Before signing a roof contract in Fontana, ask for the contractor license number and the C-39 roofing classification, check the number with the Contractors State License Board and ask for a current workers' compensation certificate. Every licensed contractor must hold one. A written scope and a written permit position complete the checks.
Key takeaways
- The C-39 classification is the Roofing Contractor classification issued by the Contractors State License Board.
- Every licensed contractor must hold a current certificate of workers' compensation insurance or certification of self-insurance.
- The license number should be checked with the Contractors State License Board before any contract is signed.
- A contract should state the scope, the materials, the permit position and the approval step in writing.
- The company that attends should be named on the contract, along with the license that covers the work.
- A homeowner who cannot get these details in writing should not sign.
What is a C-39 roofing license, and who issues it?
C-39 is the roofing contractor classification issued by the Contractors State License Board, the state licensing board for contractors in California. A roofing job in the state is performed under a license that covers the work, and the classification shows that the license covers roofing.
The Contractors State License Board is the body that issues and checks contractor licenses in California. Its classification list names the work each license covers, and the roofing classification is C-39. A homeowner can confirm that the classification is on the license before any work begins.
A license is held by a business, not by a person working for it. The name on the contract should match the name on the license, and the crew should be able to give the license number without delay.
A homeowner who has been offered a contract by a company that does not show C-39 on its license should ask the crew to explain how the roofing work is covered before signing. The answer should be given in writing, and the crew should be able to name the license that applies to each part of the job.
How do I check a contractor's license number?
Look the license number up with the Contractors State License Board, and check the business name, the status of the license and the classification. A number that does not match the business name on the contract is a reason to stop and ask questions.
Ask for the number before the crew arrives, and write it on the contract. The Board's own lookup shows whether the license is active and which classifications it carries. Check that the classification includes roofing, and check the name and the address against what the crew has told you.
A crew that will not give its license number on request should not be hired. The number is a basic piece of information about the business, and any reputable company gives it without hesitation.
| Item | Where to check it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| License number | Contractors State License Board lookup | Confirms the business is licensed |
| Classification | The license detail on the Board lookup | C-39 is the roofing classification |
| Business name | Contract and license must match | A mismatch means ask questions first |
| Workers' compensation certificate | Copy from the company | Covers the workers on the roof |
| Written scope | The contract | Sets out the work to be done |
| Permit position | Written by the crew | Shows who applies for the permit |
What is the workers' compensation requirement?
Every licensed contractor must hold a current certificate of workers' compensation insurance or certification of self-insurance. Ask for the certificate before work starts, and check that it is current for the company that attends the job.
Workers' compensation insurance pays for injuries to workers on the job. A roofing crew works at height, so this is one of the most important things a homeowner can check. Ask for a copy of the certificate and check its dates.
The certificate protects the people working on your roof and reduces the chance that an injury on your property becomes a question for you. Ask the crew to confirm in writing which company carries the certificate and that it covers the people who will be on the roof.
What should a written roof contract include?
A written roof contract should set out the scope, the materials, the flashing and penetrations, the deck allowance, the permit position, the cleanup and the approval step for any change. It should name the company that attends and the license that covers the work.
The scope should list each part of the work in plain terms, with the area of the roof and the number of layers to be removed. A line that says the roof will be replaced with no detail is not a scope, and the homeowner should ask for it to be expanded before signing.
The contract should also say how a change in scope is handled, who holds the permit, what happens if the deck needs more work than was allowed for and how the homeowner approves that work. Each of these points prevents a dispute later.
Who holds the permit and the insurance for the work?
The company that does the work should confirm in writing who holds the permit and the license for the job, and that it keeps its own insurance for its crew. Whose obligation it is should be clear from the contract, and the homeowner should not have to guess.
A permit question is part of the scope. The crew should say whether a permit is needed and who will apply for it. The company that does the work is responsible for the permit and the license the job requires.
The insurance question is separate. Ask what insurance the company carries for its own work and its crew. The homeowner should ask for this in writing, since a verbal assurance is hard to check later.
A roofing contract that leaves the permit to the homeowner should say so in writing, with the reason. If the homeowner is to apply, the crew should say what it needs from the homeowner, such as the property address and the owner's contact details, and what it will do itself. A clear split of that responsibility is one of the most useful lines in a contract.
Is it a warning sign when a crew asks for a lot up front?
A contract should state the payment steps in writing before any work is ordered. A crew that asks for the full price before any scope is written, or that will not put its terms in writing, is a reason to slow down and check the license before going further.
Payment steps should be tied to the stages of the work, with the approval point for each one stated. A sound contract explains what is paid and when, and it does not start the work until the homeowner has approved the scope.
A homeowner who feels pressed to sign quickly should ask for a copy of the contract to be left for review. A reputable crew accepts that request and answers the questions it is asked.
What do I do if the crew's details do not check out?
If the license number, the classification or the workers' compensation certificate cannot be confirmed, do not sign the contract. Ask the crew for a corrected set of details in writing, and check them again. If a problem remains, the Contractors State License Board is the body to contact.
Keep a copy of every document the crew gives you, including the license number, the certificate and the written scope. A set of documents that is complete and consistent is a good sign. One that changes between visits is a reason to stop.
The Contractors State License Board handles complaints about licensed contractors. A homeowner with a dispute about the work or the business should keep the written record and contact the Board with it. Ask for a corrected set of details in writing and check them again before deciding anything else.
Which questions should a homeowner ask on the first call?
On the first call, ask for the contractor license number and the classification, the business name and address, a copy of the workers' compensation certificate and whether the company does its own roofing work. The answers show whether the next step is worth taking.
Ask the caller to repeat the license number and the business name, and write both down. Ask which company will attend, and whether any part of the job will be done by another company. The answers should match the license you check later, so the first call is a good place to catch a mismatch.
Ask how the visit will be scoped and when the written quote will arrive. A crew that can answer these questions plainly on the first call is more likely to put its terms in writing later. A caller who is vague about the license or the insurance should be asked again before any visit is booked.
Frequently asked questions
What does C-39 mean?
C-39 is the roofing contractor classification issued by the Contractors State License Board. It shows that the license covers roofing work. A homeowner should see the classification on the license before any roof work starts.
Where do I check the license number?
Use the Contractors State License Board lookup and enter the number. Check that the business name, the status and the classification match what the crew has given you. A mismatch is a reason to ask more questions before signing.
Is a workers' compensation certificate required for a small crew?
Every licensed contractor must hold a current certificate of workers' compensation insurance or certification of self-insurance. Ask for the certificate for the company that attends, and check its dates before work starts.
Can I ask for the license number at any time?
Yes. The number is a basic detail of the business. Ask for it when you call, before the crew visits, and again before you sign. A crew that gives it readily is showing you the first sign of a sound business.
What if the crew subcontracts part of the work?
Ask the company that attends to name every subcontractor in writing and confirm that each one is licensed for the work it does. Ask for the workers' compensation certificate for each one that will be on the roof.
Who can I contact about a roofing contract dispute?
The Contractors State License Board handles complaints about licensed contractors. Keep the signed contract, the scope, the license number and any written changes, and contact the Board with that record.
What if the company changes its name?
Ask for the new license details before signing, and check the new name with the Contractors State License Board. A change of name should not change the work or the workers' compensation cover, and the crew should confirm both in writing.
Is a verbal assurance enough?
No. The license, the certificate, the scope and the permit position should all be on paper before work starts. A verbal assurance cannot be checked later, and a homeowner who relies on one has nothing to show if the work goes wrong.
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This guide is general information for San Bernardino County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.