Your roof is the crowning jewel of your home, and the last thing you want to have happen is damage or poor workmanship. To help you avoid these problems, you will need to hire the right roofing contractor. Whether you’re repairing a hole or getting an entirely new roof put on, a high-quality roofing contractor matters.
Read on to learn how to choose a roofing company, including what you need to look for in a roof contractor, red flags to avoid, and the must-ask questions before you sign a contract.
What to Look for in a Roof Contractor
To make finding a good contractor easy, here are some must-have requirements to know about upfront:
- Licensing and certifications. Check that they’re legitimate and that they have the state-specific requirements for your area. Take it one step further and choose a contractor with expertise in your state, so you don’t have to worry about licensing.
- Insurance coverage. Make sure that the company you choose has liability and workers’ compensation coverage for its employees.
- Years of experience in roofing. Pick someone with local knowledge who knows your area and the roofing industry inside and out.
- Manufacturer certifications. Choose a contractor that’s using high-quality manufacturers and materials, so you get a long-lasting roof. For example, check that your contractor has GAF, Owens Corning, or metal roofing certifications, depending on the roof you want.
Questions to Ask before Hiring
In an initial conversation with a potential contractor, you’ll want to ask a few questions to get an idea of their experience and how they’ll handle potential issues? Here are a few to get you started:
- “Are you licensed and insured?”— This question helps you determine if they’re a legitimate contractor with the right paperwork in place.
- “Do you provide a written estimate?”— You don’t want to jump into a full project without understanding what it’s going to cost and where those expenses will come from.
- “What warranties do you offer on labor and materials?”— In case something happens, knowing that you’re covered can help give you peace of mind.
- “Can I see examples of your past work?”— One of the most important questions, so you can really envision how your future roof will look.
How to Compare Roofing Estimates
Once you have a couple of estimates, you’ll want to compare them to determine which contractor is offering you what you need. One important detail is that the lowest bid isn’t always the best choice. You want to balance cost with expertise and experience as well. Sometimes, if you choose the cheapest option, you’ll end up getting what you paid for, and you could end up with roofing damage or other problems that are more hassle and cost than you ever anticipated. Instead, choose a contractor that has experience, expertise, and a great track record—that also offers a good price.
Checking Reviews, References & Reputation
Since you need a reputable contractor, how do you determine a company’s reputation? These are a few ways to go about finding great contractors:
- Online reviews (Google, BBB, Yelp, Angie’s List). Get online and read positive and negative reviews for local contractors. In particular, check the negative reviews and see exactly why people had a bad experience. If they’re having issues because the contractor damaged their roof, took drastically longer than planned, deviated from the contract, or anything that would make for a bad experience for you, that’s good to know upfront. You can use the reviews to weed those companies out and find ones that have very positive reviews.
- Ask for referrals from neighbors, family, or friends. Another great way to find a contractor is to get word-of-mouth recommendations from people you trust. Ask your neighbors whose roof you love, who did theirs, and get their honest opinion on the experience.
Common Red Flags to Avoid
If you come across these kinds of red flags, avoid that contractor:
- Contractors who require full payment up front. You should be able to pay a deposit and then in payments to cover the expense. If a contractor is demanding full payment up front, there’s likely something questionable happening.
- Vague contracts or lack of written agreements. You need a signed contract with your contractor to protect you both and make sure you’re covered if something happens. Don’t choose a contractor who doesn’t offer you a contract, and don’t sign a contract that’s vague.
- No physical office or local presence. You want to be able to meet the people you’re going to work with. A physical office also helps you check that they’re legitimate.
- High-pressure sales tactics. If you’re hearing phrases like, “Sign today or lose the deal,” avoid that contractor. A legitimate, qualified contractor will work with you and help ease you into a deal instead of pressuring you.
Steps to Take before Signing a Contract
Once you’ve picked a contractor, but before you sign anything, take these steps:
- Double-check HOA rules and city building codes. You’ll want to make sure you’re not violating any laws or regulations in your area. Again, choosing a contractor with local expertise will help ease your burden here.
- Review contract details line by line. Make sure there’s no hidden costs or clauses that could leave you in a lurch. Read everything closely and make sure you understand it all before signing.
- Clarify cleanup and disposal responsibilities. Who’s taking care of each step of the cleanup? Make sure you know that ahead of time, so you can make sure that’s in line with your expectations.
- Confirm start and finish dates. This lets you both be on the same page and make sure everything is in line before starting.
Final Tips for Choosing with Confidence
Having a good contractor can help you have a longer-lasting roof with fewer repairs through the years. You also get better warranty protection through your contractor. In addition, your home will look beautiful, which boosts your home value and curb appeal. And you can have peace of mind knowing your roof is in good hands!
Before taking the plunge, consider these few tips:
- Visit ongoing projects to see work quality. You can ask the potential contractors if you can see ongoing work to gauge quality and determine if they’d be a good fit for you.
- Get at least 3 estimates before deciding. Don’t just pick one and go for it. Shop around and compare prices, levels of expertise, and years of experience to pick the right one for your home.
- Choose professionalism and transparency over price alone. You need a high-quality contractor that cares about your home like it’s their own, and you need to know all the details before signing a contract. Those matter as much as price, so balance all of those factors instead of just choosing the cheapest.
- Consider calling Stratus Roofing for a free roof inspection or estimate. We’ll send our team out to give you a detailed and transparent estimate you can rely on. We’re local Utah experts with two decades of experience, so we know your area and will take care of you and your home.
Ready to get started with a roofing contractor you trust? Get a free, no-obligation estimate today and make your roofing project stress-free.
