There are many roofing contractors – but there are far fewer roofing experts. It doesn’t matter if you need a few light repairs or a complete roof replacement. You want to make sure the roofer you choose is completely qualified to maintain and repair your home’s most important feature.
How do you find a reliable roofer near you? Don’t consult your Ouija Board or Magic 8 Ball. Follow our quick tips and the best person for the job will be knocking on your door in no time!
Know When to Suspect Dishonesty
As much as it pains us to say it, the roofing industry harbors more than a few unscrupulous characters. If you encounter a roofer who exhibits any of the following red flags, then they may be on the level – but you would be well advised to proceed with caution, if you choose to work with them at all.
- High-pressure sales tactics. Has a roofer recently knocked on your door to offer their services? Tread lightly. Cornering someone where they live isn’t necessarily coercive, but it does put them under pressure. An earnest contractor doesn’t attempt to elicit commitments from their potential clientele by compelling them to make split-second decisions.
- Large down payment. A down payment shouldn’t exceed 25% of the projected total cost of the project. A roofer who asks for an exorbitant fee upfront may simply be trying to maximize the amount they can steal from their victim.
- Vague contract. A reliable roofer explicitly details everything in their contract: the scope of work, the materials they will use, and even the days their crew will attend the property. A contract which glosses over any details (or worse yet, a contract which doesn’t exist at all) suggests underhanded business practices.
These aren’t the only warning signs that a roofer isn’t on the straight and narrow. If they submit a suspiciously low bid, request that their client obtains permits for the work they intend to do, fails to address the subject of lien waivers, or simply communicates poorly, then they may be unreliable at best – or downright criminal, at worst.
Look for Consistently High Reviews
If a roofer consistently delivers great results, people are bound to take notice. Look for a roofing contractor that earns great reviews online. If we may be so bold, allow us to offer our own ratings as examples:
- Google – 4.8 stars
- Angi – 5 stars
- Yelp – 5 stars
- Home Advisor – 4.8 stars
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) – A+
If a roofing contractor doesn’t have many (or any) reviews, take caution. They probably haven’t been in business for very long, which suggests they lack the experience they need in order to do exemplary work at your property.
Make Sure They Are Licensed, Bonded & Insured
We call them “the big three” – the patents of a roofing contractor that is operating in complete accordance with the law. Their license demonstrates that the government has determined the contractor is competent and operates legally. A bonded contractor is backed by a third-party guarantee that they will complete the work detailed in their contract. An insured contractor safeguards their client against negligence claims and civil lawsuits that could arise as results of their work.
A roofer who doesn’t have the big three may be unqualified to work at your property – and could turn you into the defendant in a costly and lengthy legal battle. In no uncertain terms, never hire a contractor who doesn’t willingly provide proof that they are licensed, bonded and insured!
Request Referrals
A reliable roofer has already honed their craft by repeatedly delivering outstanding results. If you ask one for referrals, they should enthusiastically begin listing the names and contact information for several of their recent clients.
But here you must proceed with caution. If a roofer may give you many referrals – but if they aren’t local referrals, then that likely indicates they are new to your area. That could simply indicate they have recently relocated. But it could also mean they are a fly-by-nighter: a roofer who travels to areas where homes and businesses have recently suffered storm damage. These opportunists aren’t universally disreputable, although they aren’t known to stand by their work when something goes wrong.
If you live in the greater St Cloud, Little Falls, Alexandria or Brainerd, MN area, then you have already discovered the most reliable roofer near you. We welcome you to contact Exterior Pro today for all your roofing or exterior maintenance and repair needs. Free inspection. Free estimate. Zero obligation!