If you live in Northwest Indiana, you already know our weather can be brutal on roofs. From heavy lake-effect snow and ice to spring hailstorms and 50 mile-per-hour wind gusts off Lake Michigan, your roof has to be built to withstand it all.
Choosing the right roofing company is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner. The only way to be confident you are hiring the right contractor is to ask the right questions before you sign anything.
At Reliance Roof Troop, we believe in being completely transparent. These are the nine questions every homeowner in Northwest Indiana should ask any roofer they are considering. The answers will quickly show you who is committed to doing things the right way and who is taking shortcuts that could cost you thousands in the future.
1. Who will actually be doing the work on my roof?
The question to ask:
“Do you use dedicated crews that you have worked with for years, or do you hire from labor pools and the cheapest subcontractors you can find?”
Many roofing companies sell a job and then give it to whichever crew offers the lowest price to do the work. These labor pool crews often have no training in the company’s standards, no loyalty to the customer, and no accountability if something goes wrong.
Reliance Roof Troop only uses dedicated, vetted, and certified crews who have worked with us for years. They understand our systems, follow strict safety protocols, and know the unique challenges of roofing in Northwest Indiana. This is not something you can get from a crew that was hired off a labor board the night before.
2. Do you offer a workmanship guarantee or just a manufacturer warranty?
The question to ask:
“If my roof has an issue years from now and it turns out to be because of the installation, will you fix it at no cost to me?”
Many roofers advertise a lifetime warranty but it only covers the shingles if there is a manufacturing defect. If the problem is caused by poor installation, you are on your own.
Reliance Roof Troop offers both a full manufacturer warranty and our own no-leak workmanship guarantee. If an issue is caused by how we installed your roof, we fix it at no cost to you. This is the only way to give true peace of mind and it is something many low-bid contractors will not commit to in writing.
3. Who is liable if someone gets hurt on my property during the job?
The question to ask:
“Can you show me proof of both general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage?”
Roofing is dangerous work. If the company you hire does not carry proper insurance, you as the homeowner could be held responsible for injuries that happen on your property. That means potential lawsuits, medical bills, and legal headaches.
Reliance Roof Troop carries full general liability and workers compensation coverage. If an accident happens on your property during our work, you are fully protected. We are happy to provide our insurance certificates before we start the job. If a roofer cannot do the same, you should walk away immediately.
4. How will you protect my landscaping, pool, and windows during installation?
The question to ask:
“What specific steps will you take to protect my property during the tear-off and installation process?”
Roof tear-offs create debris. Without the right precautions, nails, shingles, and flashing can damage landscaping, scratch windows, dent siding, or even fall into your pool.
At Reliance Roof Troop, we take property protection seriously. We use breathable tarps, sheets of plywood, and protective barricades to shield delicate areas. Pools, AC units, decks, patios, driveways, and windows are all covered and safeguarded. In 2024, we completed a roof replacement in Valparaiso for a home with an in-ground pool. Our crew built a full barrier system around the pool to prevent even a single piece of debris from entering. That level of care is what you should expect from any roofer, yet many skip these steps entirely.
5. What happens if there is a problem a year after the job is completed?
The question to ask:
“If I call you with a problem a year from now, how quickly will you respond and what is your process for fixing it?”
Some roofers vanish after the check clears. Others take weeks to respond, leaving you with leaks that cause further damage.
Reliance Roof Troop assigns either the owner or a project manager to any post-install issue. We are typically on site within 48 hours to inspect, and if the issue is related to our work, we fix it immediately at no cost to you. We recently had a homeowner in Crown Point call about a vent issue one year after installation. Our project manager was there the next day and resolved the problem on the spot. This is the level of responsiveness you should insist on.
6. How quickly can you get to me after I call?
The question to ask:
“If I need an inspection or an emergency repair, how soon can you be here?”
In Northwest Indiana, storms can damage a roof in minutes. Every hour you wait for a repair increases the risk of water damage. Many roofing companies can take days just to return your call.
Reliance Roof Troop schedules inspections as soon as you call. For most non-emergency requests, we can be there within two to three days. For emergencies like active leaks or storm damage, we often provide same-day or next-day tarping. After the hailstorm in Schererville last spring, we had crews out tarping over 20 homes within 24 hours while many other companies were still “taking names.”
7. Who owns your company?
The question to ask:
“Are you a locally owned business or part of a large chain or investment group?”
Local, family-owned companies have a direct stake in every job and their reputation in the community. Large chains and private equity–owned companies answer to shareholders first, not homeowners.
Reliance Roof Troop is veteran-owned and family-owned right here in Northwest Indiana. We live in the same neighborhoods we serve. Our reputation matters to us because we plan to be here for decades. Many storm-chasing companies flood our area after big weather events, take the work, and disappear. You will never have that problem with us.
8. How do you handle cleanup after the job?
The question to ask:
“What is your process to make sure my property is completely free of debris and nails when the job is done?”
Roofing produces thousands of nails and large amounts of debris. If cleanup is not thorough, nails can end up in your lawn, driveway, or garden beds where they can cause injuries or damage tires.
Reliance Roof Troop uses industrial-strength magnets to sweep your property multiple times during and after the job. We do a final walk-through with you to confirm the yard, driveway, and landscaping are clean. When we replaced a roof in Merrillville last fall, the homeowner commented that her driveway looked cleaner after we left than it did before we arrived. That is the standard you should hold any roofer to.
9. What kind of training do your crews receive?
The question to ask:
“Do your crews receive formal, ongoing training from manufacturers and industry organizations?”
Even the highest quality shingles will fail if they are installed incorrectly. Ventilation, flashing, and underlayment have to be done right or problems will develop later.
Reliance Roof Troop crews receive hands-on field training twice a year, along with formal manufacturer training from Malarkey and other industry leaders. We review correct installation techniques for ice and water shields, valleys, chimney flashing, and ventilation. Our crews are certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute for siding installation and hold Malarkey’s highest certification level. This ensures your roof is built to last and your warranty stays valid.
Final Thoughts
Asking these nine questions will help you separate the true professionals from the companies that just want your check. You will know who has the experience, systems, and commitment to protect your home for decades.
Reliance Roof Troop is proud to answer all nine questions with confidence and transparency. When you are ready for a roof that is installed the right way and backed by a company that will be here for you, we are ready to help.
