When it’s time to repair, replace, or upgrade your roof, you want to choose a roofing contractor you can trust. After all, a roofing project is a big investment, and you’re entrusting them with the safety and stability of your home. So, what do you need to know to choose the best roofing company?
The most important factors are a solid reputation, responsible workmanship, and experience. Anyone with a van and a ladder can call themselves a roofing contractor, but checking these three things will ensure you choose an established and reliable company.
Of course, we hope that you’ll go with Designer Roofing! But even if we aren’t the right fit for you, this checklist will help you choose a reliable and professional roofing company that will do quality work on your home.
1. Reputation
Word-of-mouth — and its new digital equivalent, the online review — is still the best way to choose a reliable service provider for everything from plumbing to pet-setting. Researching a contractor’s reputation will help you find a reliable and professional roofer for your home. Designer Roofing has high ratings on Facebook and Google, and we are incredibly proud that our satisfied customers are our greatest asset.
You’ll also want to make sure the roofer has a local, physical office. A physical office is a good sign that the company is established, and not just a side gig for someone with a van. A local contractor will understand the needs of homes in your area and be able to supply quality local references.
- Ask friends and family for references
- Check online reviews
- Look for a local, physical office
2. Responsibility
Responsible roofing companies are licensed and bonded. Is the roofer fully covered with liability insurance and workers compensation insurance? Don’t feel awkward about asking for proof of insurance — an honest roofer will be happy to supply this information.
A quality roofer will also use their own crews rather than sub-contracting the job out. A roofing company that uses third parties can’t control the quality of their work, and this practice can even void the manufacturer’s warranties on the shingles used.
Designer Roofing uses our own experienced crews to ensure that you get quality workmanship and installation. Plus, we make sure our team members understand how to care for your property, whether that’s covering your pool so debris doesn’t fall in, protecting your landscaping, or going over your lawn with a magnet to remove any stray nails once the job is completed.
Finally, a responsible roofer is honest. Just like choosing a car mechanic, it helps to trust your gut. Does the roofer have integrity and take pride in their work? We always promise a thorough evaluation and our honest feedback about what your roof needs right now, with a 10-Year Labor Guarantee to back up the quality of our work.
- Ask to see proof of their liability and workers compensation insurance
- Ensure they use their own crews rather than sub-contracting to third parties
- Assess their overall demeanor for honesty, integrity, and pride in their work.
3. Experience
You don’t want to entrust your home’s roof to a storm-chaser or weekend warrior. Even worse are unscrupulous contractors who disappear when things go wrong and then reopen with a new name — and that does happen!
The best roofing companies have an established track record of at least 5 years. Designer Roofing is proud to have been locally owned and operated by Dan Gerardis and Aaron Lenhart for over 25 years.
An experienced roofing contractor is also knowledgeable. They are happy to answer all your questions, and willing to educate you on all the roofing options for your home, the costs and benefits of different products available on the market, and the role of accessories like decking, underlayment, flashing, and gutters.
Choosing an experienced roofing company is especially important if you’re interested in upgrading to metal roofing on your home. Stone coated steel and standing seam metal roofs are incredibly durable and add to the value of your home. But installing them requires specialized skills, and not just any roofing company will do.
- At least 5 years in business
- Knowledgeable about roofing products and your options
- Experienced in any specialty roofing you’re considering
Your Next Steps in Choosing the Best Roofing Company
- Create a shortlist of several roofing companies with good references
- Reach out to all of them to ask for an estimate
- Choose your final candidate based not just on the price, but the quality of service you received through the estimate process. If they’re not knowledgeable and responsive to you during the sales process, it won’t get better during your re-roofing!