Hiring a roofer is one of the most significant home improvement decisions you’ll make. A roof replacement is a five-figure investment that protects everything underneath it. Get it right, and you won’t think about your roof again for 25–30 years. Get it wrong, and you could be dealing with leaks, voided warranties, and costly repairs within a few years.
Here’s exactly how to find a licensed, qualified roofing contractor in the Myrtle Beach area — and the questions you need to ask before signing anything.
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Step 1: Verify Licensing Before Anything Else
In South Carolina, residential roofing contractors are required to hold a license through the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board. You can verify any contractor’s license status at llr.sc.gov — just search their company name or license number.
Never hire a roofer who can’t provide their SC contractor license number. This is non-negotiable. Unlicensed contractors can’t pull permits, and work done without permits can create problems when you sell your home or make an insurance claim.
Step 2: Check Insurance — General Liability and Workers’ Comp
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance before work begins. A legitimate roofing contractor should carry:
- General Liability Insurance — covers damage to your property if something goes wrong
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance — covers workers if they’re injured on your property. Without it, you could be liable for a worker’s medical costs.
Ask the contractor to have their insurance company send the certificate directly to you — not a copy from the contractor. This ensures it’s current.
Step 3: Look for Local Reputation
After a major storm, the Myrtle Beach area gets flooded with storm chasers — contractors from out of state who follow hurricanes and tropical systems to pick up quick work. They’re here today and gone before you discover problems with their installation.
A local contractor with an established presence in Horry County has real skin in the game. Their reputation lives here. They’re not going anywhere. Check Google reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and ask neighbors or local Facebook groups for recommendations.
Step 4: Get At Least Three Written Estimates
Never accept a verbal quote. Get written estimates that break down:
- The specific shingle being used (manufacturer, product line, color)
- Underlayment type and specification
- Decking replacement policy (what happens if damaged decking is found)
- Flashing replacement (valleys, pipe boots, drip edge)
- Ventilation assessment and any recommended changes
- Cleanup and haul-away of old materials
- Warranty — both manufacturer and workmanship
If a contractor won’t give you a written, itemized estimate — walk away.
Questions to Ask Every Roofer
- “Are you licensed with the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board?”
- “Can you send me your Certificate of Insurance directly from your agent?”
- “How many roofs have you replaced in Horry County in the last 12 months?”
- “Will you pull the required permit for this job?”
- “What is your workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?”
- “Who will be on my roof — your own employees or subcontractors?”
- “Can you provide references from jobs completed in the last 6 months?”
Red Flags to Watch For
- Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm
- Requests for large upfront deposits (more than 10–15% is unusual)
- No physical address or local office
- Pressure to sign same day
- Price that seems dramatically lower than all other estimates
- Contractor offers to waive your insurance deductible (this is insurance fraud in SC)
Why Grand Strand Homeowners Choose Klaus Roofing
Klaus Roofing is a locally rooted contractor serving the Myrtle Beach area and all of Horry and Georgetown Counties. We’re licensed, fully insured, and have built our reputation one roof at a time across neighborhoods from Conway to Pawleys Island. We pull permits on every job, use quality materials, and stand behind our work with a written workmanship warranty.
When you call us for a free inspection, there’s no pressure and no obligation. We tell you what we see and what we’d recommend — honestly.
