Start With the License
Maryland requires a Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license for roofing work over a small dollar threshold — which every full replacement exceeds. Ask for the number, then verify it. This is non-negotiable: an unlicensed roofer has no accountability if the job goes wrong.
Verify Insurance — Both Kinds
General liability and workers' compensation, current certificates in hand. Roofing is dangerous work. If a worker is hurt on your property and the company carries no workers' comp, the liability can land on you. Do not take "we're insured" at face value — see the certificates.
The Seven Questions
- "How long have you worked in the Baltimore area?" Local means they will be here in year three when a warranty issue appears. Storm-chasers will not.
- "Who will actually be on my roof — your crew or subcontractors?" Neither answer is automatically bad, but you deserve to know, and the company should stand behind whoever shows up.
- "What exactly is included?" Tear-off? Decking price per sheet? New flashing or reused? Underlayment type? Ventilation plan? Cleanup standard?
- "What is the decking price per sheet?" Agreed before tear-off, in writing. "We'll figure it out" is the wrong answer.
- "What manufacturer certifications do you hold?" Factory certifications (like GAF or Owens Corning preferred status) indicate training and unlock better warranties.
- "What warranties do I get — material and workmanship?" Two separate warranties. A 30-year shingle with a 1-year workmanship warranty is a red flag — most failures are installation failures.
- "Can I see recent jobs nearby?" Real addresses, real photos, ideally a reference you can call.
Red Flags — Walk Away When
- No MHIC license number, or excuses about why they do not need one
- Demanding full payment upfront (a deposit is normal; full prepayment is not)
- A quote dramatically lower than everyone else — corners are being cut somewhere
- Pressure to sign today, "storm pricing," or invented damage you cannot see
- Asking you to sign over your insurance check before work starts
- No written contract, or a contract with no scope detail
- Out-of-state plates knocking on doors after a storm
Compare Scope, Not Just Price
Three quotes, same questions, line-by-line comparison. The $13,000 bid with tear-off, ice shield, new flashing, balanced ventilation, and a real workmanship warranty beats the $10,500 bid that skips half of it. On a roof, the cheapest price is rarely the cheapest roof.