Choosing a roofing contractor is the most important thing you’ll do for your roofing project. So, it can feel overwhelming when you see all the options in your area.
Luckily, you can narrow down your search by simply knowing the different ways to find a reputable roofing contractor you can trust.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided transparent and honest information to help homeowners like you make the best decisions. Now, I’ll get you started on your hiring journey by breaking down the best ways to find a roofing contractor.
This article covers the following 6 ways to find a great roofer:
- Online resources
- Read recent reviews
- Ask friends and family
- Ask your HOA
- Use shingle manufacturer websites
- Get multiple quotes
1. Use online resources to find local roofing contractors
The first place homeowners go to find a roofing contractor is online. It’s as simple as Googling “roofing contractors near me” and getting a list of local companies.
There are also the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, “Best of” lists, and other recommendation websites that provide lists of reputable roofing contractors. However, you should take these websites with a grain of salt and do more research on who they recommend.
On the other hand, Nextdoor is a more reliable site that lets you ask your neighbors about the roofing contractor they recommend and why. It’s a little more reliable because only your neighborhood can respond and give you recommendations.
Just be on the lookout for if a neighbor is recommending a company they work for. No matter what though, it’s absolutely crucial to only look for roofing contractors who are local and established in your area.
2. Read any potential roofing contractor’s recent reviews
Once you get a list, you need to read the recent Google reviews of every roofing contractor from the last 3-6 months. I tend to trust Google reviews because the company can’t remove or hide negative opinions.
But if a roofing contractor stands behind their work, interacts positively with customers, and does things the right way, it’ll show in the reviews. You should also read the owner's responses to see how they handle negative reviews.
However, you should take reviews with a grain of salt because some people exaggerate to the extreme.
3. Ask your friends and family about their roofing contractor experience
Using online resources to get a list of potential roofing contractors in your area is great, but you can’t beat recommendations from people you trust. That’s why I always recommend asking your friends and family about their roofing contractor experiences.
Whether they had a good or bad experience, they’ll give you an honest rundown about their experience. Obviously, this carries more weight because it’s recommendations from people you trust and know personally.
But there’s always a chance they go to the extreme in either direction, like online reviews. The big difference is that you can talk through their experience and ask questions for more clarification.
4. See if your HOA has a preferred roofing contractor
Most Homeowners Associations have preferred companies for roofing, lawn care, pressure washing, HVAC, and other home services. So, it’s always a good idea to see if your HOA recommends a specific roofing contractor.
If you don’t have an HOA or just want to take it a step further, talk to neighbors who recently had roofing work done. If you ask them, I guarantee they’ll either be happy to talk about the experience or warn you to avoid a certain roofing contractor.
And if you happen to notice a roofing company’s sign in a neighbor’s yard, go look at that roof and knock on their door if you’re comfortable.
5. Check out shingle manufacturers’ websites for certified roofing contractors
Shingle manufacturers pick six, eight, or 10 of the best roofing contractors in any given area to get certified so they offer the best warranties. They specifically seek out companies established in the community and known to do top-quality work.
Luckily, you can visit any manufacturer’s website and type in your zip code to get a full list of certified roofers in your area. If they're certified, the shingle manufacturer trusts that specific roofing contractor to install their products correctly.
While this shouldn’t be the only reason you hire them, looking for certifications is a great way to narrow down your search.
6. Get quotes from multiple roofing contractors
While not exactly a way to find a roofing contractor, one of the most important tips I can give homeowners is to get quotes from multiple companies. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to find one that fits your budget, you feel comfortable with, and trust to produce high-quality work.
It also helps you understand what your roof actually needs and avoid roofing companies that try to sell you a new roof no matter what. After all, talking to one company means you have to take their word on everything.
So, get quotes from a few roofing contractors to find the right one for you, your budget, and your situation.
What questions do you need to ask potential roofing contractors?
Now you know 6 ways to find a great roofing contractor. Use the advice in this article, do some research, and choose a few different companies to get quotes from.
But finding them and requesting an inspection is one thing; determining if you can trust them is another. That’s why it’s crucial to ask the right questions when meeting with potential roofing contractors.
Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know what questions to ask. But as I said in the beginning, we believe in full transparency.
That’s why I wrote another article with the top questions you need to ask when getting roofing work done.
Check out the Top 10 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor to learn the questions every homeowner needs to ask a potential roofer.
