How to Choose Roofers in Des Moines, Iowa (Without Getting Burned)

Every hailstorm brings two waves to Des Moines: first the ice, then the out-of-state pickups with magnetic door signs. Some are legitimate surge crews; some will be gone before your shingles are. Here's how metro homeowners separate them in one afternoon.

1. Verify the Iowa contractor registration

Every contractor doing more than $2,000 of work in Iowa must register with the Iowa Division of Labor. Ask for the registration number and check it on the state's public lookup. No number, no job — this one check removes most storm-chasers.

2. Demand certificate of insurance — from the insurer

Liability plus workers' comp, with the certificate sent to you directly from the insurance agent, not photographed from the truck. If a worker is hurt on your roof and the roofer's comp coverage is fake, Iowa law can put that liability on you.

3. A scope, not a number

A real Des Moines quote lists tear-off layers, decking contingency per sheet, ice-and-water shield coverage, underlayment type, shingle brand and line, flashing replacement, ventilation, cleanup and magnet sweep. One line that says "Roof — $14,500" is how change-orders are born.

4. Deposit discipline

Normal in the metro: 10–30% at signing, balance on completion. Walk away from anyone wanting half or more up front, and never pay cash. After storms, Iowa's attorney general warns specifically about door-to-door crews collecting deposits for work that never starts.

5. Two warranties, in writing

The manufacturer covers the shingle (25–50 years, but only if installed to spec by qualified crews); the roofer covers workmanship. Five to ten years of written workmanship coverage is the metro standard — "we stand behind our work" is not a warranty.

The question that ends bad bids

Ask: "Who actually installs my roof — your employees or a sub, and who supervises?" Subcontracting is normal; evasion about it is not. A legitimate roofer answers in one sentence and names the site lead.

Or skip the vetting entirely: every crew in our network is pre-checked for registration, insurance and written-scope quoting. Start the free inspection — it costs nothing to compare against the bids you already have, and the Des Moines page covers local pricing in detail.

Quick answers

Are door-knocking roofers after a storm always a scam?

No — legitimate surge crews follow major storms too. The filters are the same: Iowa registration, verifiable insurance, written scope, local references and normal deposit terms.

Should I get multiple roofing bids in Des Moines?

Two or three written scopes is the sweet spot. Compare the systems specified, not just totals — a bid $2,000 lower that omits ice-and-water shield and decking contingency is not actually lower.

Can a roofer waive my insurance deductible?

No — deductible rebating is illegal under Iowa's post-storm consumer protections. A roofer offering to 'eat the deductible' is committing insurance fraud with your name on the claim.