A new roof is one of the biggest exterior investments you’ll make on your home. The hard part isn’t the roof itself — it’s deciding who installs it.
Get that right and the roof does its job quietly for decades. Get it wrong and you’re chasing down leaks, voided warranties, and a crew that’s already three states away.
Is the contractor licensed, bonded, and insured in Illinois?
Start here. Everything else is secondary. Illinois licenses roofing contractors at the state level — a legitimate roofer hands you their license number without hesitation, and carries both general liability and workers’ comp insurance.
Where We Work
Verify a roofer’s license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), then ask for current liability and workers’ comp certificates. A real contractor produces them the same day.
Are they local — or just passing through?
There’s a real difference between a contractor rooted in the area and a crew following storms across the map. Most storm chasers have a magnet on the truck and a motel reservation — we’ve been on Arlington Heights roofs since 2007.
Most contractors order pre-formed metal and bend it to approximate your roof — we fabricate every detail in-house. The difference shows in 10 years.
What does the warranty actually cover?
Two roofers can both say “10-year warranty” and mean completely different things. Here’s how the common coverage compares:
Coverage
What it protects
Ask for it?
Material warranty
The shingles or metal (manufacturer)
Yes
Workmanship warranty
The installation (the contractor)
Always — in writing
Black Square Roofing & Exterior
Labor and materials, 10 years
Included
Questions to ask before you sign
Bring this list to every estimate. The right contractor answers all of them without flinching.
1
What's your Illinois roofing license number, and is it active?
2
Can I see your liability and workers' comp certificates?
3
Does your warranty cover labor and materials — and for how long?
4
Who does the actual work — your crew or subcontractors?
5
Can you show me recent roofs you've done nearby?
Weighing repair vs. replacement?
Green flags vs. red flags
Green flags
- Active IL license, insurance on request
- Real local address & history
- Labor and material warranty, in writing
- Owner or in-house crew on the job
Red flags
- Door-knocking right after a storm
- No license number, vague on insurance
- Out-of-state plates, no local address
- A quote far below everyone else’s
Because we meet every item on that list — and Arlington Heights is our home, not a territory. Family-owned since 2007. Owner on every project. Not a storm chaser. Not a franchise.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a roofing contractor is licensed in Illinois?
Should I hire a local roofer or a national company after a storm?
How long should a roofing warranty last, and what should it cover?
How do I find a reputable roofer near Arlington Heights?
How do I choose a roofing contractor in Illinois?
Choose a contractor who is licensed, insured, and locally established, then verify their reputation before signing. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ comp insurance, read recent local reviews, confirm manufacturer certifications, and get a detailed written estimate. Avoid anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot or asks for large upfront cash.
What questions should I ask a roofing contractor before hiring?
Ask whether they carry both liability and workers’ comp insurance, what warranty covers labor versus materials, whether they use in-house crews or subcontractors, and how they handle unexpected damage found mid-project. A reputable contractor answers all of these in writing.
Why hire a local Illinois roofing contractor?
A local contractor understands Illinois building codes, permit requirements, and the freeze-thaw weather that stresses roofs here. They’re also easier to reach for warranty and follow-up service — an out-of-town “storm chaser” often disappears once the job is done.