The Reference-Check Script

Eight questions to ask a roofer's past customer. Print this and call two references for every roofer on your shortlist. Twenty minutes of calls saves you years of regret.

Time to use: 10 minutes per call

The opener

"Hi, [name]. [Roofer] gave me your number as a reference. I am thinking about hiring them. Do you have five minutes?"

The eight questions

1. When did they do your roof?
2. Did the final price match the original estimate? If not, by how much?
3. How long did the job take? Was that what they said it would?
4. Was the same crew there the whole time? Was the foreman around?
5. How did they leave your property at the end of each day?
6. Have you had any issues since? If so, how did they handle it?
7. Did you have to chase them for anything? Warranty paperwork, magnet sweep, anything?
8. If you had to do it again, would you hire them again?

The tell

The most important moment is the pause before question 8. A real "yes" comes fast. A hesitant "well, I mean, mostly..." is your answer.
Listen for what the person volunteers without being asked. Praise about cleanup, follow-through, or honesty is the strongest signal.
Listen for complaints that came up but were not asked about. "They did call back when..." is a flag that there was an issue.

A roofer who cannot put you on the phone with two recent customers is not a roofer you hire. We will hand you four if you ask. Pick any.