The roof of your home or business is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your real estate investment! Roofs are typically the single most expensive item homeowners will replace. When it comes time to install a new roofing system, it’s often difficult to know which roofer to hire for the job. Homeowners should be skeptical of hiring their roofer based solely on price. When hiring a roofer, you’ll usually get exactly what you pay for! Hiring a roofer solely because they provided the lowest bid can result in a poor quality roof that can leak and diminish your home’s curb appeal.
Hiring a roofer can be confusing, but homeowners can be sure they are hiring the absolute best roofer for their specific roofing needs by following a few important steps.
ROOFERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN HIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF ROOFING SYSTEM
There are numerous roofing contractors in your area. However, not all roofing contractors have experience with your specific type of roofing system. Residential roofers must be certified by GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, and Atlas Roofing. A commercial roofing contractor must be proficient in all types of flat roofs and be certified with several commercial roofing manufacturers such as Carlisle Syntec, Sika Sarnafil, GAF, Versico, and MuleHide. Ask the roofing contractor you are considering if he has experience installing the exact type of roof he wants installed. Be specific when addressing this question. For example, if you are interested in installing a metal shingle roof, ask the roofer if he actually installed a metal shingle roof and not just a metal roof. Roofing systems can be very different in their preparation and installation requirements. The same applies to heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof. You want to hire a roofer with hands-on experience installing the specific type of roofing system you want to install on your home or business!
KNOWN IN ROOFING CONSTRUCTION
Unfortunately, not all roofing companies are knowledgeable in roofing construction. In today’s market, the roofing industry can be lucrative and attracts people who are marketing savvy and interested in running a profitable business, but who may not necessarily have a background in roofing construction. Be specific when hiring a roofing company and ask questions like:
- Are they up to date with current codes and building requirements?
- Are they certified with the roof manufacturer for your specific roof?
- Have they inspected your current ventilation system?
- Did you discuss ventilation options or improvements?
- Have you inspected your roof deck?
- Were you warned about the possibility of rotten wood not being visible?
- Do you have a gap cover that will need to be re-covered?
- Will they use actual starter strip and ridge cap?
- Do you replace all pipe jacks and roof fittings?
- Will they remove the existing shingles and start with a clean roof deck?
THEY ARE BBB MEMBERS WITH A SOLID RATING
Be sure to contact the Better Business Bureau and make sure the roofing contractor is A+ rated! It’s crucial to work with a roofer who is committed to customer service and treating clients fairly! If the roofer you’re considering has an A+ rating with the BBB, you can be sure they’ll work hard to install a top-quality roof that meets or exceeds your expectations.
CHECK HER WEBSITE AND PORTFOLIO
Today’s roofing contractors are well aware that the world has gone digital and consumers want to see examples of their work online! Ask if they have a website and take the time to verify their credentials! A professional website will provide you with detailed information on the many services and qualifications that the roofer possesses, as well as a portfolio that will show you various examples of their work! A roofer who does not have a website in today’s market for the roofing industry is not a top roofer in their area!
TESTIMONIALS AND CUSTOMER REFERENCES
Look up customer reviews online via sites like Google and Yelp! If a customer takes the time to post a review, you can be sure that the roofer you are considering will provide you with a quality roofing system. Go to their website and see if they have a customer testimonial section! Any reputable roofer will have an area of their website dedicated to customer reviews. Last but not least, you can always ask them for a list of past clients that you can contact for a reference. If you’re talking to a roofer who can’t provide you with a list of client references and doesn’t have multiple positive reviews posted online, our advice would be to look for a more reputable and qualified roofing company!
NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE FOR A ROOF INSTALLATION
Every year we hear sad stories of people who have been scammed by people posing as local roofing contractors in their area. Sometimes these scammers were actually roofers who took the money and ran! If your roof is being replaced as part of an insurance claim, we never collect money until the roof is actually installed. If your roof is being replaced as a cash estimate, then you must have a very nominal down payment that must be made to secure the contract. You never pay until the roof is installed and you are a happy customer!
FREE ROOF INSPECTIONS AND ESTIMATES
A professional roofing contractor will be happy to provide you with a free roof inspection and make a professional recommendation on the best way to address your specific roofing needs. If your roof can be repaired and still provide the protection your building needs, a reputable roofing company will always tell you that! But if a complete roof replacement is required, they should also advise you on the best solution to suit your specific needs and budget.
Installing a new roof can instantly transform your home or business and add value to your home. Don’t let just anyone tackle this important job that can drastically affect your property’s curb appeal and more importantly, diminish the most important layer of protection for your property! Your roof is a critical component of your home’s fabric and it’s critical that you hire a roofing expert to tackle this important repair!
Always take the time and do your research when looking for local roofing contractors to replace your roof! A little time invested will pay off greatly in ensuring that you do receive a quality installed roofing product at a fair price!
