Updated November 2, 2026
Direct Answer
The most useful questions to ask a roofer in Maine cover insurance, scope, price, the contract and the warranty. Maine doesn’t license roofers, so ask for an insurance certificate from the agent, a written contract with dates, a first payment no larger than one-third, and a written workmanship warranty.
TL;DR
- Maine doesn’t license roofers or general home contractors, and LD 1226, the licensing bill many sites say starts in 2027, died on April 29, 2026 [4].
- Ask for an insurance certificate sent by the roofer’s agent, showing general liability and, if they have employees, workers’ compensation [6].
- A home construction contract over $3,000 must be written and signed, with dates and a first payment of no more than one-third [3].
- The 2021 IRC runs the ice barrier to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line [8].
- Portland needs no permit to re-shingle without structural changes, and Casco and Alfred aren’t required to enforce the state code [10][11][12].
- If a seller comes to you uninvited, you get 3 business days to cancel, and roof work can’t start before then [13].
One liner: In Maine, the paperwork is the vetting: an agent-sent insurance certificate, a written contract, the one-third cap and a scope you can check line by line.
Key Numbers
| Stat | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | Contract value above which Maine requires a written contract | 10 MRSA 1487 [3] |
| One-third | Most a first payment can be on that contract | 10 MRSA 1487 [3] |
| April 29, 2026 | LD 1226 died on adjournment | Maine Legislature [4] |
| Over $15,000 | Job size LD 1226 would have licensed | Maine Legislature [4] |
| 6 | States with no general home contractor oversight, Maine included | WGME I-Team [2] |
| 24 inches | Ice barrier past the exterior wall line | International Code Council [8] |
| 36 inches | Ice barrier up the slope on 8:12 and steeper roofs | International Code Council [8] |
| 4,000 residents | Town size above which the state code must be enforced | 10 MRSA 9724 [11] |
| 3,646 and 3,073 | Casco and Alfred populations, 2020 | Maine DEP census table [12] |
| 3 business days | Cancellation window for uninvited sales | Maine Attorney General [13] |
Three roofers have walked your roof. Three quotes sit on the kitchen table, and the totals are close enough that price won’t make the call for you. What you need now is the right set of questions to ask a roofer, and in Maine those questions carry more weight than in most states.
The Maine Attorney General’s office says plainly that the state does not license or regulate home contractors [1], and a 2026 WGME I-Team report counts Maine among only six states with no general contractor oversight [2]. There’s no license number to look up and no state board checking anyone’s work. That puts the vetting on you. Below are the questions to ask a roofer before hiring, set out as a 10-point checklist, followed by the Maine rules that tell you what a good answer sounds like. Whether you call a roofing contractor in Maine for a full replacement or a repair, the same checks apply.
The top 10 questions to ask a roofer
In short: Ask about insurance, track record, crew, scope, permits, deposit, contract dates, warranty, decking and references, and check each answer against the red flag beside it.
Here are the top 10 questions to ask a roofer, with what a solid answer sounds like and the reply that should make you pause. Use them as your questions to ask a roofing contractor on the first call or at the estimate visit.
| # | Question | A good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can your insurer send me your certificate of insurance? | Yes, sent from their agent, showing general liability and, if they have employees, workers’ compensation. | “We’re covered,” with no paper, or an expired certificate. |
| 2 | How long have you worked here, and where’s your office? | A local street address and years of jobs in nearby towns. | A cell number only, or a business that appeared after the last storm. |
| 3 | Who will be on my roof, and who runs the job? | A named foreman and crew, or named subcontractors with their own insurance. | “We’ll find a crew,” or nobody in charge on site. |
| 4 | What’s in the scope? | Tear-off, decking check, ice barrier at the eaves, flashing, vents and cleanup, all in writing. | A one-line quote with only a total. |
| 5 | Does my job need a permit here, and who pulls it? | A clear answer for your town, including what changes if structural work comes up. | A flat “never” or “always” without checking your town. |
| 6 | How much is the down payment? | No more than one-third of the total as the first payment, with the payment schedule in the contract [3]. | Half or more up front, or cash only. |
| 7 | Will I get a signed written contract with dates? | Yes, with an estimated start date and substantial completion date [3]. | A handshake, or “to be decided” where the dates should be. |
| 8 | What warranty covers your workmanship? | A written workmanship warranty, separate from the shingle maker’s product warranty. | “The manufacturer covers everything.” |
| 9 | What happens if you find rotted decking? | A per-sheet price in the contract and a signed change order before extra work [3]. | “We’ll figure it out when we get up there.” |
| 10 | Can I call recent customers near me? | Two or three names from the past year or two, in towns like yours. | Online reviews only, or no names at all. |
One question that most national checklists put first is missing: “What’s your license number?” The next section explains why that one doesn’t work in Maine.
Why “Are you licensed?” is the wrong first question in Maine
In short: Maine has no roofing license, and LD 1226 died on April 29, 2026 [4]. Check complaints, insurance, the contract and references instead [1].
Maine has no state license for roofers or for general home contractors, so there’s no number to ask for and nothing to look up [1]. The licensing bill that many websites still say starts on January 1, 2027, LD 1226, died when the Legislature adjourned on April 29, 2026 [4].
LD 1226 would have required a state license for residential projects over $15,000 [4]. It cleared both chambers in 2025, then stalled because the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee never funded it [2]. WGME’s I-Team reported that the idea could come back in the 2027 session [2]. Until a new law passes and takes effect, a Maine “roofing license” isn’t something any roofer can show you.
That gap matters. The Attorney General’s Consumer Mediation Program gets more complaints about contractors than about any other type of business [1]. So swap the license question for one that works here. A national checklist asks, “What’s your license number?” In Maine, ask, “Can you show me the paperwork?” Then check:
- Complaints: call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131, or file an online inquiry, to ask whether a roofer has a complaint history [1].
- Court actions: read the list of home contractors the State has sued, posted on the Attorney General’s home construction contracts page [1].
- Insurance: have the certificate sent to you by the roofer’s insurance agent.
- Contract: make sure the draft has the parts Maine law requires, covered below [3].
- References: call recent customers in your town.
Maine does license some building trades, including electricians and plumbers [5]. If your roof job includes electrical work, such as roof heat cables, ask who handles that part and for their license.
Put simply, the license question becomes “Show me the paperwork,” and a roofer worth hiring will have it ready.
Questions about insurance and the company
In short: Get the certificate from the roofer’s agent. General liability covers your property; workers’ compensation covers the crew [6].
Every roofer will say they’re insured. The question that tells you something is “Can your agent email me a certificate?” A certificate the roofer prints at your kitchen table could be last year’s. One the insurance agent sends you, naming you as certificate holder and dated for your job, shows the policy is live.
| Coverage | What it pays for | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Damage the crew causes to your house, yard or a neighbor’s property | A current certificate on every job |
| Workers’ compensation | Medical bills and lost wages if a crew member gets hurt | A current certificate if the roofer has employees; Maine requires almost all employers to carry it [6] |
The two don’t overlap. Maine’s Bureau of Insurance notes that general liability policies don’t cover injuries to employees [6]. A sole proprietor with no employees and the owners of a limited liability company (LLC) aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation for themselves [6], but anyone with a crew is. If a roofer brings in subcontractors, ask for their certificates too. The Bureau tells businesses to collect certificates from subcontractors working for them [6], and the same habit protects you.
Questions about the company itself
Then ask about the business behind the truck:
- How many years have you worked in my area, and where’s your office?
- Who runs my job day to day, and how do I reach them?
- How will you protect my gardens, siding and driveway, and how do you pick up nails?
- What happens if weather stops the job halfway?
- How long will the job take once you start?
- Has your crew been trained on the product you’re installing?
Good roofers answer these without checking notes. Years of jobs nearby and a street address you can drive to tell you the company will still be around when a warranty question comes up.
Questions about scope and materials
In short: Get tear-off, decking, ice barrier, flashing and ventilation in writing. The ice barrier minimum is 24 inches inside the wall line [8].
Two quotes with the same total can describe two different roofs. The scope is where they part ways, so ask each roofer to walk you through it line by line. On a shingle roof replacement, these questions matter most:
- Will you tear off to the deck, or lay new shingles over the old ones?
- How will you check the decking, and how do you price any sheets you replace?
- How far up the roof will the ice barrier go, and will you write that in?
- Will flashing at the chimney, walls and vents be replaced or reused?
- How is the attic vented now, and does it need more intake or exhaust?
- Is new drip edge included, and how do you handle disposal and nail cleanup?
- Does the chimney or any skylight need new flashing or replacement while the roof is open?
- Which product line are you installing, and will you follow the maker’s installation instructions and use the parts it requires for its full warranty?
The ice barrier question has a code answer. Maine’s residential code has been the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) since April 7, 2025 [7]. Section R905.1.2 runs the ice barrier from the eave to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, and at least 36 inches up the slope on roofs pitched 8:12 or steeper [8]. On a 6:12 roof with a 12-inch overhang, that works out to about 40 inches measured up the roof. Standard ice barrier rolls are 36 inches wide [9], so one row won’t reach. Ask how many rows they’ll run.
Do you need a permit?
It depends on the town. The City of Portland’s permit guide lists re-shingling a roof with no structural changes as work that doesn’t need a building permit, though historic preservation standards may still apply [10]. Once the job involves structural work, such as replacing rafters or reframing a sagging section, a permit comes into play. Ask the roofer before you sign how they’d handle that and who would pull it.
Casco (3,646 residents) and Alfred (3,073) sit under Maine’s 4,000-resident line, so state law doesn’t require either town to enforce the state building code [11][12]. In a town where no inspector climbs the ladder, your contract does that job. Maine’s required warranty language says the work will meet the building code standards for your location [3], so make sure the scope spells out those details.
Questions about price and deposit
In short: Ask for an all-in total and a per-sheet decking price. On jobs over $3,000, the first payment can’t exceed one-third [3].
A low number means little until you know what it covers. Before you compare totals, look at typical ranges for roof replacement cost in Portland so you know what a full job tends to include. Then ask each roofer:
- Is this total all in, or will anything be billed separately?
- What isn’t included?
- What’s your price per sheet of decking if you find rot?
- How long does this quote hold?
- What’s the payment schedule, and when is the last payment due?
Maine law gives you two firm answers here. For any job over $3,000, the contract has to state the total price, including all costs to do the work properly [3]. And the first payment has a ceiling: the initial down payment can be no more than one-third of the total contract price [3]. On a $15,000 roof, that’s $5,000 at most before work starts.
A roofer can only get around that cap by telling you about the right and getting your written agreement to give it up, and the Attorney General’s office is clear that you don’t have to waive it to get a contract [1]. If someone asks for half up front, ask why. Pay by check or card and keep receipts, so every payment leaves a record.
Questions about the contract and warranty
In short: A Maine contract over $3,000 needs set parts, including dates, total price, the warranty statement and written change orders [3].
A one-page quote with a signature line at the bottom isn’t the contract Maine expects. Any home construction contract over $3,000 has to be in writing and signed by you and the roofer, and you both get a copy before work starts [3]. It also has to contain these parts [3]:
| What the contract must include | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Names, addresses and phone numbers of both parties | The roofer’s full business name and a physical address |
| Location of the property | Your street address |
| Estimated start and substantial completion dates | Real dates, which can move only for reasons outside the roofer’s control, such as materials that aren’t available |
| Total contract price | One number covering all costs of doing the work properly |
| Method of payment | A schedule with a first payment no larger than one-third of the total |
| Description of the work and materials | Tear-off, ice barrier, flashing and the product line, named |
| Warranty statement | The wording set by law |
| Dispute resolution | A checkbox choice of binding arbitration, nonbinding arbitration or mediation, besides small claims |
| Change order statement | Any change in price happens only through a written change order |
| Attorney General addendum and website notice | The Attorney General’s consumer information attached, with its website and phone number |
Two warranties, plus the one the law adds
The required warranty statement is a floor. By law, the roofer warrants that the work will be free from faulty materials, built to the building code standards for your location and done in a skillful manner, with Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) remedies applying [3]. On top of that sit two warranties people often mix up: the roofer’s workmanship warranty, which covers how the roof was installed, and the manufacturer’s product warranty, which covers defects in the shingles. Ask:
- How long is your workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?
- What would void either warranty?
- Do you register the product warranty, or do I?
- Does either warranty transfer if I sell the house?
Red flags that should end the conversation
In short: An uninvited seller must give you 3 business days to cancel, and roof work can’t start before then [13].
The morning after a nor’easter, a pickup stops at the curb. The driver points at a few missing shingles, offers a price that’s good today only, and says his crew can start this afternoon. Maine law has rules for this exact moment.
When a seller comes to you uninvited, by a visit, a call or mail, Maine’s Consumer Solicitation Sales law requires a written contract that tells you about your right to cancel within 3 business days. For work that gets attached to your home, like a roof, the job can’t start until those 3 business days pass [13]. If the seller has no permanent place of business in your town, the Transient Sellers of Home Repair Services law also requires a state license, and the seller has to give you the license number at the time of sale [13]. The Attorney General’s office advises against agreeing to anything or paying during the first conversation, and treats any denial of the right to cancel as a red flag [13].
Wherever the roofer comes from, walk away if you see:
- Cash only, or a large payment before any work
- Pressure to sign today to keep a price
- No written contract, or blank dates and prices
- A request that you waive your contract rights
- No insurance certificate from an agent
- No local address you can find
How to choose a roofing contractor and find a good roofer
In short: Get referrals, call the Attorney General’s complaint line, collect two or three written estimates and compare them on one sheet [1].
Knowing how to find a good roofer comes down to a short routine, and it works best before the spring booking rush. From February to April you have time to run every check without a leak forcing your hand.
- Ask neighbors, friends and coworkers who’ve had a roof done in the past few years. The Attorney General’s office recommends referrals from trusted sources and checking references [1].
- Call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131 to ask about complaints, and scan its list of contractors the State has sued [1].
- Look the roofer up with the Better Business Bureau, which the Attorney General also points to [1].
- Get written estimates from two or three roofers who’ve seen your roof in person.
- Compare them line by line using the questions above.
- Choose the clearest written scope, not the lowest total.
Step 5 is where most of the work happens, and a simple sheet makes it quick. Fill in one column per roofer:
| Line item | Roofer 1 | Roofer 2 | Roofer 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tear-off to the deck included? | |||
| Ice barrier distance up the roof | |||
| Decking price per sheet | |||
| Flashing new or reused | |||
| Workmanship warranty length | |||
| First payment amount | |||
| Estimated start date |
If two bids land close on price, the one that answers every row in writing is the better deal. That’s how to choose a good roofing contractor in a state that leaves the vetting to you. The best bid is the one you can check line by line.
Ask us the same questions
In short: Superior Roofing offers free on-site estimates from offices in Portland, Casco and Alfred.
Superior Roofing is a locally owned roofing contractor with more than 18 years of work on homes and businesses across Cumberland and York counties. Put every question on this list to us too. Estimates are free and done on site, and you can book one through our Portland office or whichever office is closest to you:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | 525 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103 | (207) 702-7663 |
| Casco | 414 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, ME 04015 | (207) 690-4508 |
| Alfred | 330 Biddeford Rd, Alfred, ME 04002 | (207) 618-9737 |
Frequently Asked Questions
In short: Six quick answers on licensing, deposits, permits, cancellation and choosing a roofer in Maine.
What questions should I ask a roofer?
Ask about insurance, scope, price, the contract and the warranty. If you’re not sure what questions to ask a roofer, start with these: can your agent send a certificate of insurance, what’s in the scope, how much is the first payment, will I get a signed contract with dates, and what does your workmanship warranty cover?
Does Maine require roofers to be licensed?
No. The Maine Attorney General’s office says the state does not license or regulate home contractors, including roofers. A bill to license residential contractors, LD 1226, died when the Legislature adjourned on April 29, 2026. Check insurance, complaints and the written contract instead, and ask for a trade license if electricians or plumbers work on your job.
How much of a deposit can a roofer ask for in Maine?
For a home construction contract over $3,000, Maine law limits the initial down payment to no more than one-third of the total contract price. On a $15,000 roof, that’s $5,000. You can only give up that limit in writing after the contractor explains your rights, and you don’t have to.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Portland, Maine?
Usually not for re-shingling. The City of Portland lists re-shingling a roof with no structural changes as work that doesn’t need a building permit, though historic preservation standards may still apply. If the job involves structural work, such as replacing rafters or reframing, ask your roofer about the permit before you sign.
Can I cancel a roofing contract in Maine?
If the roofer came to you uninvited, by a visit, a call or mail, Maine law gives you the right to cancel within 3 business days, and work on your home can’t start until that period ends. If you invited the roofer, read the contract’s own cancellation terms before you sign.
How do I choose a roofing contractor in Maine?
Get names from people you trust, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131 about complaints, and ask for an insurance certificate sent by the roofer’s agent. Then get written estimates from two or three roofers and compare them line by line. Pick the clearest written scope, not the lowest total.
Definition Bank
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Certificate of insurance | A one-page proof of a business’s insurance, best sent to you by the roofer’s insurance agent. |
| General liability insurance | Coverage for damage the crew causes to your house, yard or a neighbor’s property. |
| Workers’ compensation | Coverage for medical bills and lost wages if a crew member gets hurt on the job. |
| Ice barrier | A self-adhering membrane laid at the eaves to stop water backed up by ice dams from leaking in. |
| Decking | The plywood or board sheathing the roofing is fastened to. |
| Flashing | Metal pieces that seal joints at chimneys, walls, vents and valleys. |
| Tear-off | Removing the old roofing down to the deck before the new roof goes on. |
| Down payment | The first payment on a contract; in Maine, no more than one-third on jobs over $3,000. |
| Change order | A written, signed change to the contract when work or price changes. |
| Workmanship warranty | The roofer’s own promise covering how the roof was installed. |
| Manufacturer warranty | The product maker’s promise covering defects in the shingles or other materials. |
| Transient seller | A door-to-door home repair seller with no permanent place of business in your town; Maine requires a license. |
Quick Facts
LD 1226
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Would have required | A state license for residential projects over $15,000 [4] |
| Status | Died on adjournment, April 29, 2026 [4] |
| Could return | In the 2027 legislative session, per WGME [2] |
Maine Home Construction Contracts Act (10 MRSA 1487)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Home construction contracts over $3,000 [3] |
| Down payment cap | One-third of the total contract price [3] |
| Must include | Dates, total price, warranty statement, dispute options, change order statement and the Attorney General addendum [3] |
Ice barrier rule, 2021 IRC R905.1.2
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Eave to 24 inches inside the exterior wall line [8] |
| Steep roofs | Also 36 inches up the slope at 8:12 and steeper [8] |
| In force in Maine | Since April 7, 2025 [7] |
Maine Consumer Solicitation Sales law
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Covers | Uninvited visits, calls and mail [13] |
| Right to cancel | 3 business days [13] |
| Work on your home | Can’t start until the cancellation window ends [13] |
Superior Roofing
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices | Portland, Casco and Alfred |
| Estimates | Free, on site |
| Experience | More than 18 years |
Sources
- Maine Attorney General, Home Construction Contracts. https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer-protection/consumer-help-topics/housing/home-construction-contracts
- WGME I-Team, Home contractor regulation bill dies in Augusta once again after funding falls short (April 16, 2026). https://fox23maine.com/news/i-team/home-contractor-regulation-bill-dies-in-augusta-once-again-after-funding-falls-short
- Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, Section 1487, Home construction contracts. https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec1487.pdf
- Maine Legislature, LD 1226 (HP 801), An Act to Protect Consumers by Licensing Residential Building Contractors, 132nd Legislature. https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=HP0801&PID=1456
- Maine Attorney General, Home Construction and Repair: Home Construction Warning. https://maine.gov/ag/consumer/housing/home_construction.shtml
- Maine Bureau of Insurance, An Employer’s Guide to Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Maine. https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/workers_comp_employer_guide.pdf
- Maine Governor’s Energy Office, Building and Energy Codes (codes in effect as of April 7, 2025). https://www.maine.gov/energy/initiatives/energy-efficiency/building-codes
- International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies, Section R905.1.2. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2/chapter-9-roof-assemblies
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Materials Release 1056h, Grace Ice and Water Shield. https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/1056h.pdf
- City of Portland Permitting and Inspections Department, Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions (rev. December 1, 2025). https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/27a37d0e-5c83-430a-992b-f1941fd2f302
- Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, Section 9724, Application (Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code). https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec9724.html
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine City and Town Census Data 2010 and 2020. https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/SRF/2022/Maine%20City-Town%20Census%20Data%202010%20&%202020.pdf
- Maine Attorney General, Door-to-Door Sales. https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer-protection/consumer-help-topics/purchasing-goods-or-services/door-to-door-sales