Tips on Searching For A Roofing Contractor

When it comes to costly roofing services, like roof replacement, you want to know that you’re getting the best people to do the job. However, finding a trusted and reputable local roofing contractor can be a daunting task.

In this article, you’ll learn more about the benefits of hiring an experienced local roofer or roofing contractor, and we’ll also provide you with some tips that can make your search for a good one a lot easier.

It’s Best to Hire the Experts


You’ll have to do your homework to find a trusted and reputable local roofing contractor that can provide you with the services you need.

Roof repair or replacement can be costly, so you’ll want the job to be performed by experts. Once you’ve made the right choice, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that your roofing job will be carried out efficiently and correctly.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while choosing the best local roofing contractor for you:

  • Ask for referrals from a trusted relative, neighbor or friend who was a previous client in order to find out about the work ethic and payment terms of the local roofing company.
  • Check review sites or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to get a better idea of the local roofer’s standing.
  • Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, find out more about the local roofing contractor by checking the company website, making a few phone calls to validate the services offered and interviewing an individual roofer.

The Importance of Local Knowledge


An experienced local roofing contractor will have attained a vast pool of knowledge and skills in regard to different types of roofing, including an awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Guided by their knowledge, you’ll be able to make a sound decision about your own roof, and you’ll also be provided with different roofing options that are suitable for particular weather conditions.

7 Common Types of Roofing


Roofs come in many different varieties, some of which are more sustainable than others. When choosing a sustainable roof, however, don’t just consider the obvious choices like a green roof. Factor in durability, how often you’ll need to replace the roof and the amount and type of resources that are required for making the roof and transporting the materials.

Here are seven common types of roofing that local contractors should be able to explain with confidence.

Green Roof

A green roof is covered with plants that will help insulate the home underneath, improve air quality and reduce water runoff. These roofs are heavy, and as such aren’t suitable for every home. Where they can be used, however, they provide a gorgeous and functional habitat for pollinators.

Slate Roofing

Slate can last for 100 years. It’s waterproof, won’t burn and can resist mold and fungus. Aside from being very long lasting, slate is also a natural material that doesn’t need to be treated to be functional. It’s easy to recycle at the end of its life. The downside, environmentally speaking, is that if the slate isn’t local to you, the emissions associated with its transport could be high due to its weight.

Solar Tiles

These can be integrated seamlessly into your existing shingles for added energy efficiency. A roof that contains solar tiles can generate up to 1 kilowatt of energy per 100 square feet. Solar tiles are perfect for sunny roofs, but they may cost more than solar panels and other traditional solar options.

Clay Tiles

These tiles can withstand damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or extreme winds. Like slate, they can last a hundred years and are easily recyclable at the end of their lifespan. If the clay is local, they can have a low embodied energy. Be aware that many tiles on the market are actually molded concrete, which is not environmentally friendly.

Cedar Shingles

This type of roof is commonly used because it’s beautiful and also light, so it can be used on any number of structures without the need for additional support. Cedar is obviously natural and easy to recycle or compost at the end of its lifespan. A well-installed cedar roof should last 20 to 25 years.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing comes in shingles resembling tile and shake, in slate tiles, or in vertical panels that can last for 60 years. This type of roofing resists high winds, won’t burn and excels at sloughing off rain and heavy snow. It’s also lightweight, so it can be installed over your existing roof. However, metal roofing may pick up dents from hail and can be noisy during heavy rain.

Stone-Coated Steel

Interlocking stone-coated steel panels mimic clay, slate or asphalt shingles. This type of roof can resist potential damage from winds travelling at a speed of up to 120 miles per hour, heavy rainstorms dropping up to 8.8 inches of water per hour, hail, uplifting, and freeze-thaw cycles.

Your Contractor’s Experience Level


house under construction - tips on searching for a roofing contractor

As mentioned, repairing a roof requires expertise or specialized skills, which should be present in a local roofing contractor. Just make sure you choose one who carries years of experience and has an excellent portfolio, so they can deal with all sorts of roofing challenges.

A Local Response Is a Quick Response


If your house or any property is located in an area that’s prone to natural disasters, your roof can be exposed to harsh weather elements that may affect it negatively.

Any roof damage should demand your immediate attention, because your life (and perhaps that of your family) will be at stake. Therefore, you’ll need a local roofing replacement company that can provide a rapid response.

Hiring a locally owned and/or operated company is beneficial because you can expect someone to be on your doorstep to perform roof repairs or replacements as soon as possible, which will save you from a lot of hassle and stress.

A Warranty is Essential


A roofing contractor can provide a warranty of a few years to assure the quality of the work that’s being done. Choosing a local roofing company will give you the assurance that you can rely upon the roofer while being backed up by the warranty if any issues arise. Roof repair costs can run high, so you’ll want to know your investment is being protected.

Adherence to Local Building Codes


One of the benefits of choosing a local roofing contractor is the level of knowledge and awareness they’ll have regarding local building codes and rules for building roofs.

Adherence to these rules is mandatory, so when you hire a roofing company, you must always make sure the local contractor is fully aware of your local building regulations and is an expert at following those mandated standards.

A Good Customer Experience


A local roofing company can provide personalized consulting services, enhancing your customer satisfaction and experience. Choosing a trusted and reputable roofer near you will enable you to be confident that experts will be handling your roofing job. Whether you need roof repairs or replacements, it’s always best to hire a local company over one that’s coming from far away, so you can easily reach them if and when issues arise. 

Feature image: Lisa Fotios; Image 1: Pixabay

16 thoughts on “Tips on Searching For A Roofing Contractor”

  1. I’m glad that you mention how it’s costly to repair or replace a roof, so it’s important to hire a professional to ensure the work is done efficiently and correctly. Your advice to research them online and to call the ones you’re considering would be a great way to find the best option. It could help to create a list of questions as you research the roofing contractors so you can make sure the ones you call have the skills and knowledge to help with your problem.

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  2. I like that you mentioned that choosing a roofing services company that can back up their work with a warranty is essential. I’ve been wanting to get my roof repaired before the winter season starts to come. Maybe I should see if any roofers in my area can offer a warranty on their roofing jobs in my area.

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  3. We are needing to get some roofing service done at my house. I’ll for sure take your advice and go with a contractor since they would have a lot more experience than me. That and I’d want to go with someone who offers a warranty as you never know what can happen.

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  4. What a great article to read. You tackled everything every homeowner needs to know about roofing and where to find a contractor that would help in assessing the roofings conditions.

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  5. You even mentioned types of roofing on this blog, thanks for the expansion of details. When it comes to looking for contractors it’s important that those who hire have even basic knowledge to be able to know the pros and cons when looking for professionals. This will be helpful to many.

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  6. Scams are common in the roofing industry and hiring a scammer with sub-par services will only end in disaster. Scammers will use sub-par materials and cut as many corners as possible to rake in as much cash. You won’t even know that you’ve been scammed until your roof starts falling apart at the seams a few months or years after the installation. However, hiring locally means that you can easily approach any roofing contractor you want to hire and ask for their credentials.

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  7. I really appreciate that you mentioned that you can get a quicker response from a roofing company if they are locally owned. That will be important for us because we will need to get the leak in our roof repaired before it rains again. To avoid water damage, I will be sure to choose a roofing company who is local.

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  8. I didn’t even think about how building codes would affect your roofing so I’m glad you mentioned it. It’ll be good to have somebody who knows about those. They’ll be able to tell you if your house is safe or not.

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  9. Thanks for mentioning that an experienced local roofing contractor will have the knowledge and skills regarding different types of material. My wife is thinking of hiring a roofing contractor next month because we’re contemplating changing out the material to more durable components. I think it’s a good investment to hire a local contractor that can list out the advantages and disadvantages of going with a certain roof type.

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  10. You made a great point about how a warranty is essential and can help you with any problems that arise in the future. My husband and I are looking for a roofing service that can help put the roof on our new home being built. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.

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  11. Thanks for the advice to factor in how durable a roof is before buying it. That way you can see if it will last as long as you need it to. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying for a new roof a lot sooner than anticipated which can cost you a lot of money.

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  12. I agree with you that a local roofer will know better about the local rules for roof building. I am moving to a new area and I’ll be needing to have a roof replacement for the new house I’m going to stay in. I will make sure I look for a roofer locally so that I’ll be following local regulations when having my new roof done.

    Reply

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