Choosing a roofing contractor is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a homeowner. A roof replacement or repair is a significant investment — and the quality of the contractor you hire matters just as much as the materials they use. A great roof installed poorly will fail. A mediocre material installed by a skilled crew will outlast almost anything.
In Asheville, the stakes are a little higher than in most markets. We have a booming housing market that attracts out-of-town contractors looking to cash in, especially after storms. We have older homes with complex rooflines that require real skill to work on. And we have a mountain climate that punishes any shortcuts in materials or installation.
At Drew Renovation, we've been roofing in Asheville and Western North Carolina for over 10 years. We've seen what happens when homeowners hire the wrong contractor — and we've spent years fixing those mistakes. This guide will walk you through exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and what red flags to watch out for before you sign anything.
Here's how to choose a roofing contractor in Asheville, NC.
1. Verify They Are Licensed in North Carolina
This is the first box to check — and it's non-negotiable. North Carolina requires roofing contractors to be licensed through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors for jobs valued over $30,000. Most full roof replacements in Asheville cross that threshold, which means the contractor you hire should be licensed.
You can verify a contractor's license yourself at nclbgc.org. Just search by company name or license number. It takes about 30 seconds and tells you whether the license is active, what classifications they hold, and if there have been any disciplinary actions.
An unlicensed contractor isn't just a legal risk — it's a sign they either don't meet the requirements or don't think the rules apply to them. Neither is someone you want on your roof.
2. Confirm They Carry the Right Insurance
Every roofing contractor you consider should carry two types of insurance — general liability and workers' compensation. Both matter, and here's why:
- General liability insurance: Covers damage to your property if something goes wrong during the job — a ladder through a window, debris damaging your car, or an improperly installed flashing that causes a leak down the road.
- Workers' compensation: Covers the crew if someone is injured on your property. Without it, you could be held liable for a worker's medical bills if they're hurt on your roof.
Don't just take their word for it — ask for a certificate of insurance and verify that it's current. A reputable contractor will have this ready without hesitation. If they hesitate, push back, or offer excuses, move on.
At Drew Renovation, we carry full general liability and workers' compensation coverage on every job. We'll provide proof of insurance before any work begins — no questions asked.
3. Look for Real Local Experience
There's a meaningful difference between a contractor who has been roofing in Asheville for 10 years and one who drove in from another state after a hailstorm. Local experience matters for several reasons:
- They know the climate: Asheville's mountain weather — heavy rain, ice, high winds, steep pitches — requires specific knowledge about materials and installation techniques that work here.
- They know the codes: Local building codes and permit requirements in Buncombe County and the City of Asheville have specific requirements. A contractor who doesn't know them will cause delays and potentially create problems when you sell your home.
- They have local accountability: A local contractor has a reputation to protect. They live and work in this community. Out-of-town contractors can take your money and disappear — a local one can't.
- They understand local homes: Many Asheville homes — especially in neighborhoods like Montford, West Asheville, and Kenilworth — have unique rooflines, older structures, and architectural details that require experience to work on properly.
4. Read Reviews — But Read Them the Right Way
Online reviews are one of the best tools you have, but they're only useful if you read them critically. Here's what to look for:
- Volume and recency: A contractor with 200 reviews over 10 years is more trustworthy than one with 20 reviews posted last month. Look for a consistent track record over time.
- Specificity: Good reviews mention specific crew members, describe the job, or talk about how the contractor handled a problem. Generic five-star reviews with no detail are less meaningful.
- How they handle negatives: Almost every contractor has at least one negative review. What matters is how they responded. A professional, solution-focused response shows character. A defensive or dismissive response is a red flag.
- Ask for local references: Any reputable Asheville roofing contractor should be able to give you the names and phone numbers of recent local customers who are willing to talk. Take them up on it.
5. Get Itemized Written Estimates — and Compare Them Carefully
You should get at least two or three estimates before choosing a roofing contractor. But getting multiple estimates is only useful if you know how to compare them. Here's what a good estimate should include:
- The specific roofing material — manufacturer, product line, and shingle grade or metal gauge
- The exact square footage of the roof and the number of squares being replaced
- Labor costs broken out separately from materials
- Tear-off and disposal of the old roof
- Any anticipated additional costs such as decking repairs or flashing replacement
- Permit costs
- Warranty details — both material and workmanship
If an estimate is missing any of these, ask for them. A contractor who can't or won't provide this level of detail is either inexperienced or has something to hide.
One more thing: the lowest estimate is not always the best deal. A significantly lower bid usually means something is being cut — cheaper materials, less experienced labor, skipped steps, or a contractor who plans to add charges after the job starts. Compare estimates on an apples-to-apples basis and make sure you're looking at the same scope of work.
6. Make Sure They Pull the Permit
Roof replacement in Asheville requires a building permit. This isn't optional, and it isn't just a formality. The permit process exists to make sure your new roof meets current building codes — which matters for your safety, your homeowners insurance, and your ability to sell your home in the future.
A reputable contractor will pull the permit on your behalf as part of the project. The cost is typically included in or added to the estimate. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to save time or money — walk away immediately. That's a contractor who is either cutting corners or doesn't know what they're doing, and either one is a serious problem.
Unpermitted work can void your homeowners insurance coverage, cause problems during a home inspection if you sell, and potentially require expensive remediation down the road. It's never worth it.
7. Understand What the Warranty Actually Covers
A roofing warranty sounds reassuring — but warranties vary significantly from contractor to contractor, and understanding what yours actually covers is important before you sign anything.
There are two separate warranties to understand:
- Manufacturer's material warranty: This covers defects in the roofing materials themselves — shingles that fail prematurely, metal that corrodes under normal conditions, etc. The length varies by product. Our base shingles carry a standard manufacturer's warranty; our high-end shingles carry a 50-year manufacturer's warranty.
- Workmanship warranty: This covers the contractor's installation. If a leak develops because of how the roof was installed — improper flashing, missed nail patterns, poor sealing around penetrations — the workmanship warranty covers it. This is the one that varies most between contractors.
At Drew Renovation, we back all of our metal roof installations with a 15-year workmanship warranty — one of the strongest offered by any roofing contractor in Asheville. We stand behind our work, and our warranty reflects that. Ask any contractor you're considering for their workmanship warranty in writing before you agree to anything.
Red Flags vs. Green Flags: A Quick Reference
When you're talking to roofing contractors in Asheville, keep this table handy:
A Note About Storm Chasers in Asheville
After any significant storm, Asheville sees an influx of out-of-town contractors — commonly called storm chasers — who go door to door offering free inspections and quick estimates. Some are legitimate. Many are not.
Storm chasers are experienced at identifying storm damage and helping homeowners file insurance claims — but their business model depends on volume, not quality. They move from market to market after severe weather events, which means they won't be around if you have a problem with your roof six months after they've left town.
If you've had storm damage, by all means get an inspection and file a claim if the damage warrants it. But choose a local Asheville roofing contractor for the actual work — someone who will be here when you need them.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Asheville
Here's a short list of questions worth asking every contractor you consider:
- Are you licensed in North Carolina? What is your license number?
- Can you provide a certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation?
- How long have you been working in Asheville specifically?
- Can you provide references from recent Asheville jobs?
- Will you pull the permit, and is that included in the estimate?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover and for how long?
- What happens if you find rotted decking once the old roof is removed?
- Who exactly will be doing the work — your own crew or subcontractors?
A reputable roofing contractor will answer every one of these questions directly and without hesitation. If you get evasive answers, vague responses, or pushback on basic questions — that's your answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many estimates should I get for a roof replacement in Asheville?
We recommend getting at least two or three estimates. This gives you a baseline for what the job should cost and helps you compare materials, scope, and contractor quality. Be cautious of any estimate that is significantly lower than the others — it usually means something is being left out or cut.
Should I choose a local contractor or a national roofing company?
For most Asheville homeowners, a local contractor is the better choice. Local contractors know the climate, the building codes, and the specific challenges of roofing in the mountains. They also have a reputation to protect in the community they live and work in. National companies can do quality work, but you're often dealing with a franchise or subcontracted crew rather than the people whose name is on the truck.
What should I do if a contractor knocks on my door after a storm?
Be cautious. It's fine to have them inspect your roof — storm damage is real and worth documenting — but don't sign anything on the spot and don't agree to let them file an insurance claim on your behalf until you've had a chance to research the company. Always verify licensing, insurance, and local references before committing to any contractor, storm chaser or otherwise.
How do I know if I need a repair or a full replacement?
An honest roofing contractor will tell you the truth — and the truth is that not every roof problem requires a full replacement. If your roof is less than 15 years old and the damage is isolated, a repair may be all you need. If your roof is 20 years old or older, has widespread damage, or has had repeated issues, replacement is often the smarter long-term investment. At Drew Renovation, we'll always tell you which option makes sense for your specific situation — not the one that makes us more money.
Why Asheville Homeowners Choose Drew Renovation
We check every box on this list. We're fully licensed in North Carolina, carry comprehensive insurance, and have been roofing in Asheville for over 10 years. Every estimate we provide is written, itemized, and transparent — no hidden costs, no pressure tactics, no surprises.
We pull permits on every job, use quality materials suited to Asheville's climate, and back our metal installations with a 15-year workmanship warranty. Our crew is local, our reviews are real, and our references are available.
If you're looking for a roofing contractor in Asheville, NC that you can trust with your home, we'd like to earn that trust. Start with a free estimate — no obligation, no pressure, just a straight conversation about what your roof needs.
Contact Drew Renovation today at (828) 774-6941 or visit drewrenovation.com to schedule your free estimate.