How to Verify a Roofing Contractor Is Licensed and Insured in Shelby Township

Starting Your Contractor Verification

Many homeowners worry about hiring a contractor without a clear way to confirm licenses and insurance. Use these field-tested steps to confirm a contractor's license and insurance before any work starts.

Start with the basics: a legitimate contractor will provide a business license, a contractor license number if required, and proof of insurance without evasiveness. Any reluctance to produce documents on request is a legitimate reason to pause the hiring process.

Confirming Contractor Credentials

Shelby Township requires building permits for many roofing projects, and permit records are one way to confirm a contractor's name and license history. A quick call or online search at the Shelby Township building department can show whether the contractor has pulled permits under their business name.

Ask to see a certificate of insurance that names at least two coverages: general liability and workers compensation. The certificate should list policy numbers, effective dates, and a named insured that matches the contractor's business name.

If subcontractors will do the work, verify that each subcontractor is covered, or that the main contractor has a policy that covers subcontractor actions. A refusal to document subcontractor coverage should be treated as a deal breaker, unless the contractor can provide proof that their policy covers all workers on site.

Verifying Contractor Licenses

Do not accept a paper certificate as the only check, call the insurance company to confirm coverage is current. Use the insurer contact information and policy numbers on the certificate to confirm effective dates and covered work types.

Confirm the contractor's license status through Michigan's licensing resources when applicable. When a specific state license is absent for roofing, check local registrations, My Quality Windows, Roofing, Siding & More of Shelby Twp trade association listings, and prior customer reviews.

Securing References and Written Agreements

Request recent references from jobs in Shelby Township or nearby communities and call at least two to ask concrete questions. When you call references, ask whether permits were pulled, whether the crew cleaned up daily, and how the contractor responded to any follow-up issues.

Before any work begins require a written contract that lists the scope, payment terms, materials and their warranties, and the contractor's license and insurance details. Do not sign vague paperwork or hand over substantial deposits without a full contract.

Ask for a written workmanship warranty, find out how long it lasts, and if it transfers with a home sale. A new roof typically involves a manufacturer warranty for materials plus a separate installer warranty, so require both in writing.

If the contractor is suggesting you skip permits to save money or time, stop the conversation and walk away. Skipping permits can nullify insurance claims and make future resale problematic.

Document everything — written estimates, permits, insurance documents, change orders, and the final paid invoice — and store them where they are easy to find.

An experienced company can confirm the cause with a quick inspection.

If something still feels off, contact your homeowners insurance agent or the Shelby Township building department for advice. If a contractor's proof does not check out when you call their insurer or the license lookup, do not move forward until issues are resolved.

Your last pre-signing steps should be: require permits, demand a detailed contract, verify insurance with a phone call, contact local references, and get a written installer warranty.

A careful verification process reduces the chance of financial exposure, uninsured claims, and permit headaches later.