The U.S. roofing industry is worth a monumental $51 billion. With over 100,000 roofing contractors in the country, finding the best one for your roofing project can be quite the challenge. Now, your roof is just about one of the most significant aspects of your home.

It protects you from the elements and keeps you and the rest of the structure safe. For this reason, you can’t afford to bring in an amateur who’ll complete a shoddy job and compromise the integrity of the rest of the property.

So, how do you find the best roofing company? One that’s professional, trustworthy, reputable, competent, reliable, and even friendly enough to invite into your home.

There’s a lot that goes into it, so keep reading to find nine tips to consider before hiring the best roofers.

Do They Offer Free Estimates and Inspections?

Most professional roofing companies offer free inspections and estimates before quoting a project. There’s nothing more valuable than a professional evaluation before you hire someone for your roofing project. Be sure that the estimate they give is an estimate and not a quote, as there’s a distinction between them.

An estimate means they’ll take measurements of your home and maybe look at some of its particulars, such as where it’s located or what kind of weather exposure it has. They’ll technically estimate how much the entire project will cost.

On the other hand, a quote means it’s the exact cost of your project. They’ll come out with their team to do everything necessary to get the right quotation. They’ll take necessary measurements, find out the scope of work, and gather everything to come up with the final price.

Make Sure the Contractor Is Licensed and Insured

Licenses and insurance are a given for any professional business – including local roofers. It’s an indicator of their credibility since they have to meet certain requirements to get licenses from the state or local authorities. Insurance policies are especially vital because roofing is a dangerous job.

The policies offer protection against any accidents that could happen on your property during the job. They must have a general liability policy for damages and a workers’ comp for any injuries. If something was to go wrong during the roofing project without these policies, you would be held liable and have to pay for everything.

The license and insurance policies should be available to you before you sign anything or hand over a deposit. Otherwise, don’t even consider signing a contract with them.

Be Wary of Companies That Offer Ridiculously Low Quotes

This is usually a sign of something fishy. The best roofing company will factor in the cost of materials, permits, and labor when coming up with an estimate. If a company offers you a quote that’s too good to be true, it probably is.

If they can complete the job for that price, it’s likely because they intend to cut corners somewhere along the line. This is one of the worst things that could happen because it could compromise the overall quality and longevity of your roof. Try this tool to see how much your roofing replacement would cost and get an idea of suitable prices.

Check References and Do a Quick Google Search

You can start by checking online reviews and customer testimonials. References offer some insight into what to expect from a contractor in terms of quality of work, timeliness, customer service, and more.

Be sure to ask for both personal and business references – and then actually follow up on them. This way, you know what kind of service to expect from a roofing company, based on other customers’ experiences with them.

Get Estimates From More Than One Company

Even if someone has given you an estimate that seems reasonable, you should get another just to be sure. This way, you have more information when deciding on who to work with. Plus, if they’re drastically different in price or terms, then there could be a reason for it.

Establish Clear Communication

The best roofing company will be able to answer questions about the project. Whether it’s an installation or repairing. They should be able to communicate what kind of materials they’ll use and why.

They’ll also detail all of the steps involved in the process, as well as what you can expect at every stage. This way, there are no surprises, and you won’t have to worry about accommodating their schedule. Professional roofers should be able to work around yours.

Insist on a Written Contract

This document is your proof of purchase, and it should include everything from the materials that will be used and the timeline for the project to the payment schedule and any warranty information. If something changes along the way, this document can help resolve any disputes that may come up.

If you do have a problem with the contractor — or they go out of business before completing the job — this will be your best bet at getting compensated for any damages.

Get an Inspection After Project Completion

To avoid any misunderstandings that might put your home and family at risk, hire an independent inspector to check over the job. The inspector should be able to tell you whether or not they think it’s been done right.

They should pinpoint any problems with materials or workmanship that may cause roofing problems in the future. With this information, you’ll know exactly what kind of quality level you’re paying for and if it meets your standards.

How Long Have They Been in Business? 

If they have been in business for a long time, it’s a telltale sign of how good they are at what they do. A company that’s been around for a while has likely perfected its craft and knows all the ins and outs of roofing. They have a long-standing reputation to uphold, so you can be sure that they’re reputable and reliable.

Moreover, ask them about their experience with the type of roofing material you want. Different materials have different installation procedures, and it’s important that your roofer is competent in working with the material you’ve chosen. For example, metal roofing requires a different approach than asphalt shingles.

How to Choose the Best Roofing Company

There you have it! Finding the best roofing company will be much easier with this guide. Tick every box in the checklist before you sign that contract.

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