Are you looking for a reliable roofing contractor but don’t know where to start?
Choosing the right professional for your roof is one of the most important decisions any homeowner will ever make. A good contractor protects your home and family while a bad one will cause you thousands in damages and sleepless nights.
Here’s the issue:
The roofing services market is huge and extremely fragmented. In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 roofing contractor businesses. For every established company that has been around for years, there are dozens of fly-by-night operations set up for the sole purpose of getting your money and leaving town before the warranty runs out.
But it doesn’t have to be like this.
Armed with the right knowledge and approach, homeowners can shortlist quality roofers from the cowboys in no time. This post will walk you through the entire process step by step, so you can find a roofing contractor who does quality work at a reasonable price.
Guide Includes:
- Why Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor Matters
- How to Spot a Bad Roofer
- Verifying Credentials and Licensing
- How to Get the Right Quotes
- Making the Decision
Why Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor Matters
The roof over your head is arguably the most important structural element of your home.
It shields your family from sun, wind, rain, snow, and ice year after year. It insulates your home and keeps energy bills down. When the roof fails, everything else starts to crumble. Water damage, mould, weakened structures, pests, other repairs. The list goes on.
Because of how vital the roof is, it’s critical to work with the right professional for any roofing services.
Whether you’re looking for roofing in Cardiff or anywhere else in the United Kingdom, the process for finding a good roofing contractor is the same. In fact, a survey by Roofing Contractor magazine found that 79% of homeowners use word-of-mouth referrals to locate roofing contractors. This is the highest percentage of all their consumer segments, which just goes to show how much trust plays a role in this market.
For example:
Say you need a roof replacement. This is a major investment. Most homeowners will only need to do it once or twice in their lifetime. Of course, you want the job done right. To get a quality roof installed at an honest price, you need to find the right roofer for the job.
And that my friends, is no easy task.
The Red Flags to Look Out For
Before getting into how to find a good contractor, it’s vital to know the warning signs of a bad one.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
- No physical address: A professional roofer has a real business location. Don’t be fooled by a mobile phone number and PO box only. You can bet they don’t have a real office with your money.
- High-pressure sales: Roofers who push for an immediate decision or use scare tactics to sell the job are not to be trusted. Good contractors give you the space and time to make a decision.
- Cash-only jobs: No legitimate roofing service should be asking for payment in cash only. Credit card and bank transfer options are standard for a reason.
- No written contract: If a roofing contractor won’t provide a written contract, move on. No verbal agreements in this business. Get everything documented before work begins.
- Unusually low prices: Watch out for prices that are well below the average for your area. This is a sign the roofer will cut corners and use subpar materials.
The same rules apply whether you’re dealing with a large national company or a small local firm. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, then it most likely is.
How to Verify Credentials and Licensing
This part of the process is non-negotiable.
Every single roofing contractor should have all the appropriate licensing, insurance, and certifications in place. Skipping this step is how homeowners get scammed.
Here’s what to look for:
Start with the licensing. This will vary from region to region but some form of roofing contractor license will always be required. A licensed contractor has met minimum training and competence standards.
Next, check the insurance. The roofer must have public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance. This protects the homeowner in case of worker injury on the property.
Proof is always required. A professional roofing company will have no problem providing documentation for these things. If they hesitate or make excuses, you know they are hiding something.
Check out certifications too. There are many roofing manufacturers who offer certification programmes for contractors. These certifications indicate the contractor has taken specialised training in that roofing system and material.
Don’t take their word for it. Call the insurance company and verify the policy. Check the local licensing database and confirm it’s active. It only takes a few minutes of research to avoid months of heartache.
Getting the Right Quotes
This is where many homeowners fall into a trap…
They get one quote from one contractor. The price sounds good, so they hire on the spot. Big mistake.
The smart way: Get at least three quotes from three different roofing contractors. This will give you a better idea of a realistic price range and help identify outliers on either end.
Remember that comparison shopping isn’t just about the price number either. Check what is and isn’t included in the quote. A lower price might be leaving out essential items that other companies include in standard.
When reviewing roofing quotes, consider the following:
- Materials to be used (brand, quality, warranty)
- Scope of work (everything being covered)
- Timeline for completion
- Payment schedule
- Does it include cleanup and disposal?
- Warranty terms
Research from ACHR News shows that 91% of homeowners read online reviews before selecting a contractor. This means Google reviews, Facebook ratings, and industry-specific platforms all come into play before any decisions are made.
A roofing contractor with dozens of five-star reviews and detailed testimonials will always be a safer bet than one with no online reputation at all.
Making the Final Decision
Research is over. Quotes are in. Time to choose.
Keep these final considerations in mind:
Communication is key. How easy was the contractor to work with during the quote process? Were they responsive? Did they answer questions clearly? If they were poor at communicating before the job, they will be worse after.
Experience also matters. How long have they been in business? Ask for references from recent projects of a similar scale and follow up with those references with specific questions.
Don’t forget the contract. Everything discussed verbally must be in writing. Start date, finish date, materials, costs, payment schedule, warranty information. Everything. Don’t ever sign anything without reading the full contract first.
Finally, trust your gut instinct. After all the research and verification, sometimes it just comes down to that final feeling. If one contractor just feels right and checks all the boxes, that’s probably the one.
The Wrap-Up
The process of choosing the right roofing contractor for your home should not be left to chance.
By following a systematic approach, homeowners can protect themselves from cowboys and scams while finding the best professional to do the job. To quickly recap what we just covered, the process of finding the best roofing contractor can be summarised as follows:
- Watch out for red flags that indicate an unreliable contractor
- Verify licensing, insurance, and certifications independently
- Get multiple quotes and compare them accurately
- Read online reviews and contact references thoroughly
- Get everything in writing before work begins
The roof over your family’s head is too important to leave to chance. Take the time and effort to do this right. You will be thankful in the long run.
There are plenty of quality roofing contractors out there. They just need to be found. This post will help you do that.