What to ask before you sign anything

"Can I see a job you finished five years ago?"

Recent work shows tidiness. Older work shows competence. Ask for the older one.

"What is your licence number, and who holds it?"

Then look it up. You are checking that the licence is current and that the name on it matches the name on the contract you are being asked to sign.

"What happens if the decking is rotten?"

You want a rate, not a reassurance. Some rot is likely on any older roof and the rate is the only thing that keeps that predictable.

"Who is actually doing the work?"

Ask how long this specific crew has worked together. Roofing companies keep their name and change their hands more often than most trades.

"What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?"

Ask for it in writing, in the company name, with a term. Five to ten years is common; the term matters less than whether they will still be trading.

"What underlayment, and how are the valleys done?"

This is the question that reveals whether you are comparing the same roof. Underlayment, ice-and-water placement, drip edge and valley treatment are where quotes quietly diverge.

In short

Six questions, three contractors, one afternoon. It is the cheapest insurance available on a job this size.