Proof of insurance
Ask to see a current certificate of general liability and workers' compensation insurance - not just hear that they have it.
Homeowner's Guide
How to Tell If a Roofing Company Is Legit
A legitimate roofing company can show you proof of insurance, has a real local presence you can verify, and will put your scope of work and price in writing before any work begins. If a roofer avoids those three things, or pressures you to sign on the spot, that is reason enough to keep looking. Here is what to check before you hire anyone to work on your roof.
The 8-point legitimacy checklist.
A real local address
A physical business address you can find and visit, not just a PO box or a phone number.
Reviews in more than one place
Check Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau, not just the testimonials shown on their own website.
References you can call
A reputable company can put you in touch with recent local customers willing to talk about their experience.
A written estimate first
Scope of work, materials, and total cost should be on paper before you commit to anything.
A clear, detailed contract
Payment schedule, timeline, and warranty terms spelled out in writing, not verbal promises.
No demand for full payment upfront
A standard deposit is normal. Being asked to pay in full before work starts is not.
No pressure to sign today
A legitimate roofer gives you time to think it over, compare options, and ask questions.
Licensing and insurance: what "legit" actually means in Kentucky.
Kentucky does not currently require a statewide license to work as a roofing contractor, which is different from most of the advice you will find online. It also does not license roofing contractors at the state level the way it licenses electricians or plumbers.
While your roofer may not have a license, ask to see proof of general liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage. And ultimately, it’s good to use common sense: if you have someone knocking at your door pressuring you to sign a contract that’s a big red flag.
Blue Haven Roofing is a new kind of roofing company that offers free online estimates and a no-pressure digital process that makes getting a new roof an easy, transparent process.
Watch for storm-chaser red flags.
After a hailstorm or a bad windstorm, roofing scams spike right along with the legitimate repair calls.
- Door-to-door crews with out-of-state license plates who showed up right after a storm, offering a "free inspection"
- Pressure to sign a contract on the spot, before you have gotten a second opinion
- A demand for full payment, or an unusually large deposit, before any work begins
- An offer to pay, waive, or rebate your insurance deductible - this is illegal in Kentucky under KRS 367.628, and a common bait tactic
- Vague or missing paperwork once you ask for anything in writing
What to put in writing, and what to ask.
What should be in writing
- Full scope of work and materials to be used
- Total price and payment schedule
- Start date and estimated completion timeline
- Warranty terms - both workmanship and manufacturer
- How change orders are handled if unexpected damage is found
Questions to ask before you hire
- How long have you worked in this area, and can I see recent local jobs?
- Can you send me proof of insurance directly, not just tell me about it?
- What happens if you find additional damage once work starts?
- Who do I call if something goes wrong after the job is done?
- Is this a not-to-exceed price, or can the cost change later?
How Blue Haven Roofing checks these boxes.
Clear pricing, in writing
Every scope of work and price is outlined before work begins, and any unforeseen costs need your approval before we proceed.
See our guaranteeNo door-to-door sales
You manage your project from home, on your own timeline - no pushy sales visits, no pressure to sign on the spot.
See our processWe audit insurance claims
If you are going through insurance, we review your claim for payment errors or omissions before you sign anything.
See how claims workLegit-roofer questions, answered plainly.
No. Kentucky does not currently license roofing contractors at the state level, though a bill to change that (House Bill 150) was introduced in early 2026. Even without a state license, contractors are still required to carry insurance and follow Kentucky's roofing consumer-protection law.
Ask the company to send you a certificate of insurance directly, or have your own insurance agent verify it. A legitimate contractor will not hesitate.
No. Under Kentucky law (KRS 367.628), a roofing contractor cannot offer to pay, waive, or rebate any part of your insurance deductible as a way to win your business. If a contractor offers this, treat it as a red flag.
A storm chaser is a roofing crew that travels from storm to storm, often from out of state, going door-to-door right after severe weather. Avoid signing anything on the spot - a legitimate local roofer will still be there next month if something goes wrong.
Get an instant estimate from a local, verifiable roofer.
No door-to-door sales, no pressure. Just a clear price from a local Lexington business.