A Complete Roof Replacement Checklist Every Homeowner Needs

Most Maryland homeowners replace their roof once every 20 to 30 years. That's one shot to get it right and one opportunity to either choose a contractor who protects your home for decades or end up with a warranty that disappears when you need it most. This roof replacement checklist walks you through exactly what to look for before, during, and after your project, so you're not left guessing.

Step 1: Before You Book — Vetting Your Contractor

This is where most homeowners make their most expensive mistake. They compare prices before they compare credentials. Here's what actually matters.

Manufacturer Certification Level

Not every roofer who installs CertainTeed shingles is a CertainTeed-certified contractor, and the difference in what they can offer you is enormous. CertainTeed has multiple certification tiers, and only contractors who reach the SELECT ShingleMaster level can unlock the full SureStart PLUS warranty: 25 years of labor coverage and up to 50 years of non-prorated material coverage.

Checklist item: Ask every contractor you meet with: what certification level do you hold, and what warranty does that unlock for me?

Warranty Coverage for Labor and Materials

A shingle manufacturer's warranty on materials means very little without a corresponding labor warranty. Labor defects such as improper flashing, missed nailing patterns, and poor underlayment installation are the most common causes of premature roof failure, and they're not covered unless your contractor carries an explicit labor warranty.

Checklist item: Get full written warranty documentation covering both materials and labor before the contract is signed.

References, Reviews, and Third-Party Validation

Anyone can claim to be the best roofer in the area. Look for consistent, verifiable proof across multiple platforms such as Google, Yelp, BBB, Thumbtack, and Nextdoor. A contractor with strong ratings across all of them is a meaningfully different signal than one with a handful of reviews on a single platform.

Also, check whether they're a member of the local business community. Howard County Chamber of Commerce membership, for example, adds a layer of local accountability that out-of-area contractors can't replicate.

Checklist item: Check at least three independent review platforms before committing to a contractor.

License, Insurance, and No Subcontractors

Verify that your contractor holds a valid Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) license and carries both general liability and workers' compensation insurance. If something goes wrong on your roof and the crew isn't properly insured, that liability falls on you.

Ask directly: Will your own crew be doing the work, or will this be subcontracted? Subcontracted labor creates a gap in accountability and often a gap in quality.

Checklist item: Ask for proof of MHIC license, liability insurance, and workers' comp, and confirm whether the work is done in-house.

Part 2: Before Installation Day — Preparing Your Home

Once you've selected a contractor, there are practical steps to take before the crew arrives. A smooth installation day protects your property and keeps the project on schedule.

Confirm the Installation Scope in Writing

Before work begins, walk through the written estimate line by line. Confirm what's included: full tear-off of existing materials, decking inspection, underlayment type, flashing replacement, ridge cap, and cleanup. Understand what's included in a full roof replacement so nothing is ambiguous on day one.

Checklist item: Written scope of work reviewed and confirmed before installation begins.

Clear the Driveway and Access Points

Roofing crews need clear access to your home's perimeter. Move vehicles out of the driveway the morning of installation. If you have a detached garage or fence gate near the roofline, let the project manager know in advance so staging can be planned accordingly.

Checklist item: Vehicles clear of driveway and access points by start time.

Protect Valuables in the Attic

A full roof replacement involves removing and replacing the decking in some cases, and significant vibration throughout the process. Anything stored in the attic, particularly fragile or irreplaceable items, should be moved or covered before work begins.

Checklist item: Attic contents secured or relocated.

Cover or Move Outdoor Furniture and Landscaping

Shingle debris, nails, and fasteners will land in your yard throughout the day. Move patio furniture, potted plants, and grills away from the house perimeter. Your contractor should be doing a thorough nail sweep at the end of the job, but protecting what matters to you in advance is always the right call.

Checklist item: Outdoor furniture and landscaping protected or moved away from the

home's perimeter.

Plan for Pets and Young Children

Roofing is loud and disruptive, and it involves heavy foot traffic around the exterior. If you have pets that stress easily or young children who nap during the day, plan accordingly — either arrange to be away from the home or set up a quiet space away from the noise.

Checklist item: Arrangements made for pets and children during the installation.

Part 3: During and After Replacement — What to Watch For

Once installation is underway, a few key checkpoints during the job and at final walkthrough are the difference between a roof that performs for decades and one that causes problems long before it should.

During Installation

You don't need to watch from the driveway all day, but a few things are worth confirming:

• Full tear-off is happening; old shingles are being removed, not covered over

• Decking is being inspected, and any soft or rotted boards are being flagged and addressed

• Ice and water shield is being installed along eaves and in valleys (critical for Maryland winters)

• Flashing at chimneys, skylights, and penetrations is being replaced — not just resealed

After Installation (Final Checklist)

• Nail sweep completed; no fasteners left in yard, driveway, or landscaping

• Final inspection walkthrough completed with the project manager

• Written warranty documentation received in full

• Cleanup complete — debris, wrapping, and pallets removed from property

• Gutters cleared of shingle granules

Bookmark This: Your Practical Roof Replacement Checklist

Part 1: Vetting Your Contractor
☐	Ask each contractor: what certification level do you hold, and what warranty does that unlock?
☐	Get written warranty documentation covering labor and materials before signing
☐	Verify reviews across at least three independent platforms
☐	Confirm MHIC license, general liability, and workers' comp insurance
☐	Confirm all work is performed in-house — no subcontractors
Part 2: Before Installation Day
☐	Review and confirm the written scope of work before installation begins
☐	Clear vehicles from the driveway and all access points
☐	Secure or relocate fragile items in the attic
☐	Move outdoor furniture, plants, and grills away from the home's perimeter
☐	Arrange for pets and young children during the installation
Part 3: During Installation
☐	Full tear-off is underway — old shingles removed, not covered over
☐	Decking inspected; soft or rotted boards flagged and replaced
☐	Ice and water shield installed along eaves and in valleys
☐	Flashing replaced at all chimneys, skylights, and penetrations
Part 4: After Installation
☐	Nail sweep complete — no fasteners in yard, driveway, or landscaping
☐	Final walkthrough completed with the project manager
☐	Written warranty documentation received
☐	All debris, wrapping, and pallets removed from property
☐	Gutters cleared of shingle granules

How Restoration Roofing Co. Measures Up to This Checklist

We built our process around every item on this list because we've seen what happens when roofers cut corners on what matters most.

As a trusted roofing contractor in Maryland with CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certification, we're among a very small number of contractors who can offer the full SureStart PLUS warranty package: 25-year labor coverage and up to 50 years of non-prorated material coverage. Every installation is handled personally by the Interiano family; no subcontractors, no handoffs.

We're BBB-accredited, Yelp's top-rated roofing contractor in Maryland, Thumbtack Top Pro since 2021, and NextDoor Neighborhood Faves since 2020. Our reviews across every platform reflect the same thing: homeowners who felt informed, respected, and protected throughout the process.

If you're working through this checklist and want to see how we answer each item, we'd love to walk you through it in person. Book a free roofing estimate, no pressure, no commitment, just a clear picture of what your project involves and what it protects.