 28, 2023: liens after payment, lien waivers and state variation.
Licensing, deposits, cancellation and lien rules differ from state to state. We will update this page when these sources change, and the date above will say when.
Related guides
How do you compare roofing estimates?Compare roofing estimates line by line: squares, price per square, product lines, tear-off, decking, underlayment, flashing, permit, warranties and payment terms.
What questions should you ask a roofer before you sign?The roofing questions to ask before you sign: tear-off, decking, ice barrier, ventilation, permit, crew, cleanup, payment and warranty papers, plus red flags.
How do you spot a roofing scam or a storm chaser?Storm chasers knock unasked, want money up front, offer to cover your deductible or ask you to sign over your claim. How to check a roofer and report one.
What does a roof warranty actually cover?A shingle warranty covers manufacturing defects, a contractor's warranty covers installation. How prorating, wind, algae, transfers and voiding work.
Do you need a permit to replace a roof?Usually yes, where your local code requires one. A roofing permit costs about $100 to $500, and up to $1,400 in some places. Who pulls it and what gets inspected.
What to check before you hire a contractorFive things to ask for before you sign with a roofing, siding, window, bath or HVAC contractor, wherever you live in the United States.