How Do I Find a Good Roofing Contractor in Charlotte?
To find a reliable Charlotte roofing contractor, start by checking for a valid NC General Contractor license, verifying at least $1 million in general liability insurance, reading Google reviews (look for 4.8+ stars with 50+ reviews), and confirming they have a permanent office in the Charlotte metro area.
Charlotte has hundreds of roofing companies ranging from one-truck operations to large regional firms. The quality gap between the best and worst is enormous. A few hours of research can save you thousands of dollars and years of headaches.
The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors maintains a free online database where you can verify any contractor's license status, insurance, and complaint history.
What Questions Should I Ask a Roofing Company Before Hiring?
Before hiring a Charlotte roofer, ask these seven essential questions: What is your NC license number? Do you carry workers' compensation insurance? Who will be the on-site project manager? What manufacturer certifications do you hold? What is your warranty coverage? Will you pull the building permit? Can you provide 3 local references from the past 6 months?
A reputable contractor will answer all of these confidently. Hesitation or vague answers on any of these questions is a red flag.
Pay special attention to workers' compensation insurance. If a contractor's worker is injured on your property and they lack workers' comp, you could be held liable. Always request a current certificate of insurance and verify it with the insurance company directly.
What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Roofer in Charlotte?
Major red flags include: demanding full payment upfront, having no physical office address, offering prices far below other estimates, pressuring you to sign immediately, refusing to pull permits, lacking a written contract, and showing up unsolicited after a storm — known as "storm chasing."
Storm chasers are a particular problem in Charlotte. After hail or wind events, out-of-state crews flood the area offering "free" roof inspections and then pressure homeowners to sign contracts and assign insurance benefits. Many disappear after collecting insurance payment, leaving homeowners with substandard work and no warranty recourse.
Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form that gives a contractor control over your insurance claim. You can and should maintain control of your own claim process.
How Many Roofing Estimates Should I Get in Charlotte?
Get at least three written estimates from licensed Charlotte roofing contractors. This gives you a realistic price range and helps you spot outliers — both suspiciously low bids (often from uninsured or unlicensed operators) and unnecessarily high ones. Most reputable Charlotte roofers provide free estimates.
Compare estimates carefully — they should itemize materials, labor, tear-off, disposal, permits, and warranty terms. A significantly cheaper estimate may be using inferior materials, skipping tear-off, or planning to skip the permit.
Don't automatically choose the lowest bid. In roofing, you generally get what you pay for. The best value is usually the mid-range estimate from a well-reviewed, properly licensed contractor.
What Certifications Should a Charlotte Roofer Have?
Look for manufacturer certifications from GAF (Master Elite), Owens Corning (Platinum Preferred), or CertainTeed (SELECT ShingleMaster). These certifications mean the contractor has met rigorous training and quality standards, and can offer the manufacturer's best warranty programs — up to 50-year non-prorated coverage.
Only about 2-3% of roofing contractors nationwide achieve GAF Master Elite status. In the Charlotte area, there are roughly 15-20 Master Elite contractors, giving homeowners access to premium warranty options.
These certifications also mean the manufacturer has vetted the contractor's business practices, insurance, and customer satisfaction records. It's an additional layer of accountability beyond state licensing.
How Do I Verify a Roofing Contractor's License in North Carolina?
Verify any NC roofing contractor's license for free at the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors website (nclbgc.org). Search by company name or license number to see their license status, classification, and any disciplinary actions. Any contractor working on projects over $30,000 must hold a valid NC general contractor license.
In North Carolina, roofing contractors need either a General Contractor license or a specific Roofing license for projects over $30,000. For smaller jobs, contractors may not need a state license, but they should still carry insurance.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg also requires contractors to register with the city. You can verify this through the Charlotte Business License Office.