Hiring a roofing company is the biggest and most important decision you’ll make for your roofing project. While it’s easy to find one by going to Google, hiring a reputable one is much different.
After all, the roofing industry didn’t get a bad reputation because every company does things the right way. So, how can you be sure you’re hiring a reputable roofing company?
That all starts with looking locally.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners avoid the bad side of the roofing industry with transparent advice. Because of this, I’ll help you get started by breaking down why hiring a local roofer is crucial.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why is it important to hire a local roofing company?
- 5 things to look for in a local roofing company
Why is it important to hire a local roofing company?
The main reason it’s important to hire a local roofing company is because you can find them if there’s ever a problem. Any roofing company you consider must have a local, physical office space and a local phone number.
A local roofing company also knows the installation codes, paperwork required, and everything else they’ll need to ensure your roof complies with your state’s requirements. This saves you from a massive headache when selling your home in the future.
However, it’s just as important when your roof is damaged after a storm because out-of-state roofing companies always follow. These storm-chasing companies send highly trained salespeople to sell new roofs quickly by undercutting local roofing companies’ prices.
Unfortunately, many storm-chasing companies do poor-quality work and don't know (or care) about following local codes or properly installing your roof. Even worse, homeowners who get taken advantage of by these companies get a “tail light warranty”.
As soon as their tail lights disappear from view, the warranty disappears, and the company quits answering their phones. This isn’t to say all storm-chasing roofing companies are bad, but you're less likely to fall for a scam when hiring locally.
5 things to look for in a local roofing company
Now you know the main reasons why you should hire a local roofing company. But as I said, the roofing industry has a negative reputation for a reason, and there are plenty of bad roofers in any given area.
That’s why you need to know how to spot a reputable local roofing company in a sea of options.
1. The roofing company has positive reviews
In today's digital world, reviews are usually the first thing homeowners look at when choosing a roofing company. Keep in mind every review may not be accurate because people go to the extreme one way or the other.
However, a lot of information can be pulled out of reviews. If a roofing company stands behind its work, interacts positively with customers, and does things the right way, it shows in its reviews.
Look at every roofing company’s reviews from the last 3-6 months to get current homeowner experiences. And make sure to read the reasons why the homeowner left the review and how the company responded.
If there are mainly negative reviews, it’s best to avoid that local roofing company.
2. The roofing company is licensed, bonded, and insured in your state
The next thing you need to look for is a roofing company that’s licensed, bonded, and insured in your state specifically. These three pieces of paper ensure your roofing project is done right and protect you if it isn’t.
Just know each state has different requirements, and your area may not require one or two. I recommend researching local codes to ensure you’re up-to-date on the appropriate permits and paperwork required in your area.
That way, you know what to look for when asking for physical copies as proof before working with any potential roofing company. Even if your state or area doesn’t require all of them, I still recommend looking for a roofing company with all three.
3. The roofing company is established in your area
The next thing you should look for is a roofing company that’s established with a strong history in your area. A local roofing company that’s been in the business longer doesn’t make them any better, but it ensures they'll be around if there's a problem.
Simply put, you want them to still be in business to honor their workmanship warranty if there’s ever a problem. There’s also something to be said about a roofing company being around for 20 or 30 years.
With more companies starting and shutting down every day in the roofing industry, an established company is obviously doing something right. But just know that newer roofing companies usually have cheaper prices due to lower overhead.
This isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s something to remember when getting estimates.
4. The roofing company offers a strong workmanship warranty
Next, you should look for a roofing company that proudly stands behind their work. Workmanship warranties vary from one year, two years, three years, five years, 10 years, 25 years, or even a lifetime.
However, you should only consider companies that offer long-term protection with a strong workmanship warranty. I recommend looking for at least a 10-year warranty but don’t be afraid to shoot higher.
If the roofing company takes pride in its work and does everything the right way, it should have no problem offering a 20, 25, or lifetime warranty. No matter what the company offers, still do your research and read reviews to see if they practice what they preach.
5. The roofing company is certified by manufacturers
The top shingle manufacturers pick a small number (six to ten) of roofing companies established in the community and known to do top-quality work to get certified on their products. These certifications mean they can offer the best warranties on a given manufacturer's roofing materials.
That’s why you need to strongly consider roofing companies that are certified. This tells you a shingle manufacturer trusts and knows they’re a reputable roofing company.
If a roofing contractor isn’t certified, it doesn't mean they’re a bad company. However, you should definitely look for certifications to get the best material warranties and learn who the top manufacturers trust.
How many estimates should you get for your roof replacement?
After reading this article, you know why it’s important and what to look for in a local roofing company. Keep in mind you can’t take just one of these things and rely on it to find a great roofer.
You need to combine all five and apply them to each potential roofing company to narrow down the search. Now, you may be confused when I say “each”.
After all, this article is about finding a local roofing company. But the truth is, you need to talk to and get estimates from multiple roofing companies.
But how many? And more importantly, why should you spend your valuable time doing this?
Check out How Many Estimates Should I Get for a New Roof to continue your journey of finding a great, reputable roofing company.
