Choosing a Roofing Contractor
10 step guide to selecting the best roofer to install your new roof
If you are going to re-roof your home you need to find a roofing contractor to do the work and install the roof. Choosing a roofing contractor to install a new roof on your home can be difficult. Here is a 10 step guide to selecting the best roofing contractor to install your new roof on your home.
Guide to Choosing a roofing contractor
You will want to choose a reliable and trusted local roofing contractor to install your new roof. Keep in mind that there are a large number of roofing contractors in every geographical market. There are contractors that will temporarily work in a region following a major storm that damages roofs, these contractors are known as “storm chasers” and you should avoid them. You will want to find a local trustworthy and reliable roofing contractor that can provide you with a quality roof installation within your allotted budget. Let us examine the 10 steps for finding the best roofing contractor to install your new roof.
Step 1 - Personal References
Talk to neighbors and friends that had had their roofs replaced in the last 1-5 years. They can tell you the names of local contractors they selected or have heard of. Ask them why they selected that company, how satisfied they are with the roof, and what the overall experience was like. A helpful resource for this is Nextdoor. If your neighborhood uses Nextdoor you may ask your neighbors for references for quality and local roofing contractors. If you do not have personal references or do not speak to your neighbors you can skip this step.
Step 2 - Contact Roofing Associations to Find Contractors
If you are having difficulty finding roofing contractors try using Roofing Associations. Local roofing associations are a good way to find reliable roofing contractors in your area. Keep in mind that roofing associations have yearly criteria and standards that must be met in order to maintain their yearly member status. For example, if you live in Texas and you need a new roof, Google search “Texas Roofing Association”.
Step 3 - Contact CeDUR to Find Roofing Contractors
If you still can’t find roofing contractors we suggest contacting CeDUR directly. CeDUR has a strong network of roofing contractors that have experience installing asphalt, metal, concrete and CeDUR roofs. Depending on your location we may be able to provide you with names of quality roofing contractors in your area.
Step 4 - Understand if your insurance policy will help pay for your new roof
Depending on your homeowners insurance policy and coverage, you can get money from insurance to help you pay for your new roof. If you are not familiar with your homeowners insurance policy and it’s coverage, then you may want to choose roofing contractors that specializes in insurance claims so they can provide you with knowledge in this area.
Step 5 - Select 2-3 Roofing Contractors that can install your roof
You will want to be in communication with and get roof estimates from at least 2-3 roofing contractors. Most contractors can provide you with a Free roof estimate, so you should not be signing any paperwork at this stage of the process. A roof estimate will give you a better understanding of the size of your roof (which is measured in square feet), and the estimated cost to pay for a new roof.
Paying for a new roof is a big investment, so make sure you have trust and comfort in the experience and level of work that these contractors do. Keep in mind that if you want to install a higher end product like metal, synthetic or concrete then you will want to select a contractor that has experience installing those roofing products.
Step 6 - Review the roofing contractor’s website and read online reviews
Once you have targeted a few local reliable roofing contractors, make sure you do research to verify that the contractors are honest and reputable. You will want to visit the contractors website, read online testimonials and read Google reviews. When visiting the roofers website take a look at pictures of roofs that they have installed. If a contractor has a good portfolio of roof installation photos, they are more likely to provide you with quality service and installation.
Step 7 - Request a meeting with the roofers and meet with them personally
Meet face to face with the roofers you are considering. This will give you a good feel for their quality, professionalism, and trust.
Step 8 - Get multiple estimates for the roof work to be done
You will probably want to receive 2-3 estimates from roofing contractors. You will want to compare product price, schedule, scope of work, clean up, roof warranty and completeness of bids. If you have a certain budget, make sure you stick to your budget and clearly communicate that to the roofing contractors.
Step 9 - Double Check References
You may want to check references with other customers of the contractors you are considering to determine the level of quality, satisfaction, and value other customers feel they received. You want to make sure the roofers did what they said they would do.
Step 10 - Select a Contractor
After reviewing the bids and checking references, you will be in a position to select a contractor to install your new roof. In most cases this is the final step to choosing a roofing contractor.
