8 Tips for Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor

Is it time to start thinking about having a  new roof installed on your house? Has your old roof started to leak? Or, is it starting to develop some soft spots and wear and you want to prevent a leak from happening? A roof is a big investment. Roofs are not cheap. However, when a roof is installed by a high-quality roofing contractor using durable materials, it can last for 30 years or more.

When it is time for a new roof, it is very important to find the right roof replacement contractor. You want to make sure you find someone qualified, skilled, and trustworthy to ensure that your new roof will last and provide you with years of use. We have compiled a list of eight tips to help you find the best roofing contractor for installing your new roof.

Before hiring a contractor to install a new roof, confirm that they are licensed and insured. All major, reputable companies should be licensed and carry insurance for their workers. If a company you are considering is not licensed or insured, it should be a red flag, and you should look elsewhere.

If you are considering hiring a given company to replace your roof, take time to do some research. Look up the company online. Find out how long they have been in business. If the company you are considering has only been in business for a short amount of time, it could be a sign that they may not stay in business to be able to attend to any issues with your new roof. Likewise, if a company has many years of experience, it is likely that they will still be in business years down the road.

You can learn a lot about a company and how they operate by reading reviews from their past customers. Do their customers seem satisfied with the process they went through to get a new roof? Do the reviews make it sound like the company provides good customer service and communication?

When you’re meeting with a roofing contractor to have an estimate completed for a new roof, ask them the brand of shingles they use. Then, try to find out information about this brand compared to other options. Again, look for customer reviews and other online posts that talk about the durability of the shingles. If you find that the materials used by a particular company are lower-quality, then you should consider other companies.

Price should not be the only thing you look at when deciding between two companies. Often, if one company is significantly cheaper than other companies, there is a reason for it. The company may not be licensed, the workers may not be insured, or the materials may be lower quality. Look at more than just the cost when you are installing a new roof. You don’t want to have to replace your roof in just a few years due to having low-quality work done now.

If you are approached by a  roofer  who was “in the neighborhood,” don’t sign any papers. Often these roofers walk around neighborhoods and tell residents that they need a new roof. They try to get residents to sign a letter or intent, forcing them to give them their business. Don’t be tricked by these scams. Take the time to find the roofer that you want to work with.

Never accept a verbal estimate before signing a contract. Get everything in writing so you can ensure that what you are quoted is what you end up paying. Be sure to have the roofer write out information about the grade of materials and any other repairs that will be done to the plywood under your roof. You don’t want to agree to a price before the roof replacement contractor begins work only to receive a much higher bill than expected after the work is completed.

Before signing a contract with a roofing company, find out their policies related to guarantees and warranties. What will they do if you a dissatisfied with their work? How many years is your roof guaranteed to last? What happens if you have a leak or another issue with your roof within the guarantee period? Finding answers to these questions will help you learn more about the customer service the company you are considering offers. If you are not satisfied with the answers you are given to these questions, look for a different contractor.

Finally, when you decide on your  roofing company  or contractor, be sure to pick the company or person who has been responsive and timely. Don’t go with a company that took weeks to send you an estimate or didn’t return your calls for days. They are showing you that they do not want your business. They are also showing you that it may take a long time for a call back if you have an emergency issue with your new roof.

When you install a new roof, you are making a huge investment in your home. You don’t want to find out in a few years that you need yet another new roof because the roof you just had installed was not put on properly. Take time to research and talk with the roofing contractors you are considering. The time it takes to find the perfect roofing contractor will be well worth it when you get many years of use out of your new roof!