On average, it costs a US homeowner over $10,000 to replace their roof. When you’re about to spend such a significant amount of money, it’s important to get the job done right.
The best way to ensure your new roof will last for years to come is to hire a reputable company. But with so many options to choose from, how can you be sure you’re picking the best roofing company available?
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help narrow down your options. Before you know it, you’ll be confident that your chosen company will meet all your needs.
Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover our tips for choosing the best roofing company.
1. Go Local
We’ve all encountered those door-to-door salesmen who offer roof services. Normally, you’d say a polite “no thank you” and go about your day. But when your roof really does need to be repaired or replaced, you may start to give that salesman a second thought.
But these door-to-door companies typically aren’t local. This means they may fix your roof and move onto the next city, leaving you no way to reach them if a problem arises in a few months.
Instead, you want to always go for a company that is established in your local area. This way, you’ll be able to get ahold of them if you have questions or concerns in the future.
2. Ask Your Friends and Family
Of course, there are likely dozens of roofing companies to choose from in your area. One of the best ways to get started is to ask your friends and family members for a referral.
You know your loved ones will give you an honest review of any company they used, which can help you feel more secure following their recommendation.
Even if you don’t know anyone that’s personally had their roof worked on recently, you’ll still want to ask. They may have close friends or neighbors that did have their roof repaired and will be able to provide you with a recommendation.
3. Look at Online Reviews
Whether you were able to secure a few good recommendations or not, your next step should be to check online reviews. While your one family member may have had a good experience, you want to ensure that’s the norm and not the exception.
Ideally, you want to go with a business that has at least 4 stars and a healthy number of reviews on Google.
While a few negative reviews aren’t necessarily a cause for worry, you should read them over and see what the problem was. If they all complained about the same problem (and that problem is a deal breaker), then you may want to cross them off your list and move on to the next potential company.
4. Get Quotes
Of course, the price is likely going to be one of your deciding factors. Feel free to contact all the remaining roofing companies on your list and ask for a quote.
You may have heard that the rule of thumb is to get three quotes. But the more quotes you get, the better.
When you have a decent pool of quotes, you can identify the average cost for the work that needs to be done. If anyone wants to charge substantially more than the average, you can go ahead and cross them off.
While you may be tempted to go with the lowest quote, this may not be the best idea either. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Companies who quoted you far below the average price may be trying to scam you or provide subpar work.
Instead, you’ll want to narrow your search down to the companies who are within the average range. However, it is okay to lean towards companies on the lower end of this range.
5. Pick Someone Experienced
When you’re dealing with something as important and expensive as a roof replacement or repair, you’ll likely want to pick someone who knows what they’re doing. Oftentimes, choosing someone who is a little more expensive but more experienced pays off. Not only will you feel more confident about their work, but they’re less likely to make a mistake when they have years of experience.
The best way to find out how long they’ve been in business is to check out the “About Us” portion of their website. If you don’t find any mention of their experience on their website, it may be because they’re still new to the game.
6. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Are you still trying to decide between two or three roofing companies? Your next step will be the check out the Better Business Bureau’s website.
Ideally, you want your company to be accredited by the BBB. This means that the company makes an effort to resolve any complaints and has agreed to the BBBs other accreditation standards.
When you find a company on the BBB’s website, you’ll also have access to see customer reviews and any customers complaints. Again, you should look for a company who has at least 4 stars, an A-rating, and a minimal number of complaints filed.
7. Make Sure They Have Insurance
“Why do I need to worry if they have insurance? That’s none of my business.”
Unfortunately, if your roofing company doesn’t have the proper liability and insurance for all of their subcontractors and employees, the legal and financial burden can fall on you if someone gets hurt on the job. So, before you sign anything, ask a potential company if they have insurance and request to see proof.
This is another reason why you may not want to choose the cheapest company. Those who can provide prices much lower than average may not be paying for insurance for their employees.
8. Check Their License
Most states require roofing companies to have a license. However, there are unlicensed companies that attempt to get work. Due to the cost of commercial properties and repairs, you will want to take extra precautions when hiring for commercial roofing.
This can open you up to a lot of potential problems. They may not have the experience or skill-set required to provide you with a quality roof repair. They also may not be insured, opening you up to liability if someone gets hurt.
Make sure you ask a potential roofing company if they are licensed and if you can see a copy of their license. You can also confirm their status online to ensure their license is up-to-date and legit.
9. Get a Warranty
What happens if your roofing company makes mistakes while installing the roof? Sometimes these things don’t show up until months or even years later. This means that your insurance may not pay for it.
If the contractor you chose did not offer a warranty, they may not pay to fix these mistakes either. In this case, you’ll likely have to pay another company to fix your roof again, meaning you’ll end up paying double of what you should have.
Instead, ask a potential roofing company if theyoffer a warranty and what it covers. A reputable company will guarantee that they provide the best work possible and offer a warranty if their workmanship doesn’t hold up.
10. Ask Who Will Be Doing the Work
You may assume that the roofing company you hire has its own employees that will be performing all the work on your home. But this isn’t always the case. Some companies will outsource work to third-party independent contractors.
But this can open you up to a lot of those problems that you worked so hard to avoid. If the company goes with third-party contractors then the manufacturer’s warranty may become void, you could end up with unlicensed workers, your workers may be inexperienced, and they may not be covered under any insurance.
Instead, you’ll want to verify that the workers are employees or subcontractors of the roofing company you’re hiring. Don’t be afraid to ask any additional questions regarding their experience or if they’re covered under any insurance policies.
11. Ask About Their Policy for Unsatisfied Customers
Unfortunately, even the most experienced roofing companies can make mistakes. What’s important is that they properly handle these mistakes and ensure you get a roof that you’re happy with.
That’s why it’s important to ask how they handle unsatisfied customers. Is there a direct line you can call or will you get stuck in a never-ending phone tree? Will they squeeze you in ASAP to make the repair?
12. Opt for a Good Communicator
How has the company handled themselves so far? Have they responded to your emails or phone calls in a timely manner? Have they been polite and clearly answered all your questions?
If a company doesn’t display timely and quality customer service, this could be a red flag. The last thing you want is to hire a company who shows up hours late to your home or can’t be reached if you have a problem.
13. Get It in Writing
Verbal agreements don’t mean anything. When it comes to an expensive service like roof repair, you need to have absolutely everything in writing.
Not only does this protect you, but it protects the roofing company too. This is a great way to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that you’re protected if the company tries to back out of something or claim that it wasn’t part of the agreement.
Don’t forget to include any financing agreements with this. The last thing you want is to agree on a payment plan that lets you pay off your debt overtime just to have the roofing company turn around and demand you to have the bill paid off upon completion.
14. Don’t Pay It All Upfront
Is your roofing company requiring that you pay for the full cost of your new roof upfront? This is likely a scam to get your money and never return to do any work on your home.
Most reputable companies will require a deposit before they start work and further payments to be made in installments. This is the best way to ensure they are still getting paid for their work and that you aren’t opening yourself up to a potential scam.
However, you’ll still want to ask a potential roofing company for any other financing options. As your roof repair or replacement could cost tens of thousands of dollars, you may need a more flexible option.
15. Wait Until Your Insurance Company Estimates the Damage
If your roof sustained damaged from severe weather, your insurance company may cover the costs of a new roof. However, they’ll need to estimate the damages before giving you a check.
While you may want to start work on your roof right away, this could cause problems with your insurance company as they may not be able to tell how much the damages were worth.
You also shouldn’t sign a contract before your insurance company checks things out. Instead, you should wait for your insurance company to get back to you with a number and then ensure your roofing company can work with that price.
Find the Best Roofing Company Around!
Not every roofing company will be a good option. But by following the tips above, you can find the best roofing company in your area and get a roof that lasts for years. From picking a local company to finding one that provides a warranty, there are plenty of ways you can choose a trustworthy company that provides excellent service for residential and commercial roofing needs!
Does your roof need work? Then contact us today to schedule a free inspection in Boise, Idaho! We offer roof repairs, replacements, and can even work on your gutters and siding.
