Roofing Contract Checklist: What to Get in Writing in Oklahoma
A roofing contract checklist for Oklahoma homeowners: scope, materials, decking, payment, permits, warranties, insurance terms and red flags to avoid.
The short answer: A roofing contract should name the contractor and its Oklahoma CIB registration number, spell out the full scope and materials, list a per-sheet decking price, the total price and payment schedule, permit responsibility, timeline, cleanup, and written workmanship and manufacturer warranties. No contractor can legally waive your deductible.
In this guide 13 sections
- Before You Even Look at the Contract
- The Roofing Contract Checklist
- Scope: The Most Important Section
- Payment Terms
- If Insurance Is Paying
- Red Flags in a Roofing Contract
- Warranties in Writing
- Comparing Two Roofing Bids
- Typical Contract Problems We See
- Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Contracts
- A Contract You Can Actually Read
- Related Reading
A roofing contract is the only thing that defines what you're actually buying. The sales conversation, the brochure and the handshake all fade. The contract is what's left when there's a question about materials, a surprise cost, a delay, or a leak two years later.
Unfortunately, a lot of roofing contracts in Oklahoma, especially the ones that show up on doorsteps after a hailstorm, are a single page with a price and a signature line. That protects the contractor, not you.
This guide is a roofing contract checklist for Oklahoma homeowners: what should be in writing before you sign, the red flags to walk away from, and what to know if insurance is paying for the roof.
Before You Even Look at the Contract
Make sure you're dealing with a legitimate contractor:
- License. Oklahoma requires roofing contractors to register with the Construction Industries Board (CIB). Look up the registration number. RainTech's is 80001347.
- Insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, sent directly from the insurance agent.
- Local presence. A real address, local references, and a track record that predates the last storm.
- Manufacturer credentials. Certifications like GAF Master Elite affect which warranties the contractor can offer.
Our guides on Oklahoma roofer licensing and storm chaser scams go deeper.
The Roofing Contract Checklist
| Item | What it should say |
|---|---|
| Contractor details | Legal business name, address, phone, and CIB registration number |
| Scope of work | Full tear-off or overlay, number of layers, every area being roofed |
| Materials | Manufacturer, shingle line, color, underlayment, ice-and-water locations, ventilation, drip edge |
| Flashing | Whether flashing is replaced or reused, and where |
| Decking | A per-sheet price for replacing rotted decking |
| Price and payment schedule | Total price, deposit, and when each payment is due |
| Permit | Who pulls the permit and schedules inspection |
| Start date and timeline | An estimated start and expected duration |
| Cleanup | Debris removal, magnetic nail sweep, gutter clean-out |
| Workmanship warranty | Length and what it covers, in writing |
| Manufacturer warranty | Which warranty, and who registers it |
| Change orders | How extra work is approved and priced before it's done |
| Insurance work (if any) | That the price follows the approved insurance scope plus supplements |
Scope: The Most Important Section
"Replace roof" isn't a scope. A good scope lists every component, so two contractors' bids can be compared line for line:
- Tear-off of existing layers
- Decking inspection and replacement at a stated per-sheet price
- Drip edge at eaves and rakes
- Synthetic underlayment over the field
- Ice-and-water membrane at valleys, eaves and penetrations
- New flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights
- New pipe boots and vents
- Starter strip, shingles, hip and ridge cap
- Balanced attic ventilation
Every item that's missing from the scope is an item that can quietly be skipped. Our guide on how to read a roofing estimate explains each line.
Payment Terms
A reasonable deposit for materials is normal. Paying most of the job up front before work starts is not. Be cautious of:
- Large deposits before materials are ordered
- Cash-only payment
- Pressure to sign over insurance checks before work is done
Final payment should come after the work is complete and you've walked the job.
If Insurance Is Paying
Storm claims add a few things to watch:
- Your deductible is yours. Oklahoma law prohibits contractors from waiving, paying or rebating your deductible. A contract or salesperson that offers to "cover" it is a red flag.
- Assignment of benefits. Be careful with any document that signs your insurance benefits over to the contractor. It gives them control of your claim and the negotiation with your insurer.
- Contingency agreements. Some contractors ask you to sign before the claim is decided. Read exactly what happens if the claim is denied or partially approved.
- Supplements. The contract should explain how missed damage is supplemented with your insurer, and that you'll see the paperwork. See roof insurance supplements.
Red Flags in a Roofing Contract
- One page with a price and no materials or scope
- "Today only" pricing or pressure to sign immediately
- No CIB registration number
- No mention of permits
- No written workmanship warranty
- Blank spaces "to be filled in later"
- Language letting the contractor substitute materials without your approval
- Offers to waive your deductible
Warranties in Writing
There are two warranties on a roof: the manufacturer's (materials, and sometimes workmanship on premium systems) and the contractor's workmanship warranty. Both should be in writing.
At RainTech, eligible GAF systems can carry the Golden Pledge warranty, which includes lifetime material coverage, fully covered for the first 50 years, plus workmanship coverage backed by GAF, fully covered for 25 to 30 years depending on the shingle. Our own workmanship warranty runs 2 to 10 years depending on the materials installed, and the terms are written into the contract. More in our roof warranty guide.
Comparing Two Roofing Bids
When two quotes are thousands of dollars apart, the difference is almost always in the scope. Line them up:
| Line item | Bid A | Bid B |
|---|---|---|
| Tear-off layers | All layers | Not stated |
| Decking | $/sheet listed | "As needed" |
| Ice-and-water | Valleys, eaves, penetrations | Valleys only |
| Flashing | Replaced | Reused |
| Ventilation | Ridge vent added | Not mentioned |
| Shingle line | Named line and color | "Architectural" |
| Warranty | Written terms | Verbal |
The cheaper bid often isn't cheaper once the missing items are added back, or once they show up as change orders.
Typical Contract Problems We See
The one-page contract after a storm
A homeowner signs a short agreement with a door-knocking crew that lists a price "per insurance." No materials, no scope, no license number. When the claim comes in lower than expected, the contractor demands the difference. A detailed scope and clear insurance terms would have prevented it.
The surprise decking bill
A quote with no decking line, and a large bill for "rotten wood" after tear-off. A per-sheet price in the contract keeps decking costs predictable and verifiable with photos.
The warranty that wasn't
A homeowner discovers years later that the manufacturer warranty was never registered. Registration and paperwork should be part of the contract's closeout.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- What's your Oklahoma CIB registration number?
- Can you send a certificate of insurance from your agent?
- Will you tear off every layer and inspect the decking?
- Who will be on site supervising the job?
- Who registers the manufacturer warranty, and when?
- How are change orders approved and priced?
Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Contracts
What should be included in a roofing contract?
Contractor name and license number, a detailed scope, named materials, a per-sheet decking price, total price and payment schedule, permit responsibility, timeline, cleanup, and written workmanship and manufacturer warranties.
How much deposit should a roofer ask for?
A modest deposit for materials is common. Be wary of contractors asking for most of the price before work begins, or for cash only.
Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible in Oklahoma?
No. Oklahoma law prohibits contractors from waiving, paying or rebating a homeowner's deductible, and it's treated as insurance fraud.
Should I sign a contract before my insurance claim is approved?
Be careful. If you do, read exactly what happens if the claim is denied or partly approved, and avoid assigning your insurance benefits to the contractor.
How do I verify a roofer's license in Oklahoma?
Look up the contractor's registration with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board using the number on their contract or website.
A Contract You Can Actually Read
Every RainTech quote is itemized: materials named, decking priced per sheet, permit, cleanup and warranty terms spelled out. We'll walk through it line by line with everyone who's making the decision, and we'll never pressure you to sign on the spot. Book a free inspection to get one, or see how a replacement works on our roof replacement page.
We serve homeowners across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso and Sapulpa.
This is general information, not legal advice. For questions about a specific contract, consult an Oklahoma attorney.
Related Reading
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Sources and disclaimer. Information in this article comes from public sources such as the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, Oklahoma statutes and manufacturer certification programs, plus RainTech’s own experience. It was current as of October 1, 2026; laws, insurance rules, manufacturer terms and prices change. This article is general information, not legal, insurance, tax or financial advice. Golden Pledge warranty terms are set by GAF, apply only to qualifying GAF roof systems, and are governed by the warranty GAF issues for your roof.
