Finding the right roofing contractor may be frustrating.
You want to find a reliable, affordable, and experienced professional. However, with 96,474 roofing contractors registered nationwide, it’s challenging to make a wise decision.
Here’s the deal…
Most homeowners make expensive mistakes when hiring contractors. They either hire the cheapest one or get caught up in a sales pitch. And before they know it, they get subpar workmanship, delays, and thousands in unexpected costs.
This article teaches you how to spot the best roofing contractor that can do the work right the first time.
What you’ll learn:
- Warning Signs That Say “Run from This Contractor”
- Key Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask
- Verifying Credentials of a Contractor
Beware of these Huge Warning Signs
Before we get into how to find good contractors, let’s look at the bad ones.
Door-to-door salesmen are a clear and immediate red flag. Good contractors never need to knock on doors to drum up business. In fact, people that conduct their business in this manner are known as “storm chasers.” This involves waiting for severe weather to hit a state and heading in after the storms. Once they arrive, they prey on unsuspecting homeowners offering to fix their roofs and charge them large sums of money for roofing services.
Don’t trust a contractor who:
- Asks for full payment upfront
- Will waive your insurance deductible
- Gives a verbal estimate
- Fails to show you licensing
- Pressures you to sign the contract “today”
The reason why? Insurance fraud takes place in around 10% of property claims, which leads to billions of dollars in losses annually. Sadly, there are numerous roofing contractors that target unsuspecting homeowners to commit insurance fraud.
Begin with Licensing and Insurance
To be a legal contractor, one needs two essential things, a license and insurance.
But that’s where it becomes a little tricky…
The problem is that some states don’t require roofers to be licensed. Instead, they must possess a general contractor’s license. And other states have roofing licenses that require an endorsement before you can do any roofing work. Before you hire a contractor, make sure to check your local state contractor’s licensing agency. So that you get to know the type of roofing contractor you are looking for.
Inquire for the following:
- License numbers (You can verify them online)
- General liability insurance certificates
- Worker’s compensation cover
Tip: You can call the insurance company to verify that the cover exists. Insurance certificates can easily be forged, but a phone call will verify it to you.
Get Multiple Detailed Quotes
One of the most crucial steps is that homeowners should always get a minimum of three quotes. Doing so will help you get an idea of the fair prices and will allow you to detect any possible problem.
Here’s what each quote should include:
- Itemized material costs
- Breakdown of labor costs
- A timeline for completion
- Warranty
Good contractors will provide you with a written estimate within a few days. Be very suspicious of any contractor that immediately gives you a quote or appears to be too cheap.
A reputable roofing contractor will thoroughly examine your roof and perform measurements before quoting you. They will explain to you the work you need done.
Ask the Right Questions
Don’t make any hiring decisions without first asking the questions below.
About their business:
- How long have you been in business in this location?
- Can you provide three recent customer references?
- What is your Better Business Bureau rating?
About the project:
- What roofing materials do you recommend and why?
- How do you intend to protect my property during the work?
- Do you handle all the permit applications for me?
About warranties:
- What manufacturer warranties are available?
- Do you offer any workmanship guarantees?
Good contractors will confidently answer all your questions. If you find that some answers are evasive, run.
Check References and Online Reviews
The best way to know about a contractor’s work quality and reliability is by speaking to past customers.
Ask for at least 5 recent customer references and contact them. Most homeowners skip this crucial step and regret it later.
Ask references:
- Was the work completed on time?
- Did they stay within your budget?
- Would you hire them again?
You can also check reviews online through Google, Yelp, and the BBB website. Try to find if there are similar complaints or praises.
Understand Payment Terms
There are no good contractors that will ask you for a huge upfront payment.
Standard payment schedules typically involve:
- Small deposit to order materials (10-15%)
- Progress payments during the job
- Final payment upon completion
Avoid paying the entire amount before the work starts. This can help you if you find any issue with their workmanship.
Read Contracts Carefully
Get everything in writing and be wary of verbal promises. Verbal agreements will lead to contract disputes, legal headaches, and project delays.
Your contract should specify:
- The exact materials and quantities
- Labor costs and timeline
- Change order procedures
- Cleanup and site restoration
Never sign any document that you don’t understand or feel comfortable with. Reputable contractors are more than willing to answer all your questions and explain all the terms to you.
Verify Local Knowledge
You want a contractor that has the best knowledge of your locality. This entails knowledge of the weather, building codes, and permit requirements.
Local contractors also have supplier relationships and know local inspectors. This results in a smooth process and an easy time fixing any problem that may arise.
Plus, local contractors:
- They care about their community reputation
- They are easy to find if you have any warranty issues
- They understand local roofing problems
Out-of-state contractors may lack this critical information.
Experience and Specialization
Each type of roofing project has its specialization. Installing asphalt shingles on steep slopes require different skills than flat commercial roofs or metal roofs.
You need to work with contractors that have experience with your specific type of roof. Ask to see photos of similar completed jobs and get references from those projects specifically.
Also consider:
- Years of experience with your roofing material
- Training certifications from manufacturers
- Safety records and procedures
Communication Skills
Great contractors are great communicators.
They return your phone calls promptly, explain technical problems in simple language, and keep you informed. Watch out for poor communication skills. It will most likely point to other issues down the line.
Pay attention to:
- Response time to your inquiries
- Clarity of explanations
- Willingness to answer questions
- Professional appearance and attitude
If you’re having a hard time reaching them during the sales process, you will definitely have communication problems later.
Making Your Final Choice
When all is said and done, trust your gut feeling.
The lowest bid is not always the best value. Instead, consider the total package. Experience, communication, warranty, and your overall comfort level with the contractor are some of the aspects to consider.
Choose the contractor who:
- Who provides the most complete quote?
- Who answers your questions to your satisfaction?
- Who has the best references and reviews?
- Who do you have confidence in to do the job?
The Bottom Line
Finding a good roofing contractor will need you to put in some work.
By doing a little bit of research, you will be saved from scams, having issues with permits, inferior workmanship, and even theft. Always remember that your roof is a major investment. As such, it is not a project to entrust to just anyone.
Need the best results? Begin looking for a contractor before you need one, make sure you have everything written down, and hire based on value and not price.
You will be thankful later that you did your homework now.
