Looking for a reputable roofing contractor? Are you wondering what it means for a roofer to be certified and why it's a selling point?
There’s no bigger decision than choosing a roofing contractor for your roofing project. That’s why I always recommend homeowners start their search with certified roofers in their area.
Not only does this give you a list of companies as a jumping-off point, but there are also some major reasons to hire a roofing contractor with certifications.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has given homeowners the power to make the best hiring decisions with transparent advice. That’s why I’ll break down why you should consider and hire a certified roofing contractor.
First, I’ll briefly explain what it means if a roofing contractor has certifications. After that, you’ll learn the 3 reasons you should hire a certified roofing contractor.
What does it mean if a roofing contractor is certified?
If a roofing contractor is certified, it means they have a certification from a shingle manufacturer. Most roofers have a preferred brand they’re certified with, but it’s possible to have multiple.
Just know the shingle manufacturers decide who they want to certify in their products. The top ones usually pick six to ten roofing companies in a given area, which is why certifications carry weight.
However, this isn’t to say roofing contractors without certifications don’t do good work. Your roof is a big investment, so considering a certified roofer is simply something every homeowner should look for.
3 reasons why you should hire a certified roofing contractor
I just said every homeowner should consider a certified roofing contractor. Now, they may be more expensive than a less established roofing company without certifications.
However, there are 3 main reasons why hiring a certified roofing contractor is crucial.
1. Roofing contractors must know the correct installation instructions to get certified
The most important day in your roof’s life is the day it's installed, so obviously you want it done right. Hiring a certified roofing contractor ensures it’s done correctly and lessens the chances of roof leaks or premature roof failure.
After all, a roofing contractor doesn’t just get a certification because a manufacturer offers them one. They need to learn the specific manufacturer’s installation instructions and the right way to install their products.
When ready, the roofing contractor must pass an exam before getting certified. Once certified, the manufacturer trusts them to follow the correct installation techniques.
2. Manufacturers choose reputable roofing contractors for certifications
As I said, shingle manufacturers choose six to ten roofing contractors in an area to get certified. They don’t make a decision by throwing a dart at a list of local companies.
Instead, shingle manufacturers look for established roofing companies with strong ties to the community and are known to do top-quality work. Because of this, a certified roofing contractor is seen as a reputable company in your area.
This goes hand-in-hand with the first reason. After all, shingles manufacturers wouldn’t pick an untrustworthy roofing contractor they can’t count on to install their products correctly.
The last thing they want is for their brand or products to look bad, so they always try to pick reputable roofing contractors to get certified.
3. Certified roofing contractors can offer enhanced warranties
All manufacturers provide material warranties on their shingles and other products. The shingles themselves come with a basic warranty plus some prorated “limited” warranty period specific to the brand.
However, certified roofing contractors can offer non-prorated extended warranties on the entire roof system. On top of being installed by a certified roofer, all the shingles and other roofing components must come from the specific manufacturer to qualify for the warranty.
After installation, you’ll register the roof for the 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty. This ensures if just one of the manufacturer’s components fails, they’ll pay to replace your entire roof (both labor and materials).
It can also be transferred to a new homeowner once, which is a great selling point when putting your home on the market. Because of all this, hiring a certified roofing contractor provides greater and longer overall protection with the best warranties possible.
What else should you look for when hiring a roofing contractor?
After reading this article, you now know the reasons why you should hire a certified roofing contractor. It just ensures you’re considering companies manufacturers trust to deliver high-quality work.
Just visit any manufacturer’s website and type in your zip code to get a list of certified roofing contractors in your area. But remember, the most important day in your roof’s life is the day it’s installed.
So, talking to a few roofing contractors is a good idea to ensure you make the best hiring decision. Even if you find them on a manufacturer’s website, asking about their certifications is crucial.
However, this is just one thing you need to ask any roofing contractor who comes out to your home. Asking the right questions is one of the best ways homeowners can determine if a company is reputable.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down questions every homeowner should ask roofers and the answers to listen for.
Check out the Top 10 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor to ensure you make the best hire by simply asking the right questions.
