Whether it’s time to put a new roof on your home or you need repairs done on your existing roof, having a quality roofing contractor that you can rely on is a must. If you’re still in the market for a roofer, read on because we’re going to share with you some of our best tips to ensure that you find a great one.
1. Make Sure They Offer a Wide Variety of Services
One of the first aspects that you want to look for in a quality roofer is that they offer a variety of services. You want a roofer who can install all different types of roofing and that offers other services like inspections and gutter installation. When you have one roofer who you can call for all the services that you need, it helps to simplify the process and give you peace of mind.
2. Get Word-of-Mouth Referrals
One of the best ways to find a great roofer is to ask those around you for recommendations. Friends, family, and even coworkers can all be a great source of knowledge when it comes to learning about roofing contractors. Most people will be more than happy to tell you about a roofing contractor that they love, as well as any roofing contractors that they’ve had a problem with. This can give you valuable insight into a potential roofer that you may want to hire for your home.
3. Check Online Reviews
If you don’t have anyone close to you that can offer referrals about roofing contractors, you may want to check online. Be sure that you look for online reviews at websites like Google that can give you valuable insight into how the roofer operates. If they have a ton of great reviews, then customers tend to enjoy their service. And, it’ll be easy to spot bad roofing contractors as they’ll have poor reviews that stand out.
4. Opt for an Experienced Roofer
One thing that you always want to make sure that any roofer you hire has is industry experience. Those who have experience will have a proven track record of their work and a great reputation throughout your community. There’s nothing that beats out experience when it comes to hiring any service provider for your home.
5. See if They Offer a Warranty
When you purchase a new roof, you should be getting two different types of warranties. The first warranty is going to be from the manufacturer of the roofing material. The second warranty should be from your roofer. They should provide warranty for their workmanship that lasts anywhere from two to 10 years, depending on the type of materials used.
6. Ensure They Offer Insurance Coverage
An absolute must for any roofing contractor that you hire is insurance coverage. Even the best roofers out there can have accidents from time to time. Knowing that they have insurance will help to ensure that any damage that happens to your house or any of the workers will be covered.
7. See if They Provide Written Estimates
Whenever you’re getting a new roof, it’s important to get a written estimate to lock in a binding contract so that you know what the price of your new roof is going to be. Quality roofing contractors will always offer you a written estimate for your records. If they refuse to give you one, move on to another roofer because you’ll likely be dealing with unexpected expenses if you use the one you’re talking to.
8. Look at Past Jobs
Roofers who are proud of what they do and always offer quality workmanship are going to be more than willing to provide you with a list of recent jobs that they’ve completed. In fact, if you get on the website of potential roofers, they’ll likely showcase some of their past work so that you can take a look at it. There’s nothing that can put your mind at ease more than seeing quality work from a roofing contractor that you’re thinking about hiring.
9. Ask if They Have Factory Designations
Many of the biggest roofing material manufacturers will indicate designations for roofing contractors across the country. These designations are given to contractors who successfully complete jobs to the standards set by the manufacturer. These are typically strict standards that only the best roofing contractors meet on a consistent basis.
10. Ensure They Have BBB Accreditation
The Better Business Bureau, more informally known as the BBB, offers accreditation to businesses that show dedication to their communities and a high standard of ethics. For roofing contractors to receive accreditation from the BBB, they have to show honesty, integrity, ethical advertising, and quality customer experiences.
11. Find Out If They Do Subcontracting
One very necessary question that you want to ask any potential roofer is if they subcontract. You can vet the roofing contractor all you want. However, if they’re going to hire a subcontractor to do the job, you can never verify the quality of work that you’re going to get until it’s done. It’s best to hire a roofing contractor who does not subcontract any of their work.
12. Ask About Payment Requirements
Once a roofing contractor gives you a written estimate for your roof, it’s important to ask about the payment requirements they have. Most roofers will ask that you provide payment for materials and labor upfront. Then, you pay the rest of the price once the job is finished. If a roofing contractor asks you to pay the entire price before they do the job, it’s not a good sign.
13. See If They Are Responsive
When you narrow down your list of roofing contractors, it’s a good idea to give each one of them a call. Speak with their staff and determine how responsive they are to your needs. Quality roofing companies will take the time to explain their services and answer all of your questions. If they’re trying to rush you and aren’t listening to your concerns, then move on to the next roofing contractor.
14. Ensure They Are Licensed
In some states, roofing contractors must obtain a license in order to operate. You can check online at your attorney general’s website to determine if your state requires licensing for roofers. Additionally, some local municipalities may require roofing contractors to be licensed as well. You can check with your local county website to learn more about any possible licensing requirements.
15. Find Out If They Offer Emergency Services
Unfortunately, you never know when you’re going to have a problem with your roof. If your roof starts leaking water in the middle of the night, you want to ensure you’re choosing a roofing contractor that offers emergency services. This way, all it takes is one phone call, and you can get the service you need to protect your home.
16. See If They Offer Storm Damage and Insurance Claims
It’s important to know that not all roofing contractors will offer storm damage and insurance claims estimates. You want to take the time to choose a roofing contractor that offers these services so that you only have to make one phone call if your house undergoes damage from a storm. It can make all the difference in getting the problem solved quickly when you have a designated roofer to call compared to calling around like all the other homeowners in your neighborhood trying to get their homes repaired after a major storm.
Excellent Roofing Service
Red Bird Roofing offers excellent roofing service for the entire Indianapolis, IN area. We can also help with all of your gutter, insurance claim, storm damage, tarping, and emergency repair needs. Give our friendly staff a call today to schedule your next service appointment.
