5 Tips for Helping Choose the Best Roofing Contractor

Inevitably, you’re probably going to have to hire a contractor to either replace or maintain your home or company’s roof at some point in life. Old age, harsh weather and other external factors will ultimately take a toll on your roof during its lifespan. These days it's pretty common to find someone who will work on your roof, but it isn’t guaranteed they are legitimate, or someone you should be placing trust in. Replacing or maintaining a roof can cost you a pretty penny, and at the end of the day it’s important to pass the job off to professionals that have your best interest at heart, ensuring that your home or business receives the best care possible.

It isn’t always easy to pick out who’s for real and who’s not, so here are a few tips to follow when hiring a roofing contractor in order to ensure quality service and professionalism.

1. Check for proper licensing, insurance and training. In some states, it is not legally required to have a certified roofing license in order to replace, repair or inspect a roof, unless asbestos is present. Hiring a licensed contractor ensures that your roofer knows the industry and they are familiar with current installation and maintenance practices, along with safety rules and regulations. In case of any mishaps, licensed roofers have insurance, which will protect you from being liable for any potential harm to a worker or your property. Having an insured contractor will weed out potential scam artists that are looking for financial compensation from injury that may have happened from lack of attention to safety. Proper safety training is important, as it will reduce the risk of accidents happening, so don’t be afraid to ask your potential contractor about their safety protocols before hiring them. Professional companies will prioritize safety of their employees and your property.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the materials being used. There are a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to making decisions about materials based on durability, cost, color and style. Familiarize yourself with options and pay attention to how your contractor communicates with you. A good contractor will want to include you in the process, as this translates into authenticity and good customer service. Material choices are crucial, as they will be part of your home for a long time and can essentially affect the overall value of your home or business.

3. Reference your potential contractors’ Better Business Bureau rating. Cross-checking a company with the BBB’s website is helpful for customers when researching a company. It is a reliable source of information including business details, accreditations, reviews, services and they often include sample photos. As stated on the BBB’s website, “BBB accreditation means that a company has been reviewed and approved to meet high standards in business regarding honesty, integrity, professionalism, licensing, customer service and truth in advertising.”

4. Identify the company’s digital footprint. It’s 2020. For the most part, you can easily educate yourself about a company with a quick Google search, and you’ll be directed to their website, Facebook page, Google Business account, Yelp page and probably a handful of articles in which they were referenced. Most times, you will be able to find photos and promoted content from credible roofers, as they are proving they take pride in their services. Ask yourself some questions of what’s important to you. Do a little digging and see if any of these sources will open up the door to offer insight on who the employees are behind the logo. Identify what types of values these companies emphasize, as these often serve as pillars to the foundation of a company, and they will essentially translate into your experience with your contractor.

5. Look locally.  Often, local companies are more likely driven by serving their community rather than maximizing a profit from it. This can help ease your mind of any fear regarding overpaying or lack of attention on your project. Local companies are usually focused on providing quality work, good customer service and fair prices. Since they get most of their business through recommendations and loyal customers, local companies pride themselves in maintaining a good reputation with the community it serves, unlike corporations that have the luxury of money and prominence to be less concerned about each individual customer.

Placing your home or business in the hands of a contractor can be nerve-wracking, but following these tips to help select a contractor will undoubtedly reduce the risk of overpaying, poor service, harm to a worker, property damage or low-quality work. Your home or business is a big part of your life, so be cautious about selecting someone to take care of it. If you do diligent research and make sure to use these tips as filters for selection, you will ultimately find your roofing contractor match made in heaven.