Hiring a roofing company is the most important thing you’ll do for any roofing project. You obviously want to find one you can trust, but it’s harder than you think.
That’s why I recommend starting your hiring journey by first considering established roofing companies. But why do I recommend this? And why is it important?
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in helping homeowners avoid being taken advantage of by bad roofing companies. I don’t plan on stopping now, so I’ll break down the importance of hiring an established roofing company.
This article covers the following:
- Why is it important to hire an established roofing company?
- 6 more tips when hiring a roofing company
Why is it important to hire an established roofing company?
If a roofing company is established in your area, they’re obviously doing something right. However, there are two main reasons why hiring a roofing company with an established reputation is important.
An established roofing company is more likely to be around for future problems
It’s important to hire an established roofing company simply because you want them to be around if there's ever a problem in the future. This doesn’t mean an older, established company is better than a newer one.
However, an established roofing company knows how to price jobs correctly to get them through the winter or slow months. This is the downfall of newer roofing companies because they don’t know how to retain earnings to get them through this period.
That’s also why the prices of newer roofing companies are much cheaper than companies that have been around for years. I understand it's tempting to chase lower prices, but the last thing you want is to have a problem and no way to fix it because the company isn’t open anymore.
There are very good young roofing companies out there, and there are also bad older companies. It’s just that an established roofing company is more likely to still be around to honor warranties.
Shingle manufacturers certify established roofing companies
The top shingle manufacturers choose six to ten of the best roofing companies in a given area to go through their certification process. This is important because the manufacturers look for established companies known for doing top-quality work.
If chosen, the shingle manufacturer considers them reputable and trusts them to install their products correctly. Once certified, the roofing company can offer the best warranties on the shingles and other roofing components from that specific manufacturer.
A roofing company without certifications doesn’t make them bad or less reputable. However, hiring a certified roofer means you’ll get the best roofing material warranties and learn who the top manufacturers trust.
6 more tips when hiring a roofing company
Now you know why it’s important to hire an established roofing company. But that’s just one thing you need to look for when trying to find a roofer you can trust.
Below are 6 more tips to consider when hiring a great roofing company.
1. Only consider roofing companies local to your area
Any potential roofing companies must have a physical office in your area and a local phone number. This ensures they follow local codes, have all appropriate paperwork in place, and can be found if there’s ever a problem.
Another huge reason to hire locally is to avoid getting taken advantage of by out-of-state companies coming in after big storms. These companies undercut the prices of local companies, get the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town.
Not all out-of-state roofing companies are bad, but most don’t know local codes or care if they properly install your roof because they won’t be around.
2. Read reviews from the last 3 months
The main way homeowners choose a roofing company is by looking at reviews. Just make sure you’re looking at the last 2-3 months to get recent good or bad homeowner experiences.
Obviously, not all reviews you read are accurate because some people go to the extreme one way or the other. However, reviews will show if a roofing company stands behind their work, interacts positively with customers, and does things the right way.
3. Ask to see the appropriate paperwork
Every roofing company you consider should be licensed, bonded, and insured in your state. I always recommend asking for proof of physical copies of all three to ensure they actually have them.
Keep in mind that each state has specific and different requirements for each. So, your state may not technically require roofing companies to have one or the other.
However, these three pieces of paper protect you and ensure your roofing project is done right. That's why I always recommend looking for a roofer with all three, even if your state has looser requirements.
4. Look for at least a 10-year workmanship warranty
Roof warranties protect your roof investment, with one covering the roofer's workmanship and the other the roofing materials. Workmanship warranties vary from one year all the way up to twenty-five years or even a lifetime.
However, you should only consider roofing companies that offer long-term protection with a strong workmanship warranty of at least ten years. I even recommend taking it further by looking for one that offers more.
Roofing companies should have no problem offering a 20, 25, or lifetime warranty if they take pride in their work and do things the right way. However, you still need to do your research and read reviews to determine if they practice what they preach.
5. Talk to multiple roofing companies
One of the best tips I can give homeowners is to talk to and get quotes from multiple roofing companies. I’ve owned Bill Ragan Roofing in Nashville, TN, for over 30 years, but I still recommend this because roofers aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
Getting multiple quotes is simply the best way to find the roofing company that fits your budget, you feel comfortable with, and trust to produce high-quality work. It also helps you avoid roofing companies that try to sell you a new roof no matter what.
After all, if one roofing company is adamant you need a replacement, but two others say you only need repairs, it’s probably not time for a roof replacement.
6. Review your roof estimates carefully
After getting estimates, it’s absolutely crucial to carefully review them (and the fine print) before signing anything. Each estimate should be broken down into line items with everything that impacts the cost of your new roof.
You need to compare these line items to ensure everything is included and determine why roofing companies charge a lower or higher price. For example, there should be a line item for tarps to protect your property during your roof replacement.
If one roofing company doesn’t have this as a line time, their price will be lower, and you’ll have to decide if hiring them is worth the potential property damage. This is one example, but it shows how doing things right can cost more.
What questions do you need to ask potential roofing companies?
With the tips we’ve covered in this article, you’re well on your way to finding a great roofing company in your area. However, there’s much more you need to look for and consider before signing on the dotted line.
The best way to do this is by asking the right questions when meeting with potential roofing companies. But most homeowners don’t know the questions to ask or the answers they should get back.
That’s why I made a checklist with the 16 questions every homeowner needs to ask, plus the right answers a reputable roofing company gives back. This checklist will give you the confidence needed to make the right decision.
Here’s the Checklist of 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor to go into your meetings with potential roofers armed with the knowledge needed to determine if they’re a reputable company.
If you’re local to Nashville or another Middle Tennessee area, don’t hesitate to Contact Us to get a roofing company with 30-plus years of experience and a lifetime warranty for ultimate protection.
