Are you looking for a roofing contractor in your area? Are you overwhelmed by all the options?
If so, you need to know how to spot a great one that fits your roofing needs. But how do you do that? We’ve got you covered.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been repairing and replacing roofs for the residents of Nashville since 1990. We pride ourselves on offering an experience unique in the roofing industry. When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.
So, how do you find a great local roofing contractor? Always trying to right the wrongs of the roofing industry, I’m going to answer that question.
By the end of this article, you'll know why you need to hire a local roofing contractor and the 4 ways to find one that’s right for you. And at the very end, we're going to give you a great tool to ensure you hire the right roofing contractor.
Why you need to hire a local roofing contractor
Before you learn how to find a great roofing contractor, you need to know why you need to hire a reputable local roofing contractor in the first place. A local contractor will know what local installation codes to follow, the paperwork required, and everything else they’ll need to ensure your roof is correctly installed and in compliance with your state’s requirements.
Another reason you need to hire a local contractor is that you’ll know where they are and how to find them. Making sure the contractor you hire has a local, physical office and a local phone number is crucial.
This makes it a lot easier to get them on your roof if or when a problem comes up. To learn more about why you need to hire a local contractor, read this article on why it’s important to hire a local roofing contractor.
4 ways to find a great local roofing contractor
You just learned why you need to hire a local roofing contractor. Now you’re ready to learn how to find one in your area.
When you use online resources and more, you’re able to figure out which contractors in your area have a solid reputation. Continue reading to learn 4 ways to find a great local roofing contractor.
1. Use online resources and reviews to find potential roofing contractors near you
The most common way people look for a roofing contractor is the internet. One of the first places people look is at Google reviews. Be aware, you should take them with a grain of salt.
Anyone can write a review, whether that’s someone within the company, friends, or family. Some people will go to the extreme one way or the other. However, if a company stands behind their work, interacts positively with customers, and does things the right way, then more than likely, it will show in their reviews.
But there are other online sources that are more reliable. One of the most reliable sites is Nextdoor. Here, you’ll be able to ask your neighbors about the roofing contractor they recommend and why.
The great thing about Nextdoor is only people in your neighborhood can respond and give you recommendations. Just make sure the people recommending the contractor’s don’t work for them.
2. Ask your friends and neighbors about the roofing contractor they used
The next way to find a great roofing contractor is by asking your friends and neighbors. If you ask your friends for a recommendation, they’ll tell you whether they had a good or bad experience.
This should hold weight because you’re asking people you trust and know personally. Another way to ask people about their experience is by talking to neighbors who recently got roof work done.
If you see a roofing company’s sign in your neighborhood, go look at that roof and even knock on their door. The customer will either be happy to talk about their experience or, if they had a bad experience, they’ll warn you to go with someone else.
3. Get multiple quotes for your roof problem
Another way to find a great local roofing contractor is to get multiple opinions for your roof. When you get multiple roof estimates, you can compare prices, determine if the work required is correct, and helps you find the right contractor.
If you only call one contractor, you have to take their word on what your roof needs. If one contractor says you need a replacement, but two others say you only need repairs, then it’s a safe bet that you don’t need a new roof.
Getting multiple quotes helps you find a contractor you can trust and has your best interest in mind, but that’s not all it does. To go more in-depth about why you should get multiple quotes, read this article on why you should get multiple quotes for your roof replacement.
4. Research which roofing companies are established in your area
One of the first questions you should ask a roofing contractor is, “How long have you been in business?”.
The longer a roofing company has been in the business doesn’t make them any better, it just means that they'll be around if there's a problem. For example, if you choose a newer roofing company that’s only a couple of years old, chances are their prices will be a lot cheaper.
But the problem is they don’t know how to price jobs correctly to have retained earnings at the end of the year to get them through the winter months. That's when a new roofing company will shut down.
That's not to say there aren’t good young companies in your area. However, five years from now, you want to make sure the company will still be there to take care of your roof investment.
Get your checklist of questions to ask potential roofing contractors
You just learned why you should hire a local roofing contractor and the 4 ways to find a great one in your area.
But knowing how to find one is half the battle. Now you need to know how to hire a great one.
That comes down to asking the right questions and getting the right answers back. That's why we developed a checklist of questions every homeowner needs to ask when looking for a contractor to hire.
Our 16 question checklist contains both the questions to ask and the answers to look for when meeting with potential roofing companies. Because we want you to find the right roofer for you, we're going to give you this checklist for free.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roof replacements in the Nashville area since 1990. Our workmanship ensures you get the most out of your roof investment. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty.
Get your free Checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor to help you hire a great company in your area.
