Roofing Contractor in Troy MI: Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Choosing a roofing contractor in Troy MI is not a casual decision. A roof is a system, not a single layer, and the wrong hands can turn a straightforward job into a money pit. Oakland County’s freeze-thaw cycles, lake-effect snow, and summer storms stress every component, from shingles and flashing to gutters and attic ventilation. The contractor you hire needs to understand not just how to install a roof, but how a roof behaves over seasons, how it pairs with your siding and gutters, and where the weak links typically show up on Troy homes built in different decades.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve walked more roofs than I can count, from tri-levels near Big Beaver to colonials tucked behind square corners of mature maples. The questions below are the ones that separate the pros from the pretenders. Ask them, press for specifics, then weigh the answers against what you can verify. If a roofing company in Troy MI gives you vagueness or rushes you to sign a “today-only” deal, that is its own answer.

Why the right questions matter in Troy

Roofs here fail for predictable local reasons. Heat builds in low-slope ranches with shallow soffits, cooking the shingle mat from the underside. Ice dams form along north-facing eaves and in shaded valleys, then creep under brittle flashing installed too tight to move. Gutters sag under wet snow because the hangers are spaced like it’s Georgia, not Michigan. When a roof fails slowly, moisture migrates into the sheathing and down exterior walls, showing up years later as wavy siding or peeling paint along the soffit. Upfront diligence saves you from these cascading issues.

A good roofing contractor in Troy MI knows the neighborhoods, the vintage of the framing, the common ventilation constraints, and the township permitting expectations. They welcome your questions because they already ask the same ones on your behalf.

Start with proof: license, insurance, and references you can use

Every homeowner should ask for a copy of the contractor’s Michigan residential maintenance and alteration license. Good companies have their license number printed on proposals and trucks. Verify it through LARA’s public search, and check whether the qualifying officer actually works in the business or if the license is “rented.” Next, request a certificate of insurance issued to you, not a generic PDF. You want general liability and workers’ comp, both current through your projected installation window. Out-of-state policies or lapsed coverage are red flags.

References help, but only if they’re specific. Ask for at least three recent projects within 5 to 10 miles, ideally with similar roof pitch and materials. A contractor proud of their work will give you addresses and the homeowner’s preferred contact method. Drive by at different times of day. Look at straightness of courses, valley treatment, chimney flashings, and how the ridge caps sit. If you see wavy lines or overexposed tabs, that crew rushed or lacked control.

What exactly will you install on my home?

Too many proposals just say “tear off and re-roof.” That misses everything that makes a roof durable in this climate. Ask the contractor to walk you through the system by component and brand, including underlayment, ice and water shield, drip edge, flashing metals, shingles, vents, fasteners, and sealants. Then push for quantities and locations.

Concise checklist to keep on one page: Ice and water shield: how many feet from eaves and into valleys Underlayment type: synthetic brand and mil thickness or felt weight Drip edge: profile, gauge, and color Flashing: new or reused at chimneys, walls, and skylights Ventilation: type, count, and net free area calculations

Those five lines cover 90 percent of miscommunications I see. For example, code in our region typically requires ice and water shield extending at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. On a 12-inch overhang, that’s roughly 3 to 6 feet up-slope depending on pitch. Many homes need two courses to meet that standard. If you have a low slope or north-facing valleys, I often specify full-width ice and water in the valley and an extra course up the rake edges where wind-driven rain comes sideways off Woodward squalls.

Underlayment matters more than the average homeowner realizes. A good synthetic underlayment lays flat, resists wrinkling under temperature swings, and gives the crew a safer surface. Felt will work, but it holds water and can telegraph ridges. I tell clients to insist on a named synthetic with known tear strength and UV exposure rating in case the job spans several days.

Flashing is where the skill of a roofing contractor in Troy MI really shows. Chimneys should get new step flashing interlaced with shingles, not oversized face caulked to brick. Kickout flashing needs to be installed where rooflines terminate into sidewalls, a common leak point behind taller siding in split-levels. Ask if they custom bend aprons and counter flashing on site or if they rely on stock L pieces. Stock can be fine if detailed correctly, but custom bending allows tighter fits and cleaner lines when masonry varies.

Shingle choices and why local climate changes the calculus

Everyone asks about shingles in Troy MI, and for good reason. Architectural asphalt shingles dominate because they balance cost, appearance, and durability. The conversation tends to stop after “We install a 30-year shingle.” Press for specifics: brand line, wind rating, algae resistance, and warranty transfer rules. Michigan weather punishes poorly adhered shingles. Look for shingles with reinforced nail zones and a published 110 to 130 mph wind rating when installed with the manufacturer’s required fastening pattern and starter strip.

Colors impact lifespan because darker shades absorb more heat, and heat ages asphalt. On sunbaked south-facing slopes, a medium gray or weathered wood tone keeps deck temperatures a notch lower than pure black. I’ve torn off roofs at 18 years on dark sun-exposed slopes while the shaded north side still looked passable. Algae-resistant granules matter in shaded subdivisions with mature trees, where black streaks can appear within five years. AR shingles slow that staining.

There’s a time and place for roofing premium shingles, but they are heavier and may require confirmation of decking and framing capacity. If you’re choosing designer profiles, ask for physical samples on your roof in daylight. Photos distort texture and scale.

Metal accents are worth considering at porch roofs or low-slope returns where shingles tend to fail early. A standing seam or mechanically seamed panel at a 2/12 pitch outperforms shingles every time. Blended roofs add complexity for flashing and transitions, so this is a conversation you want to have before the crew shows up.

Ventilation is not a checkbox, it’s math

Proper ventilation in roofing Troy MI projects separates long-lived shingles from early granule loss. The formula is straightforward: for every 300 square feet of attic floor, you want roughly 1 square foot of net free ventilation area, split evenly between intake at the soffit and exhaust at the ridge or high gable. If you have a solid ridge line and open soffits, ridge vents paired with continuous soffit vents work well. If the attic is cut up with dormers and short ridges, smart use of box vents or a small powered unit triggered by humidity can help.

Two common mistakes I see in Troy: mixing different exhaust types that short-circuit airflow, and adding ridge vent without confirming you have adequate soffit intake. Air follows the path of least resistance. A big ridge vent and two gable fans can pull conditioned air from the top floor rather than from soffits if baffles are clogged with insulation or if the soffit vents are mostly cosmetic. Ask your roofing contractor in Troy MI to show you photos of attic baffles, soffit openings, and the current state of insulation. A good pro will add or clear baffles as part of the job.

Decking and what happens if the plywood is bad

Most proposals mention “replace rotten decking as needed.” That sounds fine until the change order hits. Have the contractor state the per-sheet price for replacement decking, the thickness they will use, and how they determine when a panel is compromised. On homes from the 1960s and 1970s in Troy, we find a mix of 3/8 and 7/16 inch sheathing. If the span or softness is borderline, stepping up to 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch in high load areas like eaves and valleys pays dividends. I keep a straightedge and a moisture meter in the truck. Soft spots near bathroom vents often signal condensation issues rather than leaks, which means we fix the venting and insulation strategy too.

Insist that any plank decking or skip sheathing be overlaid to meet the manufacturer’s minimum for shingle warranty. Some product lines require solid decking with gaps smaller than a quarter inch. Make sure fastener length accounts for thicker decking so nails fully penetrate and clinch.

Ask how the crew will protect your property

A clean job is not an accident. It comes from a plan. The best roofing company in Troy MI will walk your property and note where to stage the dumpster, how to protect stamped concrete, and whether delicate landscaping needs temporary plywood or tarps. They’ll ask you to move vehicles out of the garage and away from the driveway, because tear-off nails find tires. If you have a pool, they’ll cover it before the first shingle comes off. Lawns are softer in early spring and late fall, so a tracked buggy is kinder than a truck that will trench your yard.

I keep magnetic rollers in the trailer and sweep the perimeter at lunch and at day’s end. Then I run a final sweep a day later, because nails work themselves up after the first cleanup. Ask if that second-day sweep is part of their routine.

Timelines, weather windows, and crew capacity

Michigan’s construction calendar dances with the forecast. A typical roof replacement in Troy MI on a 2,000 to 3,000 square foot home takes one to two days for a well-staffed crew. That assumes standard pitches and no structural surprises. Spring fills quickly, late fall compresses schedules, and summer brings pop-up storms. Your contract should specify a target start week, a rough duration, and what happens if weather interrupts. Does the crew dry-in with synthetic and tape seams at the end of each day? Do they use temporary waterproofing if a storm is within range on radar? I prefer to complete tear-off and dry-in the same day on each section, even if shingles slide to the next morning, because underlayment is your true short-term roof.

Ask who supervises the crew. A name beats a title. You want a foreman on site who can make decisions and communicate with you. The person who sold you the job may not be the person installing it.

Pricing clarity and scope boundaries

A fair price includes everything needed to build the roof you expect. Beware of bargains that line-item only the shingles and labor. Your proposal should spell out tear-off, disposal, underlayment, ice and water, drip edge, new flashings, ridge cap, ventilation components, pipe boots, and any necessary wood replacement with stated costs. If your home has skylights, specify whether they will be replaced or re-flashed. Old skylights fail on new roofs because the seals have aged out. Re-flashing a 20-year-old skylight saves money today, but often costs more in leaks later.

A second small list you can use to compare bids:

Shingle line and color Underlayment and ice barrier coverage Flashing scope, including chimneys and walls Ventilation strategy and parts Decking replacement price per sheet

Apples-to-apples is the only way to compare quotes. If a bid is much lower, it usually omits elements or assumes reusing parts that should be replaced.

Warranties that actually protect you

Manufacturer warranties get a lot of ink, but they mostly cover manufacturing defects, not installation mistakes. That’s not cynicism, that’s how they are written. What you want is a combination of a strong manufacturer warranty upgraded through the contractor’s certification and a clear workmanship warranty from the installer.

Ask whether your roofing contractor in Troy MI can register an enhanced system warranty with the shingle manufacturer. These usually require specific combinations of components from the same brand and proof that the company is certified. They can extend non-prorated coverage and include labor for certain failure types. Read the fine print on transfer rules. Many drop from 50 years to 2 to 10 years on the second owner unless you register the transfer within a set window.

Workmanship warranties vary widely, from one year to twelve. Ten years from a reputable local contractor is meaningful. A lifetime warranty from a company formed last year is not. The workmanship warranty should be written, define what is covered, and state response times for leak calls.

What about gutters and siding while you’re at it?

Roofing rarely lives alone. Gutters in Troy MI suffer from ice, heavy spring rains, and leaf debris from big canopy trees. When you replace a roof, it’s a smart time to evaluate gutter size, pitch, and hanger types. Many homes still have 5-inch gutters with thin material and spike-and-ferrule hangers. Upgrading to 6-inch K-style gutters with heavy-gauge aluminum and hidden hangers spaced 16 to 24 inches can move roughly 40 percent more water and resist winter loads better. Think about oversized downspouts on long runs or where two roof planes feed one drop. If you add leaf protection, pick a system that can be mechanically fastened to the gutter itself, not tucked under shingles where it disrupts the shingle seal and voids warranties.

Siding in Troy MI often plays a role at roof-to-wall junctions. If your house has older aluminum or wood siding, the flashing integration may be compromised or painted over. A thoughtful roofing contractor will coordinate with a siding team to remove a course or two of siding at the tie-in, install proper step and counter flashing, then reinstall or replace that section. This is where company breadth matters. A firm that handles roofing, siding, and gutters under one roof simplifies accountability. If multiple trades are involved, ask who owns the interface details and how they sequence the work.

Tear-off versus overlay: is it ever worth layering?

Overlaying new shingles over old is allowed by code in many places, but it’s almost never the right call in our climate. The extra layer hinders heat dissipation, adds weight, and hides deck conditions. Overlays also telegraph old defects, making the new roof look wavy from day one. The only overlays I’ve sanctioned were for short-term fixes on outbuildings where cost and timing outweighed aesthetics and longevity. If a roofing company in Troy MI pushes overlay as a default, they are speeding through a job rather than solving it.

Special cases: low slopes, valleys, chimneys, and skylights

Low-slope areas between 2/12 and 4/12 deserve special treatment. Shingles can work at 2/12 only with double underlayment and full ice and water shield coverage, and even then I prefer self-adhered modified bitumen or metal. Valleys are best handled with metal liners or closed-cut shingle techniques done with attention to the cut line and nail placement. Nails too close to the centerline of a valley leak under heavy rain. Chimneys need both step and counter flashing. If your chimney mortar is crumbling, roofing alone will not fix it. Budget for masonry work or a proper counter flashing reglet cut into fresh mortar.

Skylights age out between 18 and 25 years. Reusing them on a new roof often invites a call in the first big storm. If you love the light, consider new units with laminated glass and factory flashing kits that integrate cleanly with your shingles. Tubular skylights can brighten hallways with fewer leak paths, but they still need careful flashing.

Permitting, inspections, and code in Troy

Troy’s building department enforces state code with local rigor. Your contractor should pull the permit, post it visibly, and coordinate inspections. Expect at least a final inspection, sometimes with mid-project checks if the department requests them. Good contractors welcome inspector eyes because it validates their process. Ask who pays the permit fee and whether it is included in your contract price.

Code minimums are a floor, not a ceiling. A two-course ice barrier on steep roofs may meet code where overhangs are short, but adding protection along rakes and in dead valleys protects against sideways snow. Balanced ventilation that meets math beats a token roof vent. When a contractor says “we build to code,” follow up with “and where do you go beyond code on my home, and why?”

Communication style and how they handle problems

Every roof has surprises. Hidden rot behind a dormer. A wasp nest in the soffit. A satellite mount that cratered the decking. The difference between a stressful project and a smooth one is communication. Ask the contractor how they handle mid-job discoveries. Do they pause and show you photos? Do they have authority to make small repairs within a pre-agreed budget so the job moves without delay? A small contingency fund listed in the contract removes friction for both sides.

During tear-off, you should expect a daily briefing with a couple of photos. If weather threatens, you should hear the plan change before you have to ask. If a leak ever happens during the job, you want a company that shows up within hours, not days. Ask for that commitment in writing.

What it looks like when you’ve found the right roofing contractor in Troy MI

You feel informed, not pressured. The estimate reads like a scope of work, not a sales flyer. The contractor discusses shingles Troy MI choices along with underlayment, flashing, and ventilation like they’re parts of one system. They acknowledge where your home’s design creates risk and propose specific solutions. They bring up gutters Troy MI upgrades where needed and talk about siding interfaces without you asking. Their insurance paperwork checks out, their references match your neighborhood, and their timeline accounts for the season.

On installation day, the crew arrives with protection materials and sets up cleanly. The foreman introduces themselves by name and reviews the day’s plan. At the end, you see tidy lines, tight flashings, aligned ridge caps, and a yard that looks like work wrapped at a professional site, not a carnival. You receive warranty registration paperwork, and you know who to call if anything feels off.

Final thoughts for homeowners weighing a roof replacement in Troy MI

A roof replacement is a significant investment. Done right, it stabilizes your home’s envelope, reduces ice dam risk, and improves curb appeal. Done wrong, it traps moisture, drives up energy bills, and leaks into the smallest cracks of your patience. The questions here are not hoops to make a contractor jump through. They are a map to an honest conversation that ends with a reliable system over your head.

If you’re comparing a roofing company in Troy MI against another, bring the discussion back to specifics: components, methods, supervision, and accountability. An extra hour up front saves years of second-guessing. The roof protects everything under it. Treat the hiring decision with the same care.