@LW Goatman
Play by the rules. Pay your deductible.
Show the contractor you like your scope of loss as that is what you will have to ultimately pay the roof for. Getting 3 bids to find the least expensive is a waste of time and unnecessary. You can shop for the most upgrades within the scope of loss value. Nothin wrong with that. (Note: if you have no mortgage on your house then you’re in a different status and the rules are a bit different).
Local roofing contractor is best. Nothing wrong with door knockers. Local companies do it, too.
Have prospective RCs provide a copy of their workmanship warranty PRIOR to inking contract. Look for limitation of damages equal to roofing contract price language. That is a no go.
PRIOR to commencement of work, your RC needs to provide an insurance certificate to you. It should list his general liability coverage, commercial auto coverage and workers comp coverage. For most residential RCs, the second 2 will be more difficult to attain.
Call the listed GL carrier (you can get contact info from producing agent listed on the certificate) and ask if coverage is in force, is the insured classified for roofing operations and is products and completed operations included in coverage. Proper classification and P/CO inclusion is the most important part of coverage and the priciest.
You’d be shocked at the amount of storm chaser RCs (SUPERTEX CONSTRUCTION and Roofing) that have improperly classified operations (running roofing operations through carpentry or painting or siding classification) to save money and then coverage is not applied when a claim is made.
Good luck