If the tree is living then those roots need to breathe- you will smother that tree. Redesign the sod plan and leave an adequate area around the tree free of sod.
If the tree is dead dig out the roots and prep the area properly before laying the sod.

So yes, call them back.

Thank you for your response. Wow I didn't think of that, so thank you for alerting me. I promptly started researching articles about exposed roots, but after initially being quite alarmed, I'm wondering if it would do so much harm if the area of grass under the tree is only less than a quarter 'pie slice' of the surrounding of the tree, with the rest being natural, the pine straw droppings are left in place as mulch, also immediately around the trunk, maybe 3-4' radius only mulch. The exposed roots are, I believe, mostly due to erosion. On the other hand, I'd hate to loose this old growth 50+' loblolly pine with a trunk circumference that requires two people to reach around.