How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Austin TX: 7 Questions to Ask

WDR has served Austin homeowners for over 25 years. Call (512) 820-6505 for a free estimate, we’ll answer every question on this list before you ask.

Question 1: Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured in Texas?

Texas doesn’t require a state roofing license, but roofing contractors must carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Without these, you’re financially exposed if a worker is injured on your property or if the crew causes damage to your home or a neighbor’s property.

Ask for certificates of insurance, not just verbal confirmation. A legitimate contractor will provide them immediately. Verify that the coverage is current (policies can lapse) and that the policy limits are adequate for a project of your scope.

Red flag: Any contractor who hedges on this question, claims to be “in the process of renewing,” or can’t produce a certificate within 24 hours.

Question 2: Do You Have a Physical Austin Address and Local History?

Storm chasers, out-of-state contractors who descend on Austin after major hail events, are one of the biggest risks Austin homeowners face. They often operate professionally, carry insurance, and collect substantial deposits, then either disappear before completing the work or produce results that fail within a year.

A legitimate Austin roofing contractor has a verifiable local office address, has operated continuously in Central Texas for multiple years, and has a track record of completing and standing behind local projects. Google the business name, check the address, verify it’s a real office (not a residential address or P.O. box), and look for reviews that span multiple years, not just a recent surge after a hail event.

WDR is located at 9711 Beck Circle, Austin TX 78758 and has operated continuously in Central Texas for over 25 years.

Question 3: Can You Provide References From Recent Local Projects?

References are the most direct evidence of a contractor’s actual work quality. Ask specifically for references from projects completed in the past 12 months, not just testimonials on a website. Call those references and ask:

• Did the crew show up when promised and complete on time?
• Did the final cost match the estimate?
• Were there any issues, and how did the contractor handle them?
• Would you hire them again?

A contractor with nothing to hide will provide references enthusiastically. Hesitation or inability to produce recent local references is a serious warning sign.

Question 4: What Does Your Written Estimate Include?

A professional roofing estimate is a detailed document, not a single number on a napkin or a one-line email. Before you sign anything, your written estimate should specify:

• Complete scope of work (tear-off, decking inspection, underlayment, material installation, cleanup)
• Material specifications: manufacturer name, product line, color, and warranty
• Labor costs broken out from materials
• Timeline and project schedule
• Payment terms and schedule
• Workmanship warranty terms

Vague estimates create disputes. If a contractor can’t or won’t provide this level of detail before you commit, that’s how you end up with surprise charges at the end of the job or disagreements about what was actually promised.

Question 5: What Warranties Do You Provide?

There are two distinct warranties on any roofing project: the manufacturer’s material warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty.

Manufacturer’s material warranty, covers defects in the roofing material itself. Standard architectural shingles carry warranties of 25 to 30 years. Premium warranties are available through certified contractor programs (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred). WDR is GAF Master Elite certified, which gives our customers access to enhanced manufacturer warranties not available through uncertified contractors.

Workmanship warranty, covers defects in how the roof was installed. This comes entirely from the contractor. A workmanship warranty of less than 2 years, or no workmanship warranty at all, is a red flag about how confident the contractor is in their own work.

Get both warranties in writing before the project starts.

Question 6: Do You Pull Permits?

The City of Austin requires permits for full roof replacements. A permit means the work is inspected by the City for code compliance, ventilation requirements, fastening patterns, and decking standards are all verified.

Some contractors skip permits to move faster or avoid scrutiny of their work. This creates problems for you: if you sell your home, unpermitted work shows up in disclosure and may require expensive remediation. If there’s a future insurance claim, unpermitted work can complicate coverage.

Ask specifically: “Do you pull permits for this project?” WDR handles all permitting as a standard part of every qualifying job. We coordinate directly with the City of Austin on your behalf.

Question 7: What Is Your Payment Schedule?

A standard payment schedule for a legitimate roofing contractor looks roughly like this:

• A deposit at contract signing (typically 10 to 30% of the total)
• A progress payment at material delivery or project start
• Final payment upon satisfactory completion

Any contractor asking for full payment upfront before work begins is a major red flag. This is the most common pattern in roofing fraud, collect the money, disappear, or produce substandard work knowing you can’t withhold payment.

Never pay in cash, and always get receipts. Pay by check or credit card so you have a record and dispute option.

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation Immediately

These are not minor concerns, each one represents a pattern associated with contractor fraud or work that will fail:

• Pressure to sign today, legitimate contractors don’t use manufactured urgency. Your decision timeline is yours.
• Door-to-door solicitation with out-of-state plates, common after Austin hail events
• No verifiable local address, a Google Maps listing isn’t enough
• Request for full payment upfront, the most common fraud pattern
• Inability to produce proof of insurance, non-negotiable
• No written estimate, verbal agreements are unenforceable

Why WDR

WDR is GAF Master Elite certified, carries full general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, has maintained an A+ BBB rating for over 25 years, and has a physical office at 9711 Beck Circle in Austin. We pull all required permits, provide written estimates with complete scope and warranty terms, and stand behind our work.

We serve all of Austin and surrounding communities, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Lakeway homeowners, Leander, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Pflugerville, Manor, and Hutto. Call (512) 820-6505.

For a free estimate, call (512) 820-6505 or schedule your estimate online.

Better Business Bureau, The Better Business Bureau maintains contractor ratings and complaint history, always verify a roofing company’s BBB rating before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions