4 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor for Your Roofing Needs

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Your guide to finding a roofing contractor that’s perfect for your next commercial project. 

Finding a reliable and efficient roofing contractor is no easy task. Whether you need a simple leaky roof repair or a complete roof replacement, you still want to find a contractor that you can trust. Some homeowners or building owners may have all the time in the world to research every contractor in their area, but we’re sure that some of you might be on a time crunch. Regardless of your situation, here are four tips for finding the best roofing contractor: 

1 – Determine which kind of contractor you want 

To help you narrow down your search a bit, we suggest figuring out exactly what kind of roofing contractor you want. The two types are independent contractors and roofing companies. Independent contractors are great for smaller roofing jobs, such as repairing a leak in a roof, whereas roofing companies have the capacity to take on larger projects, like roof replacements.  

Each of these contractors have their benefits and drawbacks. Independent contractors make it so that you aren’t dealing with multiple people for a smaller roofing job. But because it’s just one person working on your roof, the job could take a bit longer than you may like. Also in some states, like Florida, contractors have to be licensed to complete roofing jobs, so you could run into some legal issues if the contractor is not legally licensed to work on your roof. 

Roofing companies can complete bigger jobs in less time since more people are involved, but you will likely have to speak with multiple people throughout the process which can be overwhelming. They are also usually certified by roofing manufacturers who offer warranties on their products, whereas independent contractors sometimes cannot offer a warranty on the materials they use on your roof. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what kind of experience you want to have relative to your roofing needs. 

2 – Make sure you get everything in writing 

Documenting everything is a crucial part of the roofing project process. You should always ask for prices and timelines to be in writing when a contractor is providing you with a quote in case anything comes up in the future. Plus, if a contractor gives you thorough and consistent documentation, that means they are trustworthy. The last thing you want is to get a verbal quote but not get it in writing, only to find out later that the price has skyrocketed from what you remember. 

3 – Read reviews and ask for references 

Reading online reviews can help you determine what the general public opinion of a contractor is. And asking for word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors and people you trust can help speed up the decision-making process tremendously. You should also know that you can ask any contractor for customer references in order to determine their reliability and work process – and it’s recommended that you ask for at least three references. Ask their past customers if they are satisfied with the contractor’s work as well as if any potential problems came up during their time together. It never hurts to ask! 

4 – Meet your contractor in person 

It’s tempting to want to lock down a contractor over the phone or online, especially if you have a lot on your plate already. But we recommend you meet your desired contractor in person at least once to see if you are comfortable with hiring them. During meetings like these, it’s easier to ask them questions about your roofing needs that you might not think of asking otherwise. You’ll get more comfortable with the roofing process and develop a sense of trust with your new contractor. 

Have a question? AskARoofer.   

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About Evelyn 

Evelyn works as a writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofing, she’s either at the gym lifting weights or curled up on the couch watching a movie.