How Do I Choose The Right Roofing Contractor?

Hiring a roofing contractor to work on your home can be a daunting task. With so many contractors to choose from, how do you know which one is right for the job? Who can you trust to do a great job on your home or business? These five tips can help you make sure you are choosing the right contractor before signing a contract.

1) Read online reviews.

Reading reviews of a prospective contractor offers you a wealth of information. According to the contractor’s former clients, did they do the job they said they were going to do? Was the job done in a timely manner? How did the customer like the company? When looking at reviews, remember to outweigh the good versus the bad. Most often people who have had a bad experience want to let others know, while many people who had a positive experience are content in silence. Also bear in mind that there will always be a few vocal customers who are never satisfied. A contractor whose majority of online reviews are positive should indicate to consumers that the contractor is reputable.

2) Does the company have a website?

A company’s website can be an invaluable tool in understanding the quality of work they do. Reviews, testimonials, and pictures are often on a company site as well as links to other pages that may be helpful for finding reviews. For example, you may see that the business is connected to Yelp or Angie’s List. A site that has links to review sites shows that they have nothing to hide. If you have any doubt, ask the contractor for a list of references and call a few of them to see what they thought about the company.

3) Make sure the contractor you use is fully licensed and insured.

Liability insurance is a must in choosing a contractor. Make sure they also carry worker’s compensation for their employees. Ask the company how long they have been in business for. Most companies who have made it past four years are doing something right. Check to see if the contractor will be getting permits for the job. Any reputable contractor will be getting permits to work on your property.

4) Is the contractor willing to come to your home and provide you with a free estimate?

Most professional contractors should be able to get an estimate to you with no out of pocket cost. Remember, the lowest bid does not guarantee the best work. If you get 3 estimates, compare what you are getting. Are you getting the same quality materials? What is included? Does this cover cleanup and debris removal? What happens if there are unforeseen issues that aren’t in the contract? Does the work come with a warranty? Often times, the lowest bid is not the one you want to go with. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Extremely low bids should be a red flag. How is the contractor making a profit after materials and labor? Are the employees not being compensated fairly?

5) The contractor you choose should have working relationships with the manufacturers of the products they use.

Some may even be certified with the companies and be able to offer you warranties on those products. Ask the prospective contractor about their relationships with manufacturers.

When in doubt, use your best judgment! Many times in life, we are faced with making judgment calls and this is one of those times. Ever heard the phrase “trust your gut”? After the initial meeting with the prospective contractor, you will want to take a minute and ask yourself some questions. How did you like the contractor? Did they listen? Offer you different options? Were they personable? Willing to answer questions? How did they carry themselves? Do they appear to be willing to answer along the way? Were they pushy? It is important to feel good about the contractor you hire to do the job. You want to feel like there is an open line of communication between you and the contractor.