1. Verify insurance and local presence
- Ask for a certificate of insurance sent by the insurer, showing general liability and workers' compensation. Confirm it is current and covers roofing work.
- Ask for a local shop or office address you can visit, and how long the business has operated in the Panhandle. A post-office box and a mobile number alone are not local presence.
- Ask for two or three recent local references with addresses in Amarillo or Canyon, and actually call one.
2. Get three written, like-for-like quotes
A quote you can compare lists: product name and tier, underlayment, flashing scope, ventilation changes, decking replacement price per sheet, permit, disposal, start window, payment schedule, and both warranties. If one quote is far lower, find what it left out — reused flashing, no permit, thinner underlayment, and vague product names are the usual omissions.
| Compare this | Why |
|---|---|
| Shingle / metal product + warranty tier | 'Architectural shingle' spans several quality levels. The product name pins it down. |
| Workmanship warranty length + who honours it | Manufacturer warranties cover materials; workmanship warranties cover installation errors. You need both, in writing. |
| Payment schedule | A large up-front deposit before materials arrive is a red flag. Progress payments tied to delivery and completion are normal. |
| Cleanup standard | Magnetic nail sweep, gutter cleaning, and landscape protection should be stated, not assumed. |
3. Questions to ask before you sign
- Who pulls the City of Amarillo permit, and is its fee included?
- Will all flashing be replaced, or reused? Which penetrations are included?
- What ventilation changes are you making, and why?
- What is the per-sheet price if decking needs replacement, and who decides?
- What exactly does each warranty cover, for how long, and is it transferable if I sell?
- What happens if it rains mid-tear-off — how is the roof dried in overnight?
- For hail work: what is my deductible, and what happens if the claim is denied or pays less than the quote?
4. Red flags
- Pressure to sign at the door, especially a contingency or assignment form you have not read.
- Claims of a licence that Texas does not issue for roofers, or 'insurance approved' pricing before an adjuster has seen the roof.
- Cash-only pricing, no written scope, or refusal to provide insurance documentation.
- A price that requires an immediate decision to hold. A real quote has a written validity period.
The simplest test: if a roofer will not put the product, the scope, the warranties, and the total price in writing — with a copy for you — walk away, however friendly the visit was.
Before you decide
General information only, not professional advice. This site covers topics that touch insurance claims, deductibles, contracts and assignment forms, permits, and roof safety. Nothing here is legal, insurance, engineering, or financial advice, and cost figures are published planning ranges, not quotes. Your policy, your contract, and your roof decide what applies to you.
Talk to a licensed local professional before you decide. Texas does not issue a statewide roofing licence, so for the roof itself that means an insured local roofer who pulls the City of Amarillo permit; for claim and deductible questions, your licensed insurance agent or adjuster; and for anything you are asked to sign, a licensed attorney.