Howell MI is one of Michigan's fastest-growing communities, and that growth has attracted a steady stream of out-of-area roofing contractors — some excellent, many not. After every major storm, our Howell service area sees a fresh wave of door-knockers, magnetic truck signs that come off when the truck leaves, and contractors offering "today only" pricing they made up an hour earlier.
These nine questions cut through the sales pressure and tell you whether the contractor in front of you is one you should actually hire. Use them on every quote you collect — including ours.
1. Are You Michigan-Licensed and Can You Prove It?
Michigan requires a residential builder's license for any roofing work over $600. Ask for the license number and verify it on the LARA website before you sign. Out-of-state storm-chaser crews almost always fail this test — many cannot legally pull permits in Howell at all.
2. Do You Carry Liability and Workers' Comp Insurance?
Without both, an injured worker on your Howell property can file against your homeowners' policy. Ask for current certificates of insurance — and call the issuing agency to verify the policy is active. Crown Roofing carries both at full residential limits and provides COIs on request before any contract is signed.
3. Have You Handled Insurance Claims in Livingston County?
Insurance work is a learned skill. A contractor who has not walked claims with Citizens, Auto-Owners, State Farm, and Allstate adjusters in Howell will miss line items and undersell scope. Ask how many claims they have completed in Livingston County in the past 12 months. Our complete Michigan roof insurance claims guide covers what a strong claim contractor should know.
4. Will You Walk the Roof With My Adjuster?
This is one of the highest-leverage questions you can ask. A roofer who shows up for the adjuster appointment, walks the roof with them, and advocates for missing line items will recover thousands more in scope on average. Crown Roofing does this for free on every Howell-area claim — it is a routine part of how we work, not an upcharge.
5. What Does Your Scope of Work Actually Include?
Cheap quotes hide what they leave out. A complete Howell roof scope should include tear-off of all existing layers, deck inspection and replacement of any rotted boards, ice & water shield at all eaves (Michigan code requires it), synthetic underlayment, drip edge, new pipe boots, chimney flashing if applicable, and ridge cap shingles. If a quote does not list these, ask why. Our top spring roof repairs guide breaks down what each component costs separately.
6. What Warranty Terms Come Standard?
A real warranty has two parts: the manufacturer's shingle warranty (typically 25–50 years on architectural asphalt) and the contractor's workmanship warranty (typically 5–10 years). Ask for both in writing. A contractor who only offers a manufacturer warranty has zero accountability for installation defects — and most Michigan roof leaks are installation problems, not material defects.
7. Can I See Recent Work in Howell or Livingston County?
Photos of completed Howell-area homes, addresses you can drive past, references from neighbors — these matter more than glossy brochures. Crown Roofing maintains an active portfolio of recent Howell and Brighton installations and we are happy to give you the addresses. Drive by, look up. If a contractor cannot provide local references, that itself is the answer.
8. How Do You Inspect — Drone or Ladder?
Drone inspections are faster, safer, more thorough, and produce digital documentation you can use for insurance claims. We switched to drones as our standard practice years ago — read why in our drone roof inspections explained guide. Contractors still climbing on every roof either have not invested in modern equipment or are unaware their boots damage the shingles they are inspecting.
9. Are You Local Year-Round, or Only After Storms?
This is the storm-chaser test. Ask: "If I have a warranty issue 18 months from now, will you still be in Howell?" Out-of-area contractors who flooded the area after a storm often disappear before winter. Crown Roofing is based in Pinckney, 15 minutes from downtown Howell, and we are here every season — not just after storms.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
A few things should end the conversation immediately:
- Door-knockers asking you to sign an "inspection authorization" form
- Pressure to sign before the adjuster has even visited
- Demand for a deposit before any materials are on site
- No physical Michigan address (a P.O. box does not count)
- Quotes that come in dramatically lower than every other bid — those numbers are made up
- Refusal to provide license number or insurance certificates
How Crown Roofing Compares
We answer all nine questions in writing before you sign anything. Free drone inspection, Michigan-licensed and fully insured, dozens of completed Howell-area installations, full insurance claim handling, written workmanship warranty, and a physical address ten minutes from town.
Schedule your free Howell roof inspection at crownroofing.pro/schedule or call (734) 359-7140 to talk through your project with a real Livingston County roofer.
Ready for a Free Roof Inspection?
Crown Roofing offers free drone inspections across Livingston, Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties. Same-day written report. Zero obligation.