How to Find Reliable Roofing Contractors

On average, a roof will last about 30 years. Some roofing materials can last longer, but it is inevitable that every roof will eventually require replacement. When that time comes, you need to find a roofer you can trust. Choosing a reliable roofing company isn’t always easy, though. When you’re looking for reliable roofers, you need to be a discerning consumer. Hiring a roofer doesn’t have to be a hassle when you know what to look for. Here are the items to consider before committing to a roofing contractor.

Check Their Credentials

When you’re wondering how to find a qualified, reliable roofer, start with the basics first. The most essential qualification for roofing companies is current licensure in their state of operation. A licensed roofing contractor is one that has satisfied the criteria required to earn the license, so you can be sure that such individuals meet the minimum requirements for how to find a roofer.

Of course, a license isn’t the only qualification a roofer should have. You should also only employ roofing contractors who are insured to minimize liability. A roofer who is insured is protected in the event that an injury or incident happens on the job site. This eliminates the personal liability you may incur for such an accident, so it’s a critical protection to require when choosing your roofer.

Research Accreditation

Credentials are a strong indication of a roofer’s qualifications — but they are still not enough. Once you’ve verified a roofer’s licensure, you should research their accreditation with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau. BBB accreditation entails voluntary submission to the standards of the organization in order to maintain a higher level of service and customer satisfaction. It also often signifies community involvement beyond the maintenance of the business.

How does a business become BBB accredited? In order to earn the BBB seal of approval, a business must apply to the organization, pay the annual accreditation fee, and undergo an assessment of the company’s customer service track record. If the assessment returns satisfactory results, they are awarded Accredited Business status, which must be maintained by diligently preventing customer complaints and resolving them quickly and effectively if they do arise.

Verify Contact Details

If you’re ready to start reaching out to roof contractors, the next step is to verify the contact details of a roofing company in Sacramento. If you do a search and find that a roofing company’s contact information is outdated, it suggests that they may not be particularly accessible to clients. It’s important, then, to verify all contact details that a roofing company offers, starting with the phone number. Give them a call to ensure that the contact info you’ve found is accurate, and if it’s not, consider continuing your search elsewhere.

If the phone number checks out, it’s time to conduct some research on the address. Is their business actually located at the address listed? If so, great, but if not…why not? Maintaining a physical storefront can be an important factor in particular industries, and providing accurate information about that storefront is also important. If you cannot verify a roofing company’s address with online research, it may be worth driving past the address to confirm the accuracy of the information.

Ask the Right Questions

There are many approaches to how to choose a roofing contractor, but informed customers know they won’t get answers without asking questions. It’s a good idea to have interview questions for roofers ready to go when you schedule consultations and estimates. To know what questions to ask, though, you need to know what to look for in a roofer.

You’re looking for honesty, value, and reliability, so the questions you ask should reflect this. Ask prospective roofers about their on-time completion rate and note how they respond. Ask about their pricing structure, too, to determine whether they charge customers fairly. The answers you get to these questions will help you understand the kind of roofer you’re dealing with, and aid in determining whether they’re worth hiring.

Research the Reviews

Are you still not sure of how to hire a roofing contractor? Perhaps the best source of information is the reviews left by previous customers. Sites like Google and Yelp serve as an aggregate for feedback from prior clients, and these reviews provide a wealth of information. Most companies receive an average rating, ranging from one to five stars, and this is an insightful metric for when you need an at-a-glance look at customer satisfaction.

Pay attention to what the reviews say about a contractor’s reliability, honesty, and value. These are all important metrics to take into consideration when you’re making a decision about the roofer you are going to hire. Compare feedback from clients to the claims made by a contractor, too, to make sure that they align.

Consider Value, Not Price

People who want to know how to find a good roofing contractor often prioritize price above all else. But “good” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap” — and in fact, sometimes the opposite is true. It’s often said that you’ll get what you pay for, and in the world of construction, this is usually the case. You don’t necessarily want to opt for the cheapest contractor, but you also do not want to spend more than necessary — so what do you do?

Consider value rather than price. When you gather estimates from various roofers, be sure to get specifics on what exactly their price includes. Is one roofer offering a warranty? Is another using higher quality materials? These are all questions to take into consideration and ultimately determine the value of the service being offered. Focus on the best value — not the lowest price.

How To Find a Reliable Contractor

Finding a reliable roofer may seem like a monumental task, especially when there are many companies to choose from. The process doesn’t have to be stressful, though, if you know what qualities to look for and how to find that. Skip the search and let Yancey Home Improvement prove why we’re one of the top roofing contractors serving Sacramento and beyond. Reach out for more information on how we can repair, replace, or maintain your roof.