Choose a Roofing Company Like You Would a Doctor

You don’t hire a roofer everyday. You hire a roofing company maybe once or twice in a lifetime. So it’s completely understandable when homeowners just aren’t quite sure what to look for in a roofing company. A good rule of thumb is to hire a roofer like you would your doctor—check credentials, get referrals from people you trust and insist on professionalism.

So how to choose a roofing company?  First, you want to hire a roofer in good standing that includes the community, the state, your local government and the Better Business Bureau. How do you check whether or not the roofing company is in good standing? A roofer should always give you a contracting license number. You can verify its validity online or by calling your local government office. Search the Better Business Bureau’s database for a complaint record or unresolved claims.

You can never underestimate your gut instinct. If anything about the roofer seems “off,” don’t ignore that feeling. You should be able to trust you roofer to provide objective, truthful advice and recommendations. Hire a roofer who has experience, years and years of it, installing roofs on homes like yours using the roofing material you want.

How long the roofer has been in business is another factor that carries weight. Just like you wouldn’t want a doctor right out of med school performing your surgery, you don’t want a novice roofer on your roof.

Where to start when choosing a roofer and how to choose the best roofer for the job:

• Ask for referrals from neighbors, friends or family who have had roofs replaced
•  Contact two or three roofers for an estimate
•  Ask for references and follow through by checking them out
• Demand current proof of proper insurance, both liability and Workers’ Comp, to protect your personal assets in case of an accident

Also look at:

• The estimate’s comprehensiveness
• The estimator’s professionalism
• Manufacturer installation certifications for the roofing crew (are they manufacturer trained?)
• The company’s workmanship warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty

There is a lot to consider when you are choosing a roofing company you trust to do the job right. You’d never choose your doctor because he or she was the cheapest. The same applies when you hire a roofer. Don’t make your decision on price alone. Quality materials and workmanship have value, especially when you think about the cost to fix a sub-par roof when it starts to leak or fails inspection when you put it on the market.