If you’re hiring a contractor for roofing, siding, decks, basements, or any home project — this guide tells you exactly what to check, what to demand, and what to avoid. Use it as your personal checklist to protect your home, money, and peace of mind.

âś… What to Look For Before You Hire

1. Valid License & Registration

  • For roofing (or other regulated trades) in Illinois, the contractor should be legally licensed. That protects you and ensures the contractor is held to state standards. (Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 2024)
  • The contractor should also be registered with the local municipality if required (village or city). Many municipalities mandate local contractor registration for permit issuance.

2. Proof of Insurance & Bonding

  • General liability insurance and, where relevant, workers’ compensation coverage.
  • A certificate of insurance naming your city/village as the certificate holder (some municipalities require this for issuing permits).
  • Bonding (if required), especially for major structural work, additions, or multi-story work.

3. Written Contract with Details (Materials, Scope, Timeline, Payment Structure)

Make sure the contract includes:

  • Exact scope of work (materials, specs, permits, disposal of waste)
  • Permitting responsibility (who pulls the permits)
  • Timeline (start date, projected end date, contingency for delays)
  • Payment schedule (especially avoid large upfront lump sums)
  • Warranty or workmanship guarantee (on labor, not just materials)
  • Clean-up and protection clauses (yard, landscape, nails, debris)

4. Permit & Inspection Compliance

  • Contractor agrees to pull all required permits — for roofing, siding, decks, basement work, etc.
  • Contractor agrees to coordinate inspections and correct any issues flagged by inspectors.
  • Contractor provides proof of final inspection / certificate of completion.

5. Local Experience & Reputation

  • Contractor has worked in your city or municipality before (familiar with local code, inspectors, permit process).
  • Verified local references or reviews (neighbors, prior customers in your area).
  • Real business address, not just a P.O. box or out-of-state “storm-chaser” setup.

6. Transparency & Communication

  • Clear, upfront explanation of materials, options, risks.
  • No pressure to sign quickly or commit before you review permits or paperwork.
  • Willingness to answer homeowner questions, show credentials, and provide written documentation.

7. Proper Safety, Installation, and Building Practices

Even beyond what code requires, demand best practices:

  • Full tear-off (when needed), not overlay when old materials degraded
  • Proper underlayment, flashing, ventilation (for roofs), drainage, moisture barrier (for siding/basements)
  • Structural supports, hardware, fasteners, ledger and beam attachments, frost-depth footings (for decks)
  • Cleanup — nails, debris, magnet sweep, yard protection

8. Written Warranty & Post-Job Walkthrough

  • Warranty on workmanship, not just materials (many problems come from poor installation).
  • A final walkthrough post-job: inspect roof/shingles, siding/wrap, deck stability, drainage, attic/crawlspace, clean-up — before final payment.

⚠ Red Flags — When to Walk Away or Ask More Questions


Warning Sign



What It Means / Risk



Unlicensed / unregistered contractor



Might be illegal — puts you at legal, insurance, and safety risk



Asks for large upfront payment (50%+ before work starts)



Cash-out scam — if they disappear, you’re stuck



No proof of insurance or refuses to show certificate



Risk of liability if someone gets hurt or property damaged



Pressure to “skip permits” to save money or time



Code violations, failed inspection, possible penalties



Offers suspiciously low bids vs competitors



Likely cutting corners on materials, labor, permits



No local address, phone, or real reviews



Storm chaser or fly-by-night operation — no accountability



Refuses written contract or keeps changing scope constantly



High risk of disputes, cost overruns, unfinished work


If you see any of these, pause. Verify license, ask for documentation, get a second opinion or another estimate.

⸻

Why This Matters — The Legal & Safety Stakes

• In Illinois, some trades (like roofing) legally require licensing. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can void insurance claims if defects later cause damage. (Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 2024)

• Permits and inspections protect you from structural failures, code violations, safety hazards (fire, water intrusion, faulty electrical or plumbing).

• A good, licensed, and reputable contractor increases your home’s long-term value, avoids future surprise costs, and reduces liability if you sell later.

• Poor installation — even with high-end materials, often causes the biggest problems (leaks, rot, ice dams, structure failure). Workmanship matters.



Sample Contractor-Check Worksheet (Use This as You Interview & Vet)


Y/N



Notes / Proof


State License Verified 


Local Contractor Registration Valid


Insurance / Bond Proof Provided


Written Detailed Contract (Scope, Materials, Timeline)


Permits Included in contract


Inspection schedule understood 


Warranty on workmanship


References or past jobs in area


Clear payment schedule 


Cleanup & Site-protection clauses included


Communication clear and pressure free














Make copies of all license/insurance/permit paperwork before work begins — and keep them in a safe folder.



References

Illinois Compiled Statutes. (2024). Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1360

Procore. (2025). How to get an Illinois contractor license. https://www.procore.com/library/illinois-contractors-license

Hard Decks. (n.d.). Illinois deck building codes: What homeowners should know. https://www.harddecks.com/deck-building-codes

Village of Orland Park. (2025). Development Services – permit & license requirements. https://www.orlandpark.org

BuildingRecords.us. (2025). Municipality building codes summary: Orland Park, IL. https://www.buildingrecords.us