Regardless of whether it’s a minor repair or full roof replacement, choosing the best roofing contractors is essential when starting a roofing project. Badly executed roofing work can lead to additional damage to your roof, as well as expensive repairs in the future. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to hire reputable, qualified, and licensed roofing contractors, especially in the post-COVID world. However, that’s not always easy. Here’s a detailed, step by step guide on how to find a roofing contractor that does high quality work without breaking the bank.
Step 1: Referrals and Research
The first step in hiring the best roofing contractors is to start with referrals and research. Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who does this kind of work, or at least can point you in the right direction. Seeking personal referrals from people you trust, even someone like an interior design contractor you’ve worked with before, reduces any doubts you may have about the contractor, lowers your perceived risk of a negative outcome, and streamlines your decision-making process. There are also tools such as online searches and reviews that can provide you with more insights into local roofing companies and their reputations. You can use other tools like Google reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings to further vet the best roofing contactors for your needs.
Step 2: Vetting the Contractors
Of course, vetting the contractors is the next step in finding the right roofing contractors for your needs. This goes a little further than the research mentioned in the first step above; once you meet the contractors, verifying that they’re licensed, insured, bonded, and certified becomes imperative.
Bonded status means you, the customer, can seek compensation from the bond company if the contractor goes out of business during the job, or if there’s a problem with the work they don’t fix. Essentially, a bonded contractor is someone the bonding company knows does business ethically.
All the best roofing contractors also have certifications from top shingle manufacturers. Having these certifications demonstrates the nation’s top shingle manufacturers’ high opinion of the contractor’s work. This way, you are assured the certified roofing contractors will complete the work on your roof properly and professionally.
One of the best, lesser-known roofing contractor tips is to look for any independent awards the contractor may have received, such as from a local magazine or other publication. These awards put how the majority of the public feels about the contractor and their work on display. You can consider these local, independent awards a sort of mark of excellence in the local community.
Step 3: Get Several Estimates
The third step in finding the best roofing contractors is to get multiple roofing estimates from multiple licensed roofing contractors. This is an important step in making sure you get the best value and quality out of your roofing job. Some tips for requesting and comparing roofing estimates include providing each contractor with the same detailed information regarding the job, asking the contractors for examples of similar work that they’ve done, as well as clearly outlining the scope of work and materials needed. It’s important to get detailed roofing estimates in writing that outline the project scope, including materials, labor, and cleanup. This way, both you and your chosen contractor stay on the same page regarding the cost and timeframe you agreed upon.
Step 4: Evaluate Workmanship and Warranties
Once you’ve gotten a few roofing estimates in writing, it’s time to evaluate each contractor’s workmanship and any warranties they may offer. There are a few types of roofing warranties you should be aware of for this step: a materials warranty promises the materials were properly made by their manufacturer, while a workmanship warranty covers the quality of the work itself, guaranteeing it’s free from defects for a specified period. Both these roofing warranties are essential to having quality work done, but workmanship warranties are crucial to protect against installation errors. These errors can often be quite costly, as they can lead to other potentially expensive issues like a leaky roof.
Step 5: Make an Informed Decision
After comparing some of the best roofing contractors from local roofing companies, it’s time to make your decision. Of course, you should consider all the factors mentioned above, but also do a little reading between the lines. Compare your quotes and roofing estimates beyond just the price – consider the quality of their work examples, the warranties they offer, and the perceived reliability of the contractor. You also want to consider the pros and cons of in-house crews versus subcontractors. This is important for quality control, since subcontractors often do lower-quality work, as their reputations aren’t on the line. Once you make your decision, seek a detailed contract that covers all aspects of the roofing job, from safety procedures to cleanup. This way, you can absolve yourself of certain liabilities and keep everyone on the same page regarding payment, safety, and timeframe.
How to Find a Roofing Contractor
It’s no secret that a new roof is one of the best ways to improve your home’s curb appeal, and therefore value, along with door aesthetics. As a result, finding a roofing contractor you can trust and does quality work is incredibly important. There are several steps to finding the best roofing contractors for your specific needs. First, seek referrals from people you trust, then do some further research using tools like Google. Second, vet your chosen roofing contractors and make sure they’re bonded, insured, and certified. Third, get several roofing estimates from several contractors that provide detailed outlines of the project scope. Fourth, evaluate the workmanship of your contractor shortlist, as well as any warranties they offer, paying special attention to workmanship warranties. Finally, leverage all this information to make an informed decision on the best roofing contractors for your needs. Of course, diligent research and careful selection are paramount when making this decision.
