Choosing the wrong roofing contractor is a mistake you sometimes don’t catch until years later, when a roof leaks during the first heavy storm or warranty paperwork suddenly becomes worthless. Commercial property owners should be cautious when evaluating roofing contractor credentials, because the consequences of picking incorrectly can be staggering: structural damage, lost revenue, insurance conflict, and even disputes about responsibility.

At Silicoat Roofing, we understand those concerns. Our clients often come to us after having bad experiences elsewhere, and we take that seriously. If you want clarity, expertise, and confidence before signing a commercial roofing agreement, you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

1. Checking Licensing and Legal Compliance

Many commercial owners assume that if a contractor is operating in your state, they must already be properly licensed. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true. Some operate under residential credentials, others subcontract the work to third-party crews who don’t meet commercial compliance requirements.

With that in mind, a trustworthy roofing contractor should be able to provide:

• Their official state or local roofing license
• Their commercial roofing classification (if separate in your region)
• Proof of compliance with OSHA regulations
• Any manufacturer-specific installation certifications

For many clients, this is where the first red flag appears, because a legitimate contractor will provide documentation immediately, without hesitation.

At Silicoat Roofing, we approach this the same way every time: all licensing and compliance paperwork is shared openly with clients before contracts are signed, not buried or delayed.

Now that licensing basics are covered, the next step is verifying financial protection – because credentials are only as real as the insurance behind them.

2. Confirming Insurance and Liability Protection

Insurance isn’t a formality. It’s your financial shield. Here’s how we advise clients to verify roofing contractor insurance properly:

Make sure to ask for:

• Active liability coverage
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Coverage amount proportional to project size
• A certificate issued directly to you by the insurer

Be careful: a certificate with your name on it means you are protected, while a photocopy of a general certificate means you are not.

We’ve seen cases where property managers assumed insurance existed only to later discover it had expired or lapsed, leaving them vulnerable to claims and disputes.

Silicoat Roofing provides proof of current coverage directly from our insurer, and we encourage clients to inspect it thoroughly. It isn’t a hurdle in the relationship, it’s the actual foundation of mutual trust.

Once you know they’re licensed and insured, your next concern should be workmanship quality, which is harder to measure on paper.

3. Evaluating Track Record and Commercial Experience

Some contractors have done dozens of residential roofs but only a few commercial projects. These are vastly different types of work. A commercial roof is not “just a bigger residential roof.” It has different loading, drainage, membrane application, and thermal performance demands.

Here are real-world proof points we urge clients to request:

• Past commercial project portfolio
• Reference contacts you can speak to
• Before-and-after project documentation
• Long-term durability outcomes over several years
• Warranty performance history

We often talk with facility managers who say, “I didn’t know what questions to ask, I assumed experience was implied.” But credentials must be demonstrated, not assumed.

At Silicoat Roofing, every project record in our history can be inspected. We can show you flat roof systems that have performed through freeze-thaw cycles, industrial HVAC load stress, and high-UV exposure common to Michigan summers.

Work quality is one measure, but the people doing the work matter just as much.

4. Reviewing Training, Certifications, and Crew Qualifications

Even when a company has a good reputation, the crew onsite performs the actual installation. That crew must have training, safety knowledge, and material-specific skill.

This is where contractor due diligence becomes serious. Ask about:

• Whether the crew is in-house or subcontracted
• Manufacturer installation training
• Experience with the specific roofing material selected
• Written assurance of qualified personnel onsite

And one detail many overlook: Ask who supervises the installation each day.

For many clients, this is an eye-opening moment. They realize they never thought to ask about these curial matters.

“Every roof is only as strong as the people applying it. Training isn’t optional, it is core to our identity as a commercial roofing provider.” – Rick Dodaj, Founder of Silicoat Roofing.

With skills verified, there’s one more layer of protection: legal warranties and accountability.

5. Understanding Warranty Terms and Accountability

This is more than a document – it’s a responsibility commitment. Look closely for:

• A clear labor warranty
• Separate manufacturer material warranty
• The length of both
• Conditions and exclusions
• Cases that trigger coverage failure

The vital question to keep in mind is: “Who handles the warranty if there’s a problem?”

Some contractors push from responsibility to manufacturer, or vice versa. That leaves building owners stuck in the middle.

That’s why we aways provide clarity:

1. You contact us directly.
2. We assess the issue.
3. We coordinate any warranty fulfillment.

Now that we’ve covered technical due diligence, let’s bring it together into a real-world example so that you can see how steps are applicable, not theoretical.

How One Facility Manager Avoided a Costly Mistake

A manufacturing facility in Metro Detroit had received a proposal from a low-cost roofing contractor. Everything looked fine initially, until they attempted to provide proof of commercial insurance and couldn’t produce a full coverage certificate.

The facility manager requested our help to verify them and three issues immediately appeared:

• The contractor only held residential insurance
• Their license classification didn’t match commercial systems
• Their crew had no training in TPO membrane application

“If we hadn’t dug deeper, that roof would have failed within two winters. We dodged a disaster.” – Rick Dodaj, Founder of Silicoat Roofing.

This is exactly why due diligence matters.

So let’s consolidate everything into a final practical checklist you can actually use.

Checklist for Commercial Roof Projects

This isn’t a theoretical exercise – it’s the exact credential-verification process we use when clients ask us to evaluate different roofing proposals.

Licensing: Confirm They’re Authorized for Commercial Roofing

A surprising number of contractors operate with residential-only licensing. That can void warranties and even violate city construction regulations. Ask directly for their commercial roofing license, and if they hesitate or stall, that’s a sign to keep digging. Many facility managers tell us they assume licensing is a given, until they discover it isn’t.

Insurance: Protect Your Liability Before Work Starts

Insurance is a protective barrier for both you and the contractor. Request a certificate of insurance that lists your business name as certificate holder, issued directly by the insurer. Remember that a generic photocopy isn’t enough, and if a worker is injured on site or damage occurs, this step determines whether you or the contractor bears responsibility.

Experience: Ask for Proof of Past Commercial Work

Commercial roofing isn’t a beginner space. Residential shingles do not prepare someone for drainage slope, membrane application, load bearing equipment integration, and thermal expansion behavior. Instead of accepting “We’ve done commercial before,” request specific prior projects, ideally similar in structure to your property. Look for roofs that have survived multiple seasons, not just freshly completed installations.

Crew Qualifications: The Real Skill Lives in the Team

Some companies sell with their name, but the crew may be made of subcontractors with mixed experience levels. Ask who will be there on the roof and whether they were trained in the specific product being installed. It’s also ideal to question who oversees quality control on-site. When a contractor is proud of their team, these answers come freely.

Warranty Transparency: Understand Who Stands Behind the Work

A strong warranty shows confidence, but the clarity of that warranty shows integrity. Ask who handles claims (the manufacturer, the contractor, or both), what situations void coverage,  what happens if an issue appears five or ten years later. A good contractor will walk you through warranty scenarios in plain, human language, not fine-print technicality.

Keep this checklist nearby. Use it as a grounding tool when reviewing proposals or interviewing contractors. Even if you don’t choose Silicoat Roofing, we want you to choose someone who earns your trust through credentials, transparency, and demonstrated competence.

Common Questions About Roofing Contractor Credentials

How do I verify roofing contractor credentials?

You should always request documentation you can see, not just promises in conversation. Ask for their commercial roofing license, written proof of insurance, examples of completed commercial projects, and details about the qualifications of the crew who will be installing the roof. A reliable contractor will provide these immediately, without excuses or delays. If anything feels evasive or vague, trust that feeling and keep investigating.

What insurance coverage should a commercial roofing contractor have?

A commercial roofing team must have general liability coverage and workers’ compensation, ideally with policy limits that match the scale of your building. The insurance certificate should list your company as the certificate holder, which confirms that coverage applies to your project. Without that, a contractor injury or on-site accident could become your financial responsibility.

Why does commercial roofing require special certification?

Commercial roofing is a different discipline than residential shingle work. Flat roofing systems require expertise in drainage slope engineering, insulation, large-surface membrane welding, thermal expansion planning, and safety protocols for larger structural areas. Certification confirms that the installer has been trained to handle the complexities of commercial systems, not just smaller residential ones.

What happens if a contractor isn’t properly licensed?

Working with an unlicensed contractor can trigger a cascade of issues: invalid warranties, compliance disputes with local authorities, financial exposure if something goes wrong, and even rejected insurance claims. In many cases, if a claim is filed and the contractor wasn’t licensed appropriately, insurers may decline coverage entirely, leaving the building owner solely responsible for repairs.

How can Silicoat Roofing help me confirm a contractor’s legitimacy?

If you want an experienced industry eye on a proposal or contract, we’ll review licensing documentation, check insurance validity, evaluate their past work, and point out concerns or inconsistencies that may not be obvious. Many facility managers come to us for a second opinion before they sign – it’s one of the ways we help owners feel protected and informed rather than rushed or pressured.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Verifying roofing contractor credentials can feel intimidating, and many building owners are afraid of missing something. You don’t need to become a roofing compliance expert – you simply need the right partner.

Silicoat Roofing doesn’t just install roofs, we help you vet contractors, evaluate proposals, and ensure your project is protected from every angle.

If you want support reviewing contractor documents or getting a competitive and transparent proposal, contact us anytime. We’re here to help.

About the Author

Rick Dodaj is the founder and CEO of Silicoat Roofing, specializing in commercial roofing solutions that protect businesses and their investments. With extensive experience in commercial roofing, Rick leads a team dedicated to providing cost-effective, long-lasting roofing solutions. Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about commercial roof maintenance and protection strategies.