A good roof is one of the most important parts of a home, protecting you from downpours, ice, and scorching summer rays. When it comes to roofing projects, an investment this big deserves the best person for the job. Knowing how to choose a roofer will ensure that any issues are in capable hands. Whether you are replacing, fixing, or installing a roof, let these tips guide you to choosing the best roofer for the job.
How to Find a Roofer
Choosing a reputable roofer will save you time, money, and stress. Start by checking lists of roofers near you and looking for good online reviews. Ask friends and family in the area to recommend a roofer. Talk to tradespeople that you know and trust for their recommendations.
Before Hiring a Roofer
There are some steps you should take to ensure a smooth hiring process and mutually satisfying work arrangement, outlined below.
Plan Your Roofing Project for Accurate Quotes
There are many reasons why you might need a roofer. Your roof could be damaged after a bad storm, or there might be leaks. Perhaps your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, which is typically 20 to 30 years for shingle roofs.
Getting accurate quotes for your roofing project will help speed up the process and save you money in the long run. It is generally recommended to get quotes from at least three contractors in order to compare pricing.
You might consider an independent contractor or a company. Independent contractors are self-employed. Usually, they will hire subcontractors to help them on jobs. Some contractors offer specialized services and they tend to work in smaller teams than companies. Pricing boils down to their level of expertise, quality of materials, and their business expenses.
Roofing companies bring in the necessary number of workers to do the job in a timely manner. Depending on your roof shape, size, and complexity of the job, a roofing company may get a full roof reinstallation done in a day. Some companies offer their own extended warranties.
Questions to Ask Your Pro
Understand what kind of roof services the company provides. For most homes, look for residential roofing services. These providers are skilled in working with materials that are most common in residential homes, as well as on pitched roofs, whereas commercial roofers usually work on flat roofs.
You will need repair services if your roof is still within its regular lifespan but has damage, like missing shingles, roof leaks, or damaged vents. A trustworthy roofing company can let you know if damage is repairable or if you need a replacement.
Roofers typically offer the following services, though these vary among contractors:
- Roof repairs
- Roof replacement
- Roof maintenance
- Roof coating
- Roof inspections
- Gutter installation
- Flashing repair
- Eaves repair
- Rooftop vent installation
Check Your Roofer’s Qualifications and References
Not every state requires roofers to be licensed. If yours does not, ask the contractor to prove their experience and skill. To protect your home and everyone involved in the case of an accident, workers’ compensation and liability insurance are a must. Hiring anyone without proper documentation can put you both at risk.
Many pros recommend asking about specific manufacturer affiliations.
“Most roofers prefer a certain brand of asphalt shingles or metal; because of the volume of material they purchase, they are generally able to offer extended aftermarket warranties from these manufacturers,” says Ami Feller, Expert Review Board member and owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, Texas. “If you want a certain manufacturer, you might want to go to the manufacturer’s website to find their accredited contractors.”
Word-of-mouth recommendations go a long way. Ask for at least three references from past customers. Some questions to ask their references include whether they stayed on budget, if there were any delays, and if the customer was satisfied overall.
Photo: Huntstock / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images
Questions to Ask Your Roofer
Here is a handy list of 30 questions you should ask your contractor before hiring them.
Business Qualifications
- How long have you been in business?
- Is your business local?
- Are you a licensed roofing contractor?
- What is your legal business name and address?
- Do you use roofing subcontractors?
- Do you have other completed projects that I can see?
- Who will be the main contact for this project, and what is the response turnaround time if I have questions?
- Who will be overseeing the roof installation for quality?
- Can I find reviews anywhere online?
- What is your specialty?
Estimates
- When can you provide a written estimate?
- Does the cost include materials, labor, tax?
- If you find roof damage, how much would it cost to replace the roof?
- Do I need a building permit for this particular job? If so, when will you have that ready?
- How do you handle payment?
- How will you avoid going over budget?
- What ventilation requirements does my roof have?
Timeline
- What percentage of jobs do you start and complete on time?
- How soon can you schedule my job?
- How long will my project take?
- Will you inspect my roof and let me know if anything is needed before starting the job?
- Has your team been trained in my type of roofing?
- How will the roofer leave the job site at the end of each day? Will everything be placed in a certain part of my yard?
Safety and Warranty
- How do you make sure safety is a priority for your workers?
- What will you do if there are unforeseen weather issues?
- Will you protect my house from any damage?
- Will my driveway be protected from any roof particles?
- What kind of warranty do you offer on your work?
- What level of roofing insurance do you have?
- What is your installation process?
Hiring Your Roofer: Tips
Keep these tips in mind to help you find the perfect roofer for your project.
Interview With Your Roofer
Once you pinpoint three or more contractors that you would like to work with, reach out to them. Provide as many details as you can, including the specific issue, past repairs, damage, ventilation requirements, and more. They will send someone to do an assessment, after which they will offer a quote. Plan an in-person meeting to discuss the quote.
Ask for a Background Check
If your state does not require licenses, you are responsible for getting proper documentation from the contractor to make sure they are qualified. Consider asking for a background check depending on the size of the job.
Get a Contract and Arrange Payments With Your Roofer
Every job needs a written quote to avoid hidden costs. You should always be able to reference paperwork if any issues arise. Have the roofer include the cost of labor and materials, price breakdown, applicable taxes, payment agreement, and any insurance coverage needed.
Cleanup Strategy
Leftover debris like small nails and asphalt can be dangerous, so develop a cleanup strategy with your roofer to ensure everything is covered. Schedule a final sweep-through of your property, and ask how they plan to tidy up the work site each day.
Timeline
It is important to outline a proper timeline to keep the project running smoothly, while acknowledging that delays can happen. Talk through milestones, estimated completion dates, and any preparatory work needed, such as cleaning or ordering materials. Additionally, work out a payment timeline.
Keep Records of Your Roofing Project
Once your roofer starts working on the job, it is wise to keep track of their progress. Do a quick check-in with your roofer before they leave for the day to determine if they are ahead of schedule or falling behind.
Look for Red Flags and Prepare to Troubleshoot
Keeping these qualifications in mind will help when you are learning how to choose a roofing contractor. These are general guidelines, but a good company will have most of these:
- Competitive pricing
- Properly licensed, bonded, and insured
- High number of years in business
- Locally recommended
- Solid portfolio of past work
- Reviews from satisfied customers
- Provides a clear contract
- Offers a solid warranty agreement
- Good customer service
- Can handle insurance claims
After Your Roofer Has Finished
After your roofer finishes the job, double-check the contract to make sure they completed everything as promised. If the work checks out, make the final payment and leave an online review.
Over the next few days and weeks, keep an eye on your roof. If you notice anything unusual, contact the roofer right away so they can help you troubleshoot the issue.
