28 Roofer Interview Questions to Hire The Best Candidate

General Roofer Interview Questions

1. What do you like the most about the roofing industry?

2. What do you enjoy the most about being a roofing technician?

3. What do you know about our roofing company?

4. What are some roofing projects you’ve worked on and feel proud of?

5. Why did you leave your previous job?

6. Why are you interested in this specific position?

7. Do you have any additional certifications or licenses?

8. Are you afraid of heights or feel discomfort working on roofs?

These questions measure the basic soft skills a technician needs on the job. This includes the right attitude to work, punctuality, and problem-solving.

Also, asking these questions reveals if their career goals and personality fit your company's culture. This is important because they will serve as representatives of your company to customers.

Now, let’s see what each question reveals about the applicant.

1. What do you like the most about the roofing industry?

This question will reveal if the applicant is genuinely interested in the roofing industry.

Pay attention to their nonverbal cues when answering. Did they maintain eye contact? Did their tone change?

You want to ensure they're interested in a roofing technician career so they don’t suddenly leave, making you go through the costly hiring and training process again.

2. What do you enjoy the most about being a roofing technician?

Beyond interest, a technician's passion for the job significantly impacts their performance.

It determines how they interact with customers and their willingness to do all they can to deliver quality work to homeowners.

3. What do you know about our roofing company?

How they answer this question determines their enthusiasm about working in your company.

Also, candidates who know about your values, mission, and service tiers are more likely to fit in quickly when hired than others who don't.

Award bonus points to applicants who go beyond the information on your website or job description.

4. What roofing projects have you worked on and feel proud of?

Candidates may embellish their resumes with false achievements. So, this question is an opportunity to investigate their ability to maintain, replace, or repair roofs. You can also use it to learn their approach to projects.

If they mention multiple projects, pick one. Then, encourage them to explain their approach and the safety precautions they took while on the job site. 

This can reveal their trade knowledge, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.

5. Why did you leave your previous job?

Applicants should explain the reason they left.

Although applicants who frequently change companies may not be the best hire for your company, you should allow them to explain the reasons for their frequent changes.

They may be looking for a higher pay or position. Or they may need a change of environment.

From their response, you'll know if they are employees who disrupt harmonious work environments.

“If they’re bad-mouthing a company, you can tell that they’re somebody who likes to blame and complain instead of taking ownership and accountability,” Angie Snow of Western Heating and Air Snow says. 

Pro tip!

Reaching out to a candidate's previous employer is a great way to confirm their story. However, reserve this for applicants who reach the last stage of the hiring process.

6. Why are you interested in this specific position?

Consider this question an opportunity to find out their motivations for applying for the position, long-term career goals, and compatibility with your company’s brand values.

You can also use this question to screen out candidates only applying to pressure their current employees into increasing their salaries or promoting them. 

7. Do you have any additional certifications or licenses?

Employees with extra certifications bring additional knowledge and expertise to your team.

These certifications also demonstrate their commitment to roofing as a career and their readiness to keep learning and growing.

Encourage candidates with extra certifications to explain how it has made them a better roof tech.

However, don’t disqualify candidates without extra qualifications, especially if they meet your other requirements.

8. Are you afraid of heights or feel discomfort working on roofs?

This might seem like a question reserved only for entry-level roof techs. However, that’s not the case.

Some experienced techs fear heights, though to a lesser degree than newcomers.

For experienced professionals, ask about the steepest roofs they've worked on, the challenges they faced, and the safety protocols they obeyed.

If it’s a newcomer, get them to mention some activities involving heights they engage in, for example, hiking, rock climbing, or mountain biking.

Behavioral/Situational Roofer Questions

1. Have you ever had an incident where you had to turn an unhappy customer into a satisfied one?

2. A customer expresses frustration over a bill. How do you handle it?

3. Name some critical rooftop safety hazards and how you handle them.

4. Here's a specific job scenario. Explain your process for handling the call.

5. What would you do if you were given incomplete instructions for a roofing job?

Behavioral interview questions are an opportunity to assess an applicant’s ability to think on their feet and resolve problems they may face in the field.

Here are some examples of such questions:

1. Have you ever had an incident where you had to turn an unhappy customer into a satisfied one?

Roof techs are supposed to empathize with customers so they leave satisfied and return to book an appointment. This is especially vital when the customer is still unhappy with the service.

Ideal candidates should give a specific instance of dealing with an unsatisfied customer. This provides insights into their ability to handle similar situations effectively and assesses their decision-making and problem-solving skills.

How did they de-escalate the situation? Did they try to educate the customer? Did they report the issue to their supervisor?

Although customer conflicts are inevitable, you can reduce their frequency with ServiceTitan’s customer experience software.

With it, you can send text reminders and technician bios to customers to reduce no-shows and help customers feel comfortable letting the tech into their homes.

It also fosters an emotional connection between the customer and the tech, minimizing the chances of conflicts.

Further, you can share a link they can use to monitor the real-time location of techs.

This puts customers' minds at ease—especially in an emergency—and ensures techs arrive on time.

2. A customer expresses frustration over a bill. How do you handle it?

The applicant’s response to this question says a lot about their interpersonal and communication skills and ability to deliver quality customer service.

The best-fit candidates take time to explain how they justified the costs associated with each step of the job without compromising the company’s interests.

3. Name some critical rooftop safety hazards and how you handle them

A key part of a roof tech's job is to practice safety precautions to protect themselves from hazards such as old roofs and exposed wires.

Test their knowledge of the dangers a roof tech faces on the job and the safety measures they will take to prevent workplace injuries.

4. Here's a specific job scenario. Explain your process for handling the call

Now is your opportunity to discover how they’ll perform in a real-world setting.

Give them a hypothetical roofing job scenario and let them outline the step-by-step process they’ll use to tackle it.

What types of roofing materials will they require? How will they charge the customer? What will be the cost and time estimate? Is there a need for a follow-up visit? What questions will they ask the customer?

Pay close attention to their approach, the accuracy of their preliminary assessment, and the type of questions they ask the customer. 

5. What would you do if you were given incomplete instructions for a roofing job?

In a perfect world, a roofer would receive all the instructions to complete a job. But that's not always the case. 

Some information may be missing, forcing the technician to gather additional details and improvise.

The ideal candidate should be able to adapt to any situation and come up with an effective solution.

Technical Roofing Interview Questions

1. Can you briefly describe the process of replacing a roof?

2. Do you have any experience with gutter installation?

3. Do you have any experience with metal roofing?

4. Can you explain the importance of ice and water shields?

5. How do you know if a roof needs repair or replacing?

6. What is the use of underlayment? Can you briefly describe its installation process?

7. How do you protect the client’s property during a roofing job?

8. Do you have experience working with steep slope roofing systems?

9. Do you have experience working with flat roofing systems?

A candidate’s resume, certifications, and prior work experience can give an idea of their technical skills.

However, their responses to these questions paint a better picture of their roofing skills.

1. Can you briefly describe the process of replacing a roof?

This question is vital, as it gauges the candidate’s knowledge and experience in roof replacement, which is a vital part of the job.

The question also gives insights into the applicant’s roof repair methodologies, approach to safety, and ability to clearly explain their processes to customers.

This includes inspecting the roof, repairing it, and following up with the customer.

Give bonus points to candidates who provide detailed answers and include post-completion activities such as site clean-up and waste disposal. This shows they're committed to delivering thorough and high-quality work.

2. Do you have any experience with gutter installation?

Some jobs demand more than installing shingles or new roofs. They may also require installing gutters to prevent damage to the building's foundation and pooling or ponding.

By asking this question, you can measure the applicant's expertise in gutter installation and ability to meet the customer's diverse needs.

3. Do you have any experience with metal roofing?

Roofers are expected to work with different roofing materials, especially metal roofs.

Metal roofing systems are increasingly popular since they are durable and require low maintenance. This increases the likelihood of getting a roofing project involving metal roofing systems.

Asking this question ensures you hire roofers with proficiency in metal roofing systems.

4. Can you explain the importance of ice and water shields?

Roof techs need to know how weather conditions affect a roof's structural integrity. One way to test this knowledge is to ask them to explain the importance of ice and water shields.

5. How do you know if a roof needs repair or replacing?

The first step of every roofing job is on-the-spot inspection. Ideal candidates must, therefore, know how to assess a roof's condition correctly, suggest a correct and cost-effective course of action, and explain it to the customer.

Ask them to explain how they arrived at their decision—whether to replace or repair the roof.

6. What is the use of underlayment? Can you briefly describe its installation process?

Installing underlayment is a critical step in roofing. It protects the roof from external factors like water that can undermine its integrity and durability.

Candidates should explain in detail how they install underlayments. Urge them to provide details like the spacing between overlapping sheets, the correct nails and staples, and how the roof's condition determines their approach.

Additionally, ask them about their knowledge of the different types of underlayment and which is the perfect fit for each roof type.

7. How do you protect the client’s property during a roofing job?

A roofer's top priority is safeguarding a customer's property. Regardless of the quality of work, customers expect zero  damage to their property.

Asking this question allows you to gauge candidates' ability to thoroughly assess the property and implement measures to minimize damage.

Applicants should explain the protective measures they put in place, such as chutes, plywood sheets, and tarps. Plus, how they arrange their roofing tools, equipment, and scrap cans on a work site to minimize damage.

8. Do you have experience working with steep slope roofing systems?

The candidate's response to this question reveals their comfort level working on steep roofs and their ability to abide by safety precautions.

Encourage applicants to elaborate on their challenges while working on a steep roofing system and how they overcame them—also, the protection systems and equipment they use.

9. Do you have experience working with flat roofing systems?

Like metal roofing systems, flat roofing systems, such as built-up roofs, have unique challenges. So, you want a roofer familiar enough with this system to deliver quality work and deal with any challenge.

Technology and Tools Interview Questions

Modern roofers use home service technologies and tools like ServiceTitan to increase efficiency, deliver personalized services, and close more deals.

For example, Lance Bachmann, the owner of LB Capital Group—a private equity firm—grew  Cherry Roofing and Siding from $2.5 million to more than $20 million in 1.5 years using ServiceTitan.

Robert Maier, VP of Laing Roofing, grew his company from two to six trucks in 12 months after switching to ServiceTitan.

He achieved this remarkable growth by leveraging ServiceTitan to cultivate long-term customer relationships.

“The goal for us is to own the life cycle of that roof because roofs don't last forever,” Maier said.

“And if it's ten years down the road that the client needs to replace their roof, then it only makes sense that the company that’s taken care of them for the last ten years is going to be first in line to do that big-ticket item.”

That’s why asking applicants about their experience with technology and views about using it on the job is vital.

Here are some questions you should ask to confirm the candidate’s expertise and knowledge of roofing technologies:

1. What do you think about the role of technology in the roofing industry?

2. Do you have experience using mobile technology on the job?

3. Have you used any tools to recommend options to a customer?

1. What do you think about the role of technology in the roofing industry?

Mathew Appell, who has run Xtreme Roofing and Construction (XRC) for 11 years, has seen an industrial shift towards embracing technology.

“From social media to marketing, it's crazy different than it was just a year ago,” said Appell.

“I used to do a lot of Facebook marketing and Google marketing. I can't do it anymore. It's so complex, and it's so fast.

There's so much information being driven to the customer that it takes a lot of work to keep up with it as an owner. Plus, trying to figure out how to grow your business, provide employee support, etc. — it's a lot.”

This means technology has a huge role to play in growing your roofing business.

“If you don't use technology, you don't really own a roofing company,” says Perez, owner of Texas Family Roofing and Construction in San Antonio, Texas. “You're just a roofer. There's a big difference.”

Even Lance Bachmann, a keynote speaker at RoofCon in November, has the same argument.

“I truly believe this: You need to use technology. My technology of choice is ServiceTitan,” Bachmann says. “Roofers are technology companies. And once they understand that you're going to blow things up really quickly.”

You’d agree that the growth of Laing Roofing and Cherry Roofing and Siding after implementing technology proves their point.

Naturally, it follows that asking candidates about their experience with technology and their views on its use in roofing companies is crucial.

This reveals if they have technological expertise and knowledge of current roofing industry trends.

2. Do you have experience using mobile technology on the job?

Mobile technologies or roofing apps help on-field techs communicate with back-office staff and collect mobile payments.

Asking candidates about their experience with roofing apps tells you if they are comfortable using technology on the job. It also reveals the extent of additional training they’ll need to start working with you.

Remember, you can use ServiceTitan’s Field Service App to empower on-field techs to build estimates, upsell customers, and collect payments. 

With it, techs can create tiered estimates to present to customers using clear product photos and videos from manufacturers.

On-field techs can also collect credit, check, and cash payments.

This way, they can easily close sales while out in the field, generating more revenue for your company.

Further, technicians can access customers' complete information—previous invoices, booking calls, and property data—from their mobile devices.

This ensures techs focus squarely on the job instead of spending minutes making back-and-forth calls to the office. 

3. Have you used any tools to recommend options to a customer?

After inspection, techs need to clearly explain the problems they discovered and their respective solutions to the customers. That’s where roofing software comes in handy.

Roofing software helps technicians easily create good-better-best proposals so customers can select the option that fits their budget.

ServiceTitan’s Proposal feature, for example, has templates technicians can use to build professional-looking service tiers within minutes.

The feature’s system also automatically calculates each tier's cost, ensuring technicians present accurate estimates to customers.

Payroll-Related Interview Questions

1. What is your salary expectation?

2. What are your thoughts on performance-based pay?

3. What are your bonus expectations?

Considering the recent labor shortage and the fact that 63% of workers leave because of low pay, offering a competitive salary and benefit structure is paramount.

The first step to providing a competitive salary and benefits structure is knowing the candidate’s expectations. That’s where payroll-related questions come in.

Payroll-related questions reveal the applicant's compensation expectations and allow you to decide on a payment structure—performance-based pay or hourly rates—acceptable to both parties.

Here are some questions you should ask:

1. What is your salary expectation?

This is the best way to find out if the salary candidates have in mind is within your budget.

Although sensitive, this question is crucial since it reveals if your company's compensation package aligns with the candidate's requirements.

But you should remember that techs may have several competing offers. So, give a salary package that matches or exceeds local competitors.

To sweeten the offer, you could add extra perks like healthcare benefits, paid time off (PTO) policies, and career development opportunities.

2. What are your thoughts on performance-based pay?

Performance-based compensation generates more revenue for employees than hourly rates.

Darius Lyvers, Chief Operating Officer at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, who has tried both pay structures, agrees.

“The only way you can make more money hourly is by working longer hours and spending more time away from the things you love to do,” Lyvers says. 

“If you want to get rewarded for what you are doing, and you often feel you’re underpaid but have unlimited earning potential, there’s only one way to do that,” he explains. “It’s to share in whatever revenues you’re bringing in for the company.”

However, only some candidates will see it in this light.

So, hear their thoughts on performance-based pay. Be open to negotiations, and be prepared to offer a flexible pay structure—such as hybrid pay—if the candidate isn’t comfortable with performance-based pay.

3. What are your bonus expectations?

Besides salary packages, bonuses are a key discussion point.

This question lets you ascertain their expected bonuses and decide if you can meet them.

You could include performance bonuses for selling memberships, exceeding installation goals, or completing jobs ahead of schedule.

The bonuses should be enough to persuade candidates to join your company, but not so large that they pose a financial risk to you.

Over to You

Picking the candidates with the right balance of expertise and excellent work ethic comes down to asking the right interview questions.

So, ask general, technical, and situational questions before you hire your next roofing tech. 

Also, pay close attention to their body language and nonverbal cues, such as posture, eye contact, and facial expressions. And most importantly, ensure their personality, values, and beliefs match your company’s culture.

Also, remember that roofing techs, like all employees, appreciate companies with seamless processes. It simplifies their daily tasks.

So, invest in roofing software like ServiceTitan to streamline your operations. Then, use it to convince techs who might be interviewing with other roofing companies to join you.

ServiceTitan is a software roofing companies use to automate their business operations, which increases employee productivity and revenue. Over 100,000 contractors and home service companies across the U.S. use it.