10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Utah

(Don’t Get Roofed Over – Utah-Specific Red Flags & Must-Ask Questions)

🏔️ Why Utah Roofing is Different

• Extreme Weather: Hail, heavy snow loads (60+ lbs/sq ft in mountains), and UV damage
• Material Challenges: Asphalt shingles age 30% faster in Utah’s high-altitude sun
• Scam Alert: Utah sees 2X more roofing fraud than the national average (BBB 2024)

Ask these questions to avoid:
❌ Storm chasers who disappear after deposits
❌ Subpar materials that can’t handle Utah winters
❌ Voided warranties due to improper installation

🔍 The 10 Must-Ask Questions (+ What Answers to Expect)

1. “Are you licensed and insured specifically for Utah roofing work?”

✅ Requires:

• Utah Contractor License (Check DOPL)
• Workers’ Comp + General Liability Insurance ($1M+ coverage)
  🚩 Red Flag: “We’re based in Texas but work nationwide” (common post-hail storm scam)

2. “How many roofs have you installed in my area?”

✅ Ideal Answer:

• 50+ roofs in your specific city (Park City ≠ St. George needs)
• Examples of homes with similar slopes/materials

3. “Will you handle permits and meet Utah’s snow load codes?”

✅ Key Info:

• Permits required for re-roofing in most Utah cities
• Snow load minimums: 30-100 lbs/sq ft (varies by county)
  🚩 Red Flag: “Permits aren’t needed for residential work”

4. “What materials do you recommend for my Utah climate?”

5. “Can you provide 3 local references from past 6 months?”

✅ Verify By Asking References:

• “Did they clean up nails/debris daily?”
• “How did they handle unexpected plywood rot?”

6. “What’s your process for protecting my property?”

✅ Should Include:

• Magnetic nail sweepers
• Tarps over landscaping
• Dumpster placement plan
  

7. “Do you offer a workmanship warranty?”

✅ Utah Standard:

• 5+ years on labor
• Transferable if you sell your home

8. “Who will supervise the crew?”

🚩 Red Flag: “We subcontract to traveling crews”
✅ Ideal: On-site foreman with 5+ years Utah experience

9. “How do you handle Utah’s unpredictable weather delays?”

✅ Look For:

• Written policy in contract
• Communication plan (text alerts for schedule changes)

10. “What’s NOT included in your quote?”

🚩 Hidden Costs to Clarify:

• Plywood replacement ($95/sheet avg in Utah)
• Ice/water shield upgrades (critical for northern Utah)
• Dumpster fees

🚨 3 Utah-Specific Roofing Scams

1. “Free Roof” Storm Chasers
   • After hail storms, they pocket insurance $ then disappear
2. “Material Upgrade” Upsells
   • Pushing unnecessary “premium” shingles in mild climates
3. “We Have Leftover Materials”
   • Often stolen or defective good. 

📞 Need a Vetted Utah Roofer?

We verify:
✅ Active Utah licenses
✅ Local references
✅ Proper insurance

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