How to Choose the Right Roofer

You roof is a crucial part of your home, so it is very important to choose the right roofer for your roofing project. Throughout the years, we have seen too many homeowners and commercial building owners taken advantage of by roofing companies. Some of the common problems homeowners experience are storm chasing companies who aren’t local, companies who cut corners to limit costs, companies who don’t have insurance, or companies who haven’t been around for a minimum of 5 years. These are the types of roofing companies we, along with the experts, recommend staying away from. 

According to the Better Business Bureau, the business category with the most filed complaints is the roofing industry. More so, the BBB reports over 80% of complaints were with the roofing companies that provided the cheapest estimate to replace their roof. This shows businesses who cut corners to save on costs are a risky choice for your roofing investment. Lastly, the research shows that 98% of roofing companies go out of business within 3-5 years. In addition, 90% of roofing companies go out of business within the first 2 years. These statistics display that typically roofing companies who haven’t been around for at least 5 years may also be risky to do business with, as they may be out of business shortly after working on your roof.

Now, we are going to provide some tips to help you make a more confident decision when hiring a roofer.

First, we recommend doing your due diligence and throughly researching any roofing company before requesting a roof estimate. The Better Business Bureau is a good resource to use to research the company rating, read the company reviews, and see if they have had any complaints filed against them. You also want to check their business history to verify how long they have been in business and confirm they have a local office location. 

Another great resource to utilize is Google. You can search the company to see if they have plenty of reviews and check their rating. Next, you want to be sure the roofing company is certified with the manufacturer for the roof they will be installing. This is important because this means they have received the proper education and training and are able to provide extended workmanship and material warranties backed by the manufacturer.  Lastly, you want to be sure they have a professional website, which indicates they have invested in resources to provide valuable information for their customers.

It is crucial to verify that the roofer has the proper licenses and insurance, including General Liability and Workers’ Compensation. What this means for you is that you are protected if your property is damaged or someone has an accident while working on your project.  

We have put together a list of important questions to ask a roofer before hiring them. These questions will help you determine if the roofing company is the right fit for you and your project. 

1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? If so, can you verify the current status?
2. What is your legal business name and address?
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Are you an accredited business with the BBB? If so, what is your company’s rating?
5. Is your business local?
6. What financing options does your company offer?
7. Do I have any storm damage that would substantiate filing an insurance claim? If so, will you provide me pictures of the damage? Do you have experience working with insurance companies? Will you assist me throughout the entire claim process?
8. Do you provide a written estimate that details the work to be performed?
9. What shingle manufacturers do you use and are you certified with them? If so, can you show me your certifications?
10. Do you install drip edge flashing?
11. What does your workmanship warranty cover and for how long? Will you provide me a copy of that?
12. Do you have a State Business License and Roofing License?
13. Will you have a project manager on site during the roof project?
14. Does your company use dumpsters, dump trailers, or dump trucks?
15. Does your company use magnets to collect nails during the clean-up process?

*If you would like to download our entire list of questions to ask a roofer, click here.

We hope this information helps you in your search of a roofing company. If you’re a property owner in need of roofing services, we recommend that you do your research extensively and ask the questions listed above before hiring any roofer. It’s important to feel confident in the answers you receive, and if you have any doubts, we suggest continuing your search for a roofing contractor that better aligns with your needs. Remember, your piece of mind is very important and you need to be comfortable with your decision! If you are looking for a roofer in Central or North Alabama, please contact us today and experience the USA Way!