Why the Right Questions Matter Here
A roof replacement is rarely a small purchase. In the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area, a typical asphalt shingle re-roof commonly runs somewhere in the low-to-mid five figures, and premium metal systems can run higher. Spend that kind of money once, and you want it done right the first time.
Our Inland Northwest climate makes the stakes even higher. Heavy snow loads, ice dams, freeze-thaw cycles, and summer hail all punish a roof in ways that a contractor from a milder region may not fully plan for. A roof installed by someone who doesn't understand ice-and-water shield placement or proper attic ventilation can fail years before it should.
The good news: you can spot a trustworthy roofer with a handful of pointed questions. Below are the 12 we'd ask if we were the homeowner sitting across the table.
1-3: Licensing, Insurance & Local Track Record
1. Are you licensed in my state? Washington and Idaho have different requirements, and many homes near the border need work in both. Ask for the contractor's registration number and verify it through the Washington L&I "Verify a Contractor" tool or the Idaho Contractors Board. A legitimate roofer will hand this over without hesitation.
2. Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance? If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you could be on the hook. Ask for a current certificate of insurance, and don't accept "we're covered" as an answer. DG Contracting is fully licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho.
3. How long have you worked in this specific area? A company rooted locally has a reputation to protect and will still be here for warranty calls. Storm-chasing crews often roll into town after a hail event, do volume work, and disappear. We've been a family-owned business in Colbert since 2013.
4-6: Manufacturer Certification & Warranties
4. Are you a manufacturer-certified installer? Shingle makers like GAF certify only a small share of contractors after vetting their licensing, insurance, and reputation. GAF Master Elite status, for example, is held by roughly the top 2-3% of roofers nationwide. That certification also unlocks the strongest warranties.
5. What warranty comes with the work, and is it transferable? There are two warranties to understand: the manufacturer's coverage on materials, and the contractor's workmanship warranty on the labor. Ask how long each lasts. As a GAF Master Elite contractor, we can offer the GAF Golden Pledge warranty (up to 25 or 50 years depending on the system) plus our own 15-25 year workmanship warranty.
6. Who handles warranty claims if there's a problem in five years? A warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Make sure the contractor, not just the manufacturer, will be reachable. See our roof replacement page for how our coverage works.
7-9: The Estimate, the Crew & the Materials
7. Is the estimate detailed and in writing? A good proposal itemizes tear-off, underlayment, ice-and-water shield, flashing, ventilation, the specific shingle line and color, and cleanup. Vague one-line quotes invite surprise charges. Free, written estimates should be standard.
8. Will you use your own crew or subcontractors? Either can work, but you deserve to know. If subs are used, confirm they're insured and that someone from the company supervises the job daily.
9. What's your plan for ventilation and ice dam protection? This is the local litmus test. A knowledgeable roofer should talk about balanced intake-and-exhaust ventilation and extending ice-and-water shield at the eaves to combat the ice dams common on Inland Northwest homes. If they shrug at this question, keep shopping.
10-12: Timeline, Cleanup & Payment
10. What's the timeline, and what happens if weather delays it? Most residential re-roofs take one to a few days, but our shoulder seasons bring rain and snow. Ask how the crew protects an open roof if work has to pause.
11. How do you protect my property and handle cleanup? Look for answers about tarping landscaping, protecting siding and windows, and running a magnetic roller to collect stray nails. A clean jobsite is a sign of a disciplined crew.
12. What's the payment schedule? Be wary of any contractor demanding full payment up front. A reasonable deposit with the balance due on completion is normal. Ask whether financing is available if you need to spread the cost; we offer flexible financing options for larger projects.
Red Flags to Watch For
Beyond the questions above, a few warning signs should make you pause:
- Door-to-door pressure after a storm. Legitimate roofers rarely need to chase work this way, and high-pressure deadlines ("sign today or lose the price") are a classic tactic.
- No physical local address. A P.O. box or out-of-state plates suggest a crew that won't be around for warranty calls.
- Cash-only or large up-front deposits. This often points to a lack of established credit and financial stability.
- No proof of insurance or license. If they can't or won't produce documents, walk away.
- "We'll waive your deductible." On insurance jobs, this is illegal in most cases and a sign of fraud.
How DG Contracting Answers These Questions
We built our business around exactly the answers homeowners are looking for. DG Contracting is a family-owned company founded in 2013 and based in Colbert, Washington. We're licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho, hold GAF Master Elite certification, and carry a 5.0-star rating across roughly 288 Google reviews.
Every project comes with a detailed written estimate, a 15-25 year workmanship warranty, and eligibility for the GAF Golden Pledge manufacturer warranty. We also include up to a 15-25 year workmanship warranty with a roof replacement, offer flexible financing, and serve Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d'Alene, and North Idaho. Whether you're considering asphalt shingles or metal roofing, we're happy to walk you through every one of the questions above.
Ready to compare? Request your free estimate and put our answers up against anyone else's.