A roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair or replace, and in the Pahrump Valley it takes a beating from intense sun, wind and the occasional summer storm. When it's time for work, the contractor you pick matters as much as the materials. The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) publishes consumer guidance on hiring contractors, and this checklist puts that advice in order for a roofing project.
Step 1: Verify the license, not just the business card
NSCB stresses that a business license is not a contractor's license. In Nevada, contractors must be licensed by NSCB to do construction work, and NSCB recommends verifying the license before you hire. You can look one up with NSCB's online license search, its mobile app, or by calling the Board.
When you look up the license, check these points:
- Name and number match. The name and license number on the bid or contract should match the NSCB record.
- Status is Active. An expired, suspended or revoked license is a stop sign.
- Classification fits the job. For roofing work, look for a roofing classification. A license for a different trade doesn't cover your roof.
- The monetary limit covers your project. NSCB licenses carry a monetary limit, and NSCB warns that a contract above the contractor's limit is invalid.
- Check the disciplinary history. The license record can show past disciplinary actions.
NSCB also suggests asking to see the contractor's license pocket card. Licensed contractors in Nevada must also carry workers' compensation coverage, a bond, and meet financial responsibility requirements, according to NSCB.
Step 2: Get at least three written bids
NSCB recommends getting at least three written bids and checking references. When comparing bids, make sure each one covers the same scope: tear-off or overlay, underlayment, flashing, vents, disposal, and cleanup. NSCB cautions that a bid far lower than the others may leave out work or materials. Ask about it rather than just taking the cheapest number.
- Ask each roofer to put the scope, materials and timeline in writing
- Ask for references from recent local jobs, and call them
- Ask who will pull any required permits. NSCB lists a contractor asking you to get the permits as a red flag
- Ask whether subcontractors will be used. NSCB says you have the right to request a list of subcontractors and suppliers
Step 3: Get a written contract
NSCB lists the lack of a written contract as a warning sign. Before work starts, the contract should spell out the work, the materials, the price, the payment schedule, and the start and completion dates. Read it fully before you sign, and keep a copy.
Step 4: Know Nevada's down payment limit
For residential work, NSCB's consumer guidance says a down payment can be no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. A roofer who wants half the money up front before ordering materials is asking for more than that.
NSCB's other payment advice:
- Never pay cash. Use a check or card so there's a record.
- Don't pay ahead of the work. Payments should track progress that's actually been completed.
- Get lien releases. Ask for lien releases from the contractor and suppliers as you pay, so an unpaid supplier can't place a lien on your home.
Red flags to watch for
NSCB's consumer materials, including its "Ready, Set, Hire!" guide, list warning signs that should make you slow down:
- No verifiable contact information or license number
- Requests for cash, or for a large payment up front
- Asking you to obtain the building permits
- No written contract
- High-pressure, "today only" pricing to get you to sign immediately
These red flags tend to appear more often after storms, when out-of-area crews go door to door. If someone knocks offering a "free roof" after a wind event, take their name and license number and check it before you agree to anything.
If something goes wrong
NSCB accepts complaints against contractors. Its guidance says homeowners generally have four years to file a complaint against a licensed contractor, and two years for an unlicensed one. When a contractor can't correct a problem, NSCB says homeowners may be eligible for its Residential Recovery Fund, which is paid into by licensed residential contractors and may award up to $40,000. Eligibility rules apply, so ask NSCB about your situation.
A quick hiring checklist
- Look up the license: active, roofing classification, monetary limit, discipline history
- Get at least three written bids covering the same scope
- Check references
- Sign a written contract before work starts
- Keep the down payment at or below $1,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less
- Pay by check or card, never cash, and only for completed work
- Collect lien releases as you pay
Related: roof inspection · roof repair · roof replacement · wind and storm damage
Get connected with a local roofer
We're an independent referral service, not a roofing contractor. We can connect you with a participating local roofer serving the Pahrump Valley. Whoever you hire, run the checks above first. Call (775) 252-7885 or use the form on this page.
Sources
- Nevada State Contractors Board, Working With Contractors
- Nevada State Contractors Board, Ready, Set, Hire! (red flags)
- Nevada State Contractors Board, License Search
Information current as of the sources' publication. Rules, fees and recommendations can change, so confirm details with the agency or a licensed professional.