Locating local roofing installers you can trust can appear like a daunting task. In terms of something as costly as a roof top replacement, we all would like to know that we’re getting the best people for the job.
1. Choose a roofer who is certified.
Would you settle for a plumber, restaurant, or doctor that is just “average” or has “decent” standards? That’s not going to cut it if you’re going to spend $10,000 or more on a roof that protects your home from the elements. A roofing company should be able to provide the highest quality roofing services for something as important and costly as your roof.
It can be difficult to find businesses that hold high standards. However, the best roofers are focused on excellent materials, craftsmanship, and training employees. They’re happy to share their processes and decisions with you because they’re confident that they’re providing you with an excellent roof. They understand how important it is to be transparent with their customers throughout the roofing process.
If you’re wondering whether a not a roofer has high standards for their work, just ask them. It only takes a few questions to understand if a roofer has high standards — and in turn, if they meet yours.
2. Get a roofer made of high-quality materials
Even if you have the best installation team on the planet, cheap roofing materials just won’t stand up to the elements. Here in the South, high humidity, heavy rain, tropical storms, and even hurricanes can put your roof to the test — and low-end roofing shingles, nails, and the like just won’t be able to protect your home in the short-term or the long-term.
Learn about the roofing materials available before you hire someone to replace your roof. Are they wind-resistant? Are they anti-algae? Are they fire-resistant Are they resistant to UV rays and fire? When it comes to roofing materials, you can’t ask too many questions — grill your potential roofers to make sure the shingles they’re using are up to snuff.
3. Look for a roofer who has a great online reputation.
Be careful not to believe everything you read on the internet. Not all reviews and review sites will be equal. Sites like Yelp! have users that give much lower ratings than other sites, and that’s because they profit on people who need a sounding board for negative feelings. Consider this: Are you more likely than others to leave a review about a good experience or a bad one?
It’s only natural for people to vent their frustrations on review sites. However, just because someone has a complaint about a business doesn’t mean it’s a bad business. Many reviews could call out roofing professionals online because of a misunderstanding or a mistake, and that’s not necessarily a cause for concern.
It’s when you notice patterns within the reviews that you should worry. Negative patterns of behavior, like a roofer using cheap products, not communicating clearly, lying, or having high-pressure sales tactics could be — and should be — enough to scare you away.
Check Google, The BBB, Angie’s List, Top Rated Local, and other relatively neutral review sites to see what your friends and neighbors have to say about local roofers, and don’t forget to take in the entire story before making a decision on your next roofer contractor.
4. Make sure you choose a roofer who has the right licenses and insurance.
Licenses and insurance protect homeowners and roofers in a variety of situations — it’s the only thing standing between you and disaster if something goes wrong during the roofing process. That’s why it’s crucial for any roofer you work with to a) have licenses and insurance and b) have them on hand at all times.
Let us be clear: if your roofer doesn’t carry licenses or insurance, find a new roofer. You should ask them for the documents if they are not willing to provide them. If they “misplaced” the documents but will bring them by once they start the roofing job, find a new roofer. Your home is too valuable to be left in the hands of unlicensed and uninsured roofing contractors.
5. Trust Your Neighbors and Friends to Choose a Roofer
Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding when it comes to a roofer’s quality of work — and that means there’s only one group of people you can trust with roofing opinions: your friends and neighbors who have gone through the roofing process.
If your next-door neighbors and your sister both chose Roofer A, and they’re both having water leak problems with their new roofs, there’s a very good chance that you should avoid Roofer A. Roofer B might be a good option if your coworkers all chose Roofer B at least five to six years ago. They love their roofs.
Your friends and neighbors shouldn’t be your only source of information about local roofers, but their first-hand experiences provide you with empirical evidence that can help you make the best decision possible for your home.
Are you unsure about the roofing company? Ask your neighbors for their real-life experiences. The community is what makes roofers great!
6. Look for a roofer that offers excellent warranties.
The best roofing contractors give their customers manufacturer warranties that protect the roofing products and labor warranties that protect against improper installation. These warranties ensure that, if anything goes wrong with your shingles due to the fault of the manufacturer or the roofer, you’re covered.
Warranty can mean different things to different roofers. Some roofers will offer you the world in warranties, but they won’t be around to honor them. That’s why it’s incredibly important to choose a local roofer with product and installation warranties for maximum protection.
7. Select a roofer who can manage your project on-site.
Most roofing companies have a salesperson who doubles as a project manager — and they’re always stretched thin with multiple jobs at once. This leaves you free to oversee the entire roofing installation process. If you’re paying thousands of dollars to get a new roof, you shouldn’t have to lift a finger for the job to get done.
The best roofing companies will have a project manager on-site at all time to ensure everything is running smoothly. They act as both a quality control tool and are available to answer your questions.
Ask your potential roofing company questions about their on-site project managers before you sign the contract. It could save you a lot of trouble down the line!
. Choose a Roofer with a Great Culture and Staff.
Would you work hard if your boss didn’t appreciate you? Roofers who aren’t appreciated by their boss won’t work hard to give you a great roof, and why should they? Unstable work environments can make it difficult for anyone to do their job well.
That’s why it’s important to learn about the culture of a roofing company before you pay them for their services. Are they happy with their employees? Do they look at you? Are they able answer any questions you might have about roofing? Does it seem like they’re having fun?
Not every roofing company is going to whistle while they work, and that’s fine. But if roofers seems sad, disengaged, or are even making negative comments about their work while they work, there’s a chance you should’ve chosen a different company to get the job done.
When choosing a roofing contractor, look out for friendly and positive employees as well as a great environment. Your roof can benefit from a positive attitude!
9. Partner with a Roofer That Works.
A high-quality hometown roofer should be dedicated to giving back to their community — and that usually happens in the form of partnerships with community organizations or other strong, reputable businesses in your area. You usually won’t have to ask your roofer about these partnerships — they’re probably a big part of their marketing and PR efforts already.
Birds of the same feather flock together. Find a roofing contractor who works with other great businesses in the community — it’s a sign they offer a high quality product and even better service.
10. Select A Roofer That Does More Than Just What You Expect.
The most important thing is to find a roofer that cares about details and is passionate about what they do. You need someone who loves to learn about roofing materials, curb appeal, and other aspects of the trade. You don’t want negative Google reviews to be personal. You want someone who’s dedicated to making their community better.
Go with your gut — if you find someone with proven experience and an energetic, helpful vibe, they might just be the perfect roofer for you! Wouldn’t you rather put your roof in the hands of someone who is engaged and passionate? This could make the difference between a roof that lasts or one that is falling apart.
Choose Your Leading Residential Roofing Experts
It’s hard to find a roofing team that fits the bill and offers you a great mix of quality, affordability, customer service, and reliability. It takes extensive research, many phone calls with potential roofers, as well as trusting your gut. It is now much easier to find a roofing contractor.