Hiring the wrong contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. Not because the bid was high — because the work was wrong, the communication broke down, or a dispute over scope turned a straightforward project into a stressful one.
After years of working across St. Louis and Metro East Illinois, IES Construction & Roofing has seen what goes wrong when the hiring process is rushed. Here is the process we recommend — for any contractor, including us.
1. Look at Past Work and Active Job Sites
A portfolio tells you more than any sales pitch. Before signing anything, ask to see completed projects and — if possible — a project currently in progress.
Completed projects show finished quality. Look at the detail work — how are corners handled, are trim transitions tight, does the installation look consistent across the whole project? A contractor proud of their work shares it readily.
Active job sites show you something equally important: how the contractor manages a project while it’s happening. A well-run job site is organized, materials are stored properly, debris is contained, and the crew is professional. What you see on someone else’s job site in progress is exactly what your project will look like.
Questions to ask:
- Can I see photos of recently completed projects similar to my home?
- Can you share references I can actually call?
- Can I drive by an active job site?
2. Set Clear Expectations on Both Sides — Before Work Begins
Most contractor disputes trace back to one root cause: expectations that were never clearly defined before the project started.
You should know before the first nail is driven: what daily working hours are, how landscaping and driveways will be protected, how debris is managed each day, and what the site looks like at end of day. On your side, the contractor needs to know who makes decisions, what access they have, and how you prefer to communicate.
These feel like small details. They become significant problems when they’re skipped. A professional contractor drives this conversation — they don’t avoid it.
Ask before signing:
- What are your typical working hours on a residential project?
- How will you protect my landscaping and driveway?
- Who is my point of contact during the project?
- How do you handle end-of-day cleanup?
3. Verify Licensing — Especially for Illinois Roofing Projects
Illinois requires a roofing license for contractors performing roofing work. This is a legal requirement — not a technicality. An unlicensed contractor in Illinois creates liability exposure for you as the homeowner, potential issues with insurance claims, and no recourse through the state licensing board if something goes wrong.
Missouri licensing requirements vary by municipality — always ask what licenses your contractor holds and verify independently if needed. A legitimate contractor answers this without hesitation.
Also confirm:
- General liability insurance — Ask for a certificate of insurance. This protects you if damage occurs to your home during the project.
- Workers’ compensation insurance — If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn’t carry workers’ comp, you may be liable.
- Manufacturer certifications — Certifications like CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster or James Hardie certified installer are installation training requirements that activate the full manufacturer warranty. Without them, your warranty may not be valid regardless of who did the work.
4. Get the Full Scope of Work in Writing
A verbal agreement is not a contract. Before work starts, you need a written proposal detailed enough that both sides agree on exactly what is — and is not — included.
A solid scope of work specifies:
- Exact materials — manufacturer, product line, color, and grade
- What is being removed and how it’s disposed of
- What substrate work is included — decking repair, underlayment, flashing
- All penetrations, transitions, and trim details
- What is explicitly excluded
- Project timeline and expected completion date
- The exclusions matter as much as the inclusions. If a proposal doesn’t specify what’s excluded, anything discovered mid-project becomes a dispute. If a contractor hands you a one-line proposal with a single total price — be cautious. That document cannot hold anyone accountable.
5. Understand How Change Orders Work Before They Happen
On any exterior project, there is a real chance something is discovered once work begins that wasn’t visible during the estimate — rotted decking under old shingles, moisture-damaged sheathing behind siding, improper flashing hidden by the existing material.
This is the reality of working on existing homes. What separates a professional contractor is how they handle it.
Before work starts, ask specifically: How do you handle change orders? Will I receive a written change order with pricing before any additional work is performed?
The answer should always be: nothing outside the original scope happens without your written approval and a documented price. A contractor who adds work and bills for it after the fact — without prior approval — is not operating professionally, regardless of how reasonable the explanation sounds.
6. Set Clear Payment Terms in Writing
Payment terms are one of the most important and most frequently glossed-over parts of a contractor agreement. Before you sign, you should know exactly when payments are due, how much each one is, and what happens if either side doesn’t meet their obligations.
A reasonable payment structure for most residential projects:
- Deposit at contract signing — typically 10–30% to cover material ordering and scheduling
- Progress payment at a project milestone — often at substantial completion of the main installation
- Final payment at completion — after your walkthrough and sign-off
Red flags to watch for:
- A contractor demanding 50% or more upfront before materials arrive or work begins
- A request for full payment before the job is complete — final payment is your primary leverage to ensure the project finishes to your satisfaction
No written payment schedule — if it isn’t in the contract, it isn’t enforceable
The Bottom Line
The right contractor shows you their work, explains their process, carries the right credentials, puts everything in writing, handles change orders professionally, and gives you clear payment terms upfront. That contractor has nothing to hide — and that’s exactly who you want on your home.
At IES Construction & Roofing, we hold ourselves to every standard on this list. If you’re considering a roofing or siding project in St. Louis or Metro East Illinois, we’d be glad to walk you through our process and give you a written proposal you can actually hold us to.