How to Choose a Residential Roofing Contractor

Many homeowners can have a hard time when it comes to fixing or repairing their roofs, especially when it comes to choosing which residential roofing contractor to hire for the job. People can make the mistake of simply selecting the first one they see, and the results of such a decision can be disastrous.

Homeowners should seek the services of a professional contractor who has a record of being trustworthy with their past clients. Hiring qualified professionals may not be the cheapest in the short run, but settling for the cheaper option could end up costing you in the long run.

Having to fix or replace your home’s roofing doesn’t have to be hard, here are some tips to make it easier.

Look for Local Contractors

As much as possible, homeowners should look for contractors in their community. Local roofing contractors know more about the local rules and regulations in your area, as well as having an established relationship with the area’s suppliers.

Hiring a local roofing contractor keeps you from worrying about potentially violating any compliance requirements in your community that would lead to unwanted expenses.

Get Referrals

The best way to find a good roofing contractor is to ask your neighbors. Find out their good and bad experiences and they will tell you what to watch out for. If you don’t know any neighbors who have had roofing done lately, you can check out local chat groups online and ask them for referrals.

Roofing Contractor

Look for Manufacturer Designations

You’ll need to look for roofing contractors who have earned their manufacturer designations. The designations are considered badges of honor that, at the very least says that the contractor passed the minimum requirements to become factory-certified.

Check for Proper Licensing and Insurance

A professional contractor that can genuinely help you with your roofing would have both the appropriate license and insurance for all the employees and subcontractors involved in the project.

Unlicensed roofing contractors can attempt to find work despite their status, and the fact that the state requires contractors to have a license before working. Before hiring a contractor, people should first request a copy of their license to ensure that the contractor is legitimate.

If a contractor lacks insurance, then any work-related incidents or accidents that resulted in injuries among the roofing employees could lead to litigations between the contractor and the homeowner. Your chosen contractor would need to possess insurance that covers accidental property damage and bodily injury among the workers. It is advisable to ask for a copy of their insurances to serve as proof that the contractor is legitimate.

When dealing with insurance, homeowners should be wary of contractors that promise to handle insurance claims themselves and those who say that they can handle the project without needing the homeowner to pay their insurance deductibles. These contractors may also pressure a homeowner to sign a settlement before the insurance company managed to estimate the damages to the property.

Get an Extensive Warranty

Not all contractors can afford to offer extensive manufacturer warranties that cover their workmanship, which would have served well if one incorrectly installs the new roofing. However, being able to hire a roofing contractor that offers such an extensive warranty would save the homeowner a large amount of money if the roof’ is damaged due to a warranty issue.

Know Your Material Choices

Since it’s your roof that’s at stake in a roof replacement job, you must have a say on what materials will be used for your new roof. Some contractors may simply want to finish the job quickly without keeping their clients’ best interests in mind. A sloppy job in the selection of your new roof could negatively affect your home’s resale value.

Being able to choose your shingles’ style and color would give you control on how you want your roof to end up.

As a plus, if the roofing contractor offers a free roof inspection service, then such a contractor could be a better choice than the others in the market. Homeowners would need to be knowledgeable when it comes to selecting roofing contractors to ensure that they receive high-quality services while being able to save up in the long run.

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7 thoughts on “How to Choose a Residential Roofing Contractor”

  1. I’m thankful that you mentioned the inherent importance of checking a roofing contractor for their licensing and insurance to ensure that you can find quality services in your time of need. My wife is interested in hiring a roofer, as we are in the process of having a home constructed. I’ll be sure to send this article to her so we can discuss the topic further.

  2. I appreciate that you explained you can go to local chat groups online and ask for referrals for roofing companies. In the coming months, I want to have our roof redone since a lot of our shingles are getting old and chipping away. I’ll be sure to continue researching good roofing contractors.

  3. Thank you for reminding me that I need to choose the right roofing contractor for the job since they are knowledgeable about the rules and regulations in our area. Our roof has a lot of broken slates and though our house has existed for a long time now, we’re still not yet sure if it needs repair or replacement.

    1. Zoe,

      Slate roofs can last a very long time i.e. 100+ years but the nails that hold them on tend to rust out. Not all roofers are qualified to repair a slate roof since it requires special tools and skills. It is best to find a roofer that specializes in slate.

  4. Tim, I like your advice about hiring a local roofing contractor because they know the local rules and regulations best, plus they have good connections with local suppliers. My husband and I are hiring roofing contractors soon because we’re having a custom home built, and we’d like to have asphalt shingle roofing installed. I’ll take note of what you said and start researching the local roofers in the area so we can choose the best one amongst them. Thanks!

  5. We are looking to have our roof redone in the Fall, and want to make sure we cover all our bases. I will have to make sure to keep this list in mind as we get closer to finding a contractor.

  6. Charlotte Fleet

    My parents want to have their roof repaired as soon as possible because it is leaking into the attic. I appreciate how you recommend asking for a copy of insurance from any potential roofer to make sure they are covered. I will have my mom and dad ask for proof of insurance coverage before they hire any roofing company for their home.

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