How Can I Hire the Best Roofing Company?

Nearly every day we read or hear an advertisement or public service announcement advocating “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. In the office, each year, employees print an average of 10,000 pages per year. In your home, most major appliances and your home’s roof require replacing every 15 years.

There’s no way to recycle an appliance or roof gone bad, but you can do a few things to extend their lives before problems develop. With respect to roofs, have your home’s roof inspected once or twice per year, typically at the same time each year. Also, have the roof inspected after any major storm to catch problems before they develop and save yourself some money.

Locating a High-Quality Roofer

Before you click on the top result in an Internet search, do a bit of research into local roofers. Instead of who purchased an ad, you need to find who offers top-notch service and experience. Here’s a quick guide on how to do that.

Ask Around

Start by asking friends and family who they used for their most recent roof repairs or replacement. This provides you with firsthand knowledge of the roofers and an opportunity to examine their work up close before going further in the process.

Background Check

Check each roofer’s background. Any roofer you consider hiring should hold a state license for roofing, carry business liability and construction liability insurance, and have been in business for a few years. Check their credentials using the National Roofing Contractor Association.

Read Reviews

Read each roofer’s reviews on business sites like the Better Business Bureau. Skip Google reviews because that site does not check the review writer to make sure that they hired the company. Look for websites that require proof that the reviewer hired the company, so you avail yourself of quality information.

Schedule an Inspection

Schedule an inspection with each of the roofers that proved legitimate and earned rave reviews. Typically, roofing companies provide inspections for free, but some companies may charge a nominal fee. Ask for a formal, written repair quote on any problem they find during the inspection.

Compare Quotes

Compare the inspection findings and repair quotes. Each company should report the same findings in the inspection documents. This lets you easily spot roofers trying to gouge their clients and those who overlook problems.

Ask About Appointments

Inquire about the schedule of each contractor who makes your final candidate list. You need to find a contractor who can work with your deadlines. For instance, you might need to make repairs before your pendent lite or rehabilitative alimony ends, because the court did not award indefinite alimony.

Compare the contractors’ behavior during their visit to your home for the in-person inspection. Did they mute their cellphone ringer or turn it off to provide you with their full attention? How did they treat you when you asked questions about the roof condition or replacement needs? Skip hiring a roofer who dismisses your inquiries, can’t answer your questions due to a lack of knowledge, or behaves impatiently with you.

Learn About Certification

Ask what certifications the roofer holds. Each roofing manufacturer offers educational programs, so roofers can learn the specifics of the company’s proprietary materials. Completing these programs earns the roofer a certification which enables them to offer enhanced warranties for roofing systems they install. For example, Tamko, GAF, and Owens Corning offer these certification programs.

You’ve found your roofer when you locate a contractor who shows you respect, maintains their educational level through continuing education, maintains their licensing and insurance, and works with your schedule.

Once you choose a roofer, stick with that roofing service. Instead of going through the vetting process repeatedly, use the same roofer for your home’s annual inspections, necessary repairs, and roof replacement. Sticking with one contractor can help you earn discounts, improve the level of service provided to you, and result in more cohesive work on your home.