If you need roof repairs or a new roof after the October wildfires, do your homework first. And make sure your contractor has done homework, too.

Mike Rochholz, owner of Escondido's Sequoia Roofers, stressed what all contractors have been publicly urging those affected by the fires to do -- check the worker's license with the state board. "From workman's compensation insurance to integrity, it is important to do your research," he said.

Because of this area's varied climate, San Diego roofing contractors are a specialized group. Between arid desert to damp coast, they must be as intimately aware of the meteorological differences as they are of the city roofing codes.

The San Diego Roofing Contractors Association recommends using its membership. After a rigorous screening process, the organization refers customers only to proven businesses.

The state has made the search for roofing materials easy: Any new construction must possess a roof with A-rated material. "That's the standard fire rating. It means it's a fire retardant," said Rochholz, a member of the roofing association. "There are also B and C ratings. They are mostly made of wood. But concrete tile, clay tile and composition shingles are all A rated."

Another aspect to watch for in rebuilding in terms of roofing is minimizing the overhang area as it meets the house.

"All those tile roofs are class-A roofs, required of all new state construction," said Carlsbad Fire Marshal James Weigand. "But you can have a roof like that and still lose your home if the wooden eaves are exposed underneath the bottom of it. That's why in new construction, we recommend you box those eaves and just have stucco there. That will provide additional fire resistance."

City zoning codes changed after the 2003 fires in the hopes of phasing out a roofing fire hazard -- lumber. If a homeowner has only a portion of the roof to repair after the fires, new laws have introduced limits.

"The city only allows you to repair roofing with 25 percent of the old product, whatever it was," said Rochholz. "But the remainder must fit into the A-rated categories."

But consumers using the mandated materials for new construction can live comfortably under their roofs, knowing it also serves as a fire retardant. From a design standpoint, from concrete to clay to shingles, today's standards demand that they all slow fires.

"You're not going to see a lot of difference in terms of fire protection between them," Rochholz said. "They all carry an A rating."

Rochholz was particularly proud of the changes made in roofing in terms of its role in keeping fire from spreading from roof to roof. "A lot of the venting that is done now in the roof construction will draw air into the bottom of the roofs and out the top so you ventilate," he said. "What often happened during the fires, the embers went in the ventilation area and burned from the inside out, in a way, containing the burn."

What will be common to those rebuilding during the recovery process is that building codes in numerous household areas have changed since the homes were built. Those differences will surprise many homeowners, but, Rochholz stressed, all alterations have resulted in saving structures and lives.

"The standards today are not what they were 20 years ago when many of these tiles had been attached to the houses that burned," he said. "We will be going and putting a lot of those class-A tiles on people's roofs in the coming months."

Joel D. Amos is a freelance writer.

Tips by Construction Referral Inc. for finding quality contractors:

1. Hire a state licensed contractor.

2. Verify the contractors license with the Contractors State License Board by calling (800) 321-CSLB; or online at http://www.cslb.ca.gov.

3. Get at least three written estimates before choosing a contractor.

4. Before hiring a contractor, check at least three references of previous work completed.

5. Make sure your agreement is in writing and you understand the terms.

6. Maximum down payment should be 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, with the exception of pools.

7. Pay for works as it's completed. Don't let payments get ahead of the work.

8. Don't make payments in cash.

9. Keep a project file with all documents relating to your project, including a payment record.

10. Don't make your final payment until you are satisfied with the completed work.

What to ask before choosing a roofing contractor:

- Does the contractor have a current roofing contractor's license (C-39) issued by the state of California and a current city license (where applicable)?

- Does the contractor have both liability and workers' compensation insurance, and can the company furnish the original certificates of insurance for each? (Photocopies should not be accepted.)

- Can the company provide a list of former customers?

- Is the contractor a member of the San Diego Roofing Contractors' Association? If not, why?

- Is payment upon completion? Never give full payment until the job is completed. The law states that the contractor can receive only 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.

- Will the contractor furnish a written contract with explicit payment instructions and total price?

- Does the contractor have a start and completion date?

- Will the contractor furnish you with his own written guarantee?

- Will the contractor furnish you with a manufacturer's warranty?

- Is your contractor going to obtain the required roofing permits? Be leery of the contractor who asks you to obtain such permits.

Professional roofing contractors should be able to provide the following:

- A permanent place of business that includes a permanent address, telephone number, tax identification number, California Roofing Contractor's license, and where appropriate, a city business license.

- Proof of current liability and workers' compensation insurance.

- References on previous customers and jobs.

- Warranties that cover both workmanship and materials.

- A list of completed projects that include the project, owner, architect and contact person.

-- Courtesy of the San Diego Roofing Contractors Association