Are you unsure how to tell if a Seattle roofing contractor actually knows what they’re doing? Worried you’ll end up paying thousands for a roof that starts leaking just a few years later?
You’re not alone. In our rainy Pacific Northwest climate, it’s common for homeowners to hear horror stories from neighbors in Ballard, West Seattle, or Bellevue who hired the wrong roofer—someone who cut corners, subcontracted everything, or skipped key waterproofing steps altogether.
At RoofSmart, we’ve replaced far too many roofs that were supposed to last 20+ years but failed in under 10—all because the original installer lacked the experience, training, or integrity to do it right.
This article will help you avoid that fate. You’ll learn how to verify if a roofer is actually qualified (not just licensed). We’ll cover what licenses really mean in Washington State, how to spot red flags before signing a contract, and how to protect yourself from hidden costs or legal issues.
By the end, you’ll be confident in your ability to choose a roofing company you can trust—whether it’s us or someone else.
What Licenses Should Seattle Roofers Have to Be Legit?
All roofing companies in the Seattle area must have:
- a business license for each municipality they work in
- a general contractor’s license.
But, in the state of Washington, you do not need to take a test to get the general contractor’s license (see the WA State Department of Labor and Industries website for registration requirements). All you need is to be bonded and have general liability insurance. This means that the contractor’s license does not demonstrate any sort of roofing knowledge or expertise.
This means that pretty much anyone can become licensed to work on your Seattle area roof, even if they have absolutely no roofing experience. Having a general contractor’s license does not mean that they are qualified to do any sort of work on your roof. This sets you up to get an improperly installed roof that will develop issues early on (usually in about 7 to 12 years).
So, make sure that your roofer can not only demonstrate proof of insurance but also that there is evidence showing they are qualified. They should be able to show you the Certificate of Insurance for their business.
How Can I Tell If a Roofer Is Actually Qualified?
So how do you know if a roofing company is qualified? What evidence should you search for?
The best way to know is to do in-depth research on the company. Look for these things:
1. Portfolio of projects: See if they worked on roofs similar to yours or projects that are similar to what you want done on your house. This is especially important for specialty roofing jobs like metal roofing or something even more technical, like getting a roof deck.
2. Background check on their business practices: Before you let anyone near your roof in Seattle, look up their profile on the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries’ Verify tool and look up the roofing company by its name or license number.
This will show you:
- How many workers they pay workers’ compensation on (this will give you a better sense of whether they are doing the work themselves or subbing it out. We strongly recommend a company that does all the work because the best way for companies to ensure good quality is by doing it themselves).
- What insurance they have
- If they are up to date on things like insurance, bonds, licensing, and workers’ compensation premiums
3. Read their reviews: Search for the business online and check out their reviews. Look at the business’s websites, but also look around elsewhere on multiple review forums.
4. Get referrals: Ask family, friends, and other acquaintances for recommendations and referrals. A great way to know how a company operates is to hear about the experiences of people you already know and trust.
You can ask the roofing company for referrals from previous customers as well, but they’re definitely going to give you good ones. So, make sure that you also take into consideration all of the other research that you’ve done.
Looking for an easy way to know if a roofing contractor is qualified? Use our Qualified Roofer Checklist to confidently evaluate your roofer’s qualifications!
Is It Worth Paying More for a Quality Roof in Seattle’s Rainy Climate?
Thinking about the cost of a roofing job is important, and it goes without saying that you’ll want to find a roofer who can work within your budget. However, it costs more to have your roof done right.
Seattle’s wet climate demands a roofing contractor who knows how to prevent slow leaks and moss buildup (two common issues we repair).
If you’ve found a roofer in the area with a lower price then they are likely using cheaper, lower-quality materials and skipping steps to cut on costs.
With Seattle receiving an average of 150+ rainy days per year, improper installation can quietly lead to trapped moisture, mold, and rot. We regularly see roofs fail early because cheaper contractors skipped waterproof membranes or used subpar flashing.
But if you opt for a cheaper roof, even small mistakes in flashing or underlayment can go unnoticed. This is a problem because it will lead to issues like leaks or mold that won’t even show up for about 7-12 years.
When you choose a cheaper option, you risk hiring someone with less roofing experience who could install your roof improperly. In other words, you won’t know something is wrong with your roof until it’s far too late to prevent it.
How Do I Find A Qualified Roofer In Seattle?
You want to look for a roofer who is not willing to cut corners to give you a cheaper price. You deserve a great-quality roof, and any reputable, qualified roofer will want to make sure that that’s what you get.
You’ll be able to see this when the roofing contractor inspects your roof and then gives you a proposal. If they are willing to go through the proposal line by line to explain what is included and why they included it, this is a good sign that they actually care about your roof and that they know what they are talking about.
If your contractor is not willing to explain the proposal or the price of the roofing job, that is a big red flag.
How Can I Avoid Surprise Costs and Legal Issues With My Roofer?
A good way to protect yourself from being held liable for companies who are not paying their suppliers is to get an unconditional lien release from any supplier or subcontractor that is working on your project. This will protect you if, for example, they do not pay for the roofing materials used on your house. Most importantly, you must get this lien release set up and signed before you pay your final bill.
The best course of action is to get the lien release set up in the beginning as a part of your contract before you pay the company any money at all. The lien release will protect you from having to pay back any debts caused by the roofing company not paying on their end.
If you do not get a lien release, there is a chance that you could be held responsible by the bank to pay for what the roofing company owes them. This applies even if you have already paid the roofing company.
Any reputable company will have no problem adding an unconditional lien release to the contract. If the company has any issues with the lien release, then that is a sign that you should probably choose a new company.
Is RoofSmart the Right Roofing Company for You? Here’s How to Find Out
You now have a clear understanding of how to verify if a Seattle roofing contractor is truly qualified (not just someone with a license and a truck).
With our unpredictable climate and constant rain, cutting corners on your roof can lead to hidden water damage, mold, and premature failure, which are issues that may not appear for years but can cost you tens of thousands to fix.
Start by using our free Qualified Roofer Checklist, then look up any contractor (including RoofSmart) using the WA State Department of Labor and Industries Verify Tool. If you're considering RoofSmart, check out our credentials, reviews, and past projects right here on our site.
At RoofSmart, we’ve spent over a decade helping Seattle-area homeowners protect their homes with roofs built the right way. We encourage you to research us, compare us, and hold us to the highest standards—because that’s exactly what we do every day.
Ready to feel confident about your roof? Schedule your inspection today and let’s get it done right the first time.
Topics:
