A roof is one of the most important parts of a house. It serves as the first line of defense against high winds, storms, rain, excessive sunshine and even thefts.
So, when it's time for a roof repair, new installation, or roof replacement, it's highly important to choose a qualified roofing contractor.
But with so many roofing contractors and companies out there, getting a professional, trustworthy and reliable roofer may sometimes prove to be a challenge. So, how do you ensure that you hire the right roofing contractor? Well, here are some tips for choosing the best roofers around you.
Hire Local
When it's time to hire a roofing contractor, it's highly advisable to hire an individual or company from your local area. Hiring a local contractor comes with numerous benefits that you may not get if you hire someone from outside.
First, the majority of local roofing companies are family-owned and offer personal attention to each client to ensure the utmost customer satisfaction.
Second, a local roofer will respond to your issues faster than someone from outside your neighborhood. If you are dealing with someone from outside your local area, you will have to wait for days or even weeks. And as you probably know, some roofing issues can't wait.1
Ask Your Colleagues, Friends or Family for Recommendations
One of the easiest ways to narrow down your options is to ask for recommendations from your friends or family.
If your loved ones had engaged the roofer's services in the recent past, they would give you honest recommendations of the companies they have hired. From those recommendations, you can then create a list of roofers with whom you feel comfortable working.
Check Online Reviews
As much as your loved ones may provide glowing recommendations of the roofers they've worked with, it doesn't hurt to conduct further due diligence.
So, once you've created a list of some potential roofers that you feel comfortable working with, you should then go ahead and check their reviews online. Online reviews will give you a clearer indication of the roofer's workmanship, expertise, experience as well as how they deal with their clients. Google is a great starting point, as most of the reviews on Google will be legitimate.
If a roofing contractor has BBB accreditation, it's highly likely that they handle customer complaints well.2
Check Licensing
While some states may not require roofing contractors to hold a license, it's highly advisable to choose a roofer with all the required licensing.
If a roofer has professional licensing, then it means that they have passed examinations and other assessments. Hence, they will be more qualified to do a roofing job, as opposed to someone who hasn't passed those examinations and assessments.3
Ask for Workmanship Warranties
Professional roofers should be ready to stand behind their work. And this is where workmanship warranties come in. However, don't rush to choose a roofer just because they promise to offer a longer workmanship warranty than the industry standard.
It's also important to note that there is a difference between workmanship warranties and material warranties. Normally the roofing contractor will offer a workmanship warranty while the manufacturer will offer a material warranty. So, if you are hiring a roofer, make sure you request a copy of each warranty, read and understand them.
Request a Free Quotation
A professional and reliable roofer should be ready and willing to offer you a free, no-obligation estimate after an in-person site visit. If the roofer insists on offering an estimate via the phone, then you should move on to the next one.
An over-the-phone estimate will not be accurate.
It's equally important to ensure that all the project details, including the estimate, are in writing. If a particular roofer is unwilling to commit to a written contract, then their professionalism and reliability are in doubt.
Evaluate their Communication Skills
While roofing is more of a technical skill, it helps to hire a roofer who can communicate well. It doesn't matter how experienced or skilled a roofer is. If they are poor communicators, then you will not have a smooth working relationship.
So, before you delve deeper into the project, you should first assess how well they respond to your initial inquiries. Do they answer calls right away? Do they respond to emails promptly? Did they send the estimate or requested paperwork on time? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you should not work with such individuals or contractors.
Final Thoughts
Hiring the best roofing contractor doesn't have to be a complicated or time-consuming process. By following the above tips, you will find a competent and professional roofing contractor, who you can rely on to get the job done right, the first time.
- https://www.angieslist.com/articles/6-tips-choosing-roofing-contractor.htm[↩]
- https://www.trustatrader.com/roofers-roofing[↩]
- https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/hiring-a-roofer/[↩]
