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Roofing Contractors in Scottsdale: Questions to Ask First

By Scottsdale Roof Repairs · September 7, 2026 · 5 min read

The best roofers in Scottsdale answer all of these without getting defensive. The ones to avoid get vague at question one or three. Ask them in order; the license question first, because the rest do not matter if the answer is no.

License and insurance

1. What is your Arizona ROC license number?

Arizona requires anyone contracting for roofing to be licensed by the Registrar of Contractors; the roofing classification is CR-42, and general residential contractors can also hold roofing under a broader license. Take the number to azroc.gov and look it up yourself. You will see whether the license is active, the bond, and any complaints or disciplinary history. Two things to know: the license belongs to a company and a qualifying party, so check the company name matches the one on the quote, and an unlicensed contractor cannot pull a City of Scottsdale permit, which means your re-roof will not be inspected. The ROC's Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund, which can compensate homeowners for bad work, only applies when you hired a licensed contractor.

Someone who says they work "under" a friend's license, or that a license is not needed for repairs, is telling you they do not have one.

2. Can I see your insurance certificate?

General liability and workers' compensation, on a certificate issued by the insurer, naming you as certificate holder for the job. A roofer who falls off your roof without workers' comp becomes your problem. Ask for it before the job, not after.

The roof itself

3. Will you lift tile before you quote?

On a tile roof, any quote that did not involve lifting tile and looking at the underlayment is a guess. Ask them to show you the photo of the felt. If they say the whole roof needs replacing and cannot show you why, get another opinion. The inspection page covers what a real look involves.

4. Repair, relay or replace — and why?

A good contractor will tell you which one and show you the evidence, and will usually price two options. On most Scottsdale tile roofs the right answer is a relay — new underlayment under your own tile — not a new roof. A contractor who only offers full replacement on a tile roof with sound tile is either inexperienced or working on commission. Repair vs. replacement has the thresholds.

The specification

5. What underlayment, by name, and how many layers?

"Felt" is not an answer. The answer is a product — a two-layer SBS-modified system, or a specific tile-rated synthetic — with a manufacturer rating in years. Single-layer 30-pound felt is what failed on your roof to begin with; a quote that puts it back is repeating the mistake at 2026 prices.

6. Are valleys, flashings and pipe jacks new or reused?

Reusing old valley metal under new underlayment is the most common corner cut on relays here. It saves a few hundred dollars and it is invisible from the ground. Get it in writing.

7. How is tile breakage handled?

Per-tile pricing or a stated allowance. Either is fine. No mention of breakage means a change order later.

8. Who pulls the permit?

The contractor, in their name, from the City of Scottsdale (or Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, or Maricopa County). If they suggest skipping it to save money, see question one.

Approvals, logistics and paper

9. What about the HOA?

Most of Scottsdale north of Shea and all of the master-planned communities have architectural rules on roof color and material. A relay changes nothing visible and needs no approval. A new roof or a foam recoat in a different color needs a submittal. Ask who prepares it and how long the HOA takes.

10. Where will the tile be staged, and how is the house dried in overnight?

On a relay, tile is stacked on the roof or on pallets. The deck should never be left exposed overnight; a good crew only opens what it can cover before it stops. In monsoon season this matters.

11. What is the workmanship warranty, in writing?

Separate from the manufacturer's material warranty. What is covered, for how long, and what voids it. Also ask who registers the material warranty — it should be registered in your name.

12. When can you start, and what is the payment schedule?

A modest deposit for materials is normal. Full payment up front is not. Payment on completion, after you have walked the roof with them or seen the photos, is the standard.

Storm chasers, specifically

After a big monsoon event, out-of-state trucks work Grayhawk, Scottsdale Ranch and Fountain Hills door to door. Some are legitimate. The warning signs:

• No Arizona ROC number, or one that does not match the name on the truck
• "Your whole roof is totaled" before a tile has been lifted
• An assignment of benefits or contingency agreement to sign on the spot
• An offer to waive or "cover" your deductible, which is insurance fraud in Arizona
• Pressure to sign today because "the adjusters are booking up"

The storm damage page covers how a claim should actually go.

The short version

License number verified at azroc.gov, insurance certificate in hand, felt photo shown, underlayment named, flashings new, breakage stated, permit pulled, HOA handled, warranty written. Any of the roofing contractors in Scottsdale worth hiring will get through that list in ten minutes. That is what we expect of ourselves, and it is on the about page in the same words.