Do you own one of the 2.3 million homes that will need a roof replacement in the next decade? Or do you simply have some minor repairs to make after the battering our roofs take in winter?
Either way, you need to know how to find the best roofing contractor if your area. There are some awesome companies out there that will do a great job and give you a reasonable price. But there are also dodgy ones out there that you need to avoid at all costs.
Let’s take a closer look at how to find the best roofing contractor for your home.
Ask Trusted Friends
We receive ‘recommendations’ via advertising and social media day in and day out. But the best recommendations come from trusted friends and family members. The same applies when you’re trying to find a residential roofing contractor.
A new roof or even a big repair is a major expense and you want it done right the first time. So talk to friends and family and ask them about local contractors they’ve had good experiences with. They might also warn you of some you were considering!
If you’ve got a family WhatsApp group, why not put a message on there? Even if they don’t have a personal recommendation, they may have a trusted friend who knows a great company.
Companies know that word-of-mouth marketing is tough to beat. If you find a company that customers are happy to recommend, they must be doing lots of things right!
Do Some Online Research
Online reviews are the next best thing.
Sure, people head to review sites when they’re very happy, very unhappy, and sometimes not much in between. But read reviews carefully and you can usually pick up some themes.
Does the roofing company seem to care about and follow up on the negative reviews? Does the company do high-quality work but provide poor customer service?
If there’s a decent number of reviews, you should be able to get a feel for the type of company you’re dealing with. Also, check out their website. Obviously, they will only include favorable testimonials.
But you may also be able to view projects they have completed. You can ask them if there are any former customers you can call to discuss their experience. You can also get a good feel for the image the company projects through its site.
It’s also the place to find special offers, financing deals, out-of-season discounts, and other deals that could help you keep costs down.
Schedule a Home Visit
Even the best roofing contractor can’t accurately estimate a job without inspecting the roof. Never trust a roof care company that gives you a quote before seeing what they’re dealing with.
During the roof inspection, ask the contractor whether a little roof maintenance is enough or if a new roof is the only option. The best contractors are honest and will tell you what’s right for you.
Ask About Licenses and Insurance
All roofing contractors in Illinois must be licensed.
This requires roofing services to provide details of their insurance company and policies in place. They must also pay a surety bond to receive their license. All of these measures are in place to protect customers.
If the roofing company violates their contract or causes damage, you can make a claim against their insurance and against the bond if needed.
Shop Around
It’s always a good policy to source at least three like-for-like quotes when hiring a roofing company.
The like for like part is key. Make sure that all companies are being completely upfront about their costs. You don’t want to choose a more affordable company only to find that there are hidden charges later on.
The cheapest quote may not be the best quote. You rely on your roof to protect the rest of your house. If you choose a company solely based on cost, you could face a whole world of problems with the rest of your house if the standard of their work is not good.
When weighing up the costs, take into account any warranties they offer and the quality of materials they use. For example, some asphalt shingles only last for 20-30 years and withstand winds of up to 60mph. Other shingles can last much longer and withstand much higher wind speeds.
Take your local climate and the durability of the roofing material into account when deciding which contractor is right for you.
Check the Contract Carefully
Before allowing any roofing company to start work on your home, have a watertight contract in place.
Take your time to carefully review the contract before you sign. It should outline:
- Length of the project – this should take inclement weather into account
- Details of the project – a thorough explanation of all stages they will undertake, including clean up
- License and insurance details
- Warranty – crucial for a new roof or major repairs
- Payment – the final payment should be down in writing
If your contract does not include one or more of these details, send it back and ask for them to be added. Never signs a contract that you are not completely happy with. If something goes wrong, the contract is there to back you up.
Find the Best Roofing Contractor for Your Home
The best roofing contractor is honest, reliable, and produces high-quality work.
The best way to find this type of roofing company is through lots of diligent research. Take your time to make the right decision by asking friends, reading reviews, and researching their websites. Talk to several companies, get quotes, and then weigh up the pros and cons of each.
At Midstate Construction & Roofing, Inc. we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. Based in Effingham, IL, we will help you find the best and most affordable route to getting an excellent roof for your home.
Call us at 1-618-487-9029 or request a free assessment online today!