Has your roof started leaking, leading to serious water damage? Perhaps your shingles have started to buckle. If they’re starting to look worn out, it could lead to more extensive issues in the future.
Don’t wait until the next storm hits before calling a residential roofing company. Instead, consider roof replacement or repair services right away. Making the necessary changes to your roof can help you prepare before a storm hits.
Otherwise, the water damage could lead to mold and mildew growth, putting your family’s health at risk.
There are now nearly 280,000 roofing contractors throughout the US. Not every residential roofer will have the experience you need, though. Instead, use these eight tips to find the best roofing company in town.
With these tips, you can feel confident in your final choice. You’ll know an experienced, knowledgeable professional is on the job. They’ll ensure the best possible outcome for your next roofing project.
Start your search for the best roofing company in town with these tips today.
1. Gather Local Referrals
If you want to find the best roofing company in town, talk to the people you already know and trust. Call your friends, family members, and neighbors in the area. Ask if they’ve hired a residential roofing company in the past year.
If they have, learn as much as you can from their firsthand experience with the company.
Save time by making a list of questions to ask beforehand. For example, you might want to ask:
- Did the team arrive on time
- Were they knowledgeable and professional
- Did you encounter any issues
- If so, how were those issues resolved
- Would you hire them again
- What services did you need
- How much did their services cost
Try to find someone in your inner circle who encountered the same problem you’re experiencing now. For example, perhaps your roof sprung a leak. Talk to someone who hired a roofer to fix a leak as well.
Speaking with your inner circle will help you develop a list of roofing companies to vet further. They could help you determine which residential roofing companies to avoid, too.
If people within your inner circle can’t offer referrals, that’s okay. Start searching online instead. You can Google “roofing company near me” to develop a list of options.
Make sure you’re within each company’s service area before researching them further.
2. Look for Years of Experience
As you work through your list of roofing companies in the area, learn more about each team’s professional history. Look for an “About Us” page on their website.
Otherwise, visit each company’s Better Business Bureau listing.
Determine how long each roof replacement or repair company has worked in the area. Look for an established business with years of experience.
These teams will already have a plan in place. They’re more likely to work with the utmost efficiency.
A team with hands-on roofing experience is less likely to make costly mistakes on the job as well.
Some companies travel from one town to the next chasing storms and natural disasters. Instead, find a company that has worked locally for a few years. If you need their services again, you won’t have to worry about them disappearing overnight.
An established roofing company has likely earned the respect and trust of other homeowners in the area, too.
3. Check Their Credentials
It’s not enough to find a team with years of hands-on experience, though. Before hiring a residential roofer, review their credentials. Make sure they have the proper paperwork in order.
First, make sure they’re licensed to work on residential properties. Make sure their license is up-to-date before they start working.
Roofing contractors are required to complete two years of experience to gain their license. You can check the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) website for proof.
Otherwise, make sure the company has insurance.
What happens if a roofer is injured while working on your property? Their insurance will ensure no one holds you responsible.
4. Review Their Services
Before choosing a roofing company from your list, review the services each company can offer. Make sure they can meet the scope of your project.
Do they offer both roof replacement and repair services? You might also need:
- Broken flashing seals
- Flashing
- Caulking
- Shingle repair
- Leak repair
- Rusty or crack roof flashing repair
- Worn or damaged shingles repair
- Professional roof inspections
Review each company’s services to determine if they’re right for your project.
5. Consider Their Process
Ask each roofer about their work process, too. They shouldn’t add new shingles to the existing shingles on your roof. Additional shingles will add unnecessary weight to your roof.
The roof could collapse as a result.
Asking each team about their process can help you gauge their expertise.
6. Read Reviews
Check the company’s website, BBB profile, and Google My Business listing for customer reviews. Reading reviews will help you learn from the people who were once in your shoes.
Choose a company that has a strong reputation among homeowners in the area. You’ll feel confident choosing a team others have trusted in the past.
7. Explore Their Portfolio
Determine if each company has a portfolio you can review. Look at the photos of their previous work. If their work doesn’t meet your expectations, scratch that company off your list.
8. Gather Quotes
Americans spend nearly $7,000 on roof repair services. Shop around before choosing a company.
Ask at least three residential roofing companies on your list for a quote. Determine what’s included in the estimate. Usually, the estimate will include both labor and materials.
Ask the company if they offer a warranty, too. The best roofing company will have your best interests in mind. They’ll want to make sure you’re satisfied with their services.
If the company doesn’t offer a warranty, you might have to hire another roofer to fix the problem.
Instead, choose a team that focuses on customer satisfaction.
