Guest Blogger: Top 5 Tips for Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Guest Blogger #903, Entry #2113, March 16, 2013

Whether you need repairs done on your roof or it’s time to replace the hat on your house, you will likely find yourself searching for a roofing contractor that can get the job done for an affordable price. The problem is that anything having to do with your roof is bound to cost a pretty penny, and when you cheap out you get what you pay for. On the other hand, those who know little to nothing about roofing could end up paying an arm and a leg for subpar materials and labor without being the wiser until the roof is falling in on them. So if you are relatively new to the trials of homeownership, or you’ve simply never had to deal with roofing issues before, here are a few tips to help you find the right roofing contractor for your job.

Before you hire a roofing contractor, look at these tips

Image via: Bernard André

1. Get referrals.

The best place to start when it comes to home repairs of any type, roofing included, is with trusted referrals from family, friends, and coworkers. These people generally have your best interests at heart and they will not hesitate to recommend a contractor that has served them well in the past (or lambast one that defrauded them). Of course, your situation may be different from theirs; you might need a whole new roof whereas they merely had some minor repairs done, for example. So you’ll want to get several bids before you decide on a contractor. But referrals can give you a better starting point than flipping through the yellow pages.

2. Look for longevity.

A contractor that has lasted a long time in the business is likely doing something right. If he was delivering low quality products or services, you might expect that people would have sued him, effectively putting him out of business. If, on the other hand, he provides good services at competitive prices and leaves a trail of happy customers in his wake, he’s likely to enjoy a long and fruitful career.

3. Check with the BBB.

It is the job of the Better Business Bureau to field complaints from consumers who are, for one reason or another, unsatisfied with the products or services they have received. As a consumer yourself, it’s a good idea to check in with the BBB before you hire a contractor to see if there are any reviews or complaints that can help you to make your decision. If there are a lot of complaints about the roofers you’re considering, you might want to keep looking.

Check the roofing contractor’s credentials and past projects

Image via: Ron Brenner Architects

4. Get bids.

Once you’ve gotten some referrals and checked with the BBB, it’s time to start getting bids, and this means having roofers come to your house, inspect your roof, and tell you what needs to be done to get it in ship shape. They should also give you estimates on the cost of the project as well as how long it’s going to take.

5. Go with your gut, but be informed.

Whether you’re looking for roofing in Dallas, Des Moines, or Detroit, you’re bound to come across contractors that you simply don’t like for one reason or another. Of course you need to hire a roofer that you’re comfortable with, but it might be more important to pick someone who knows what he’s doing. So take the time to do some research so that you are familiar with roofing lingo and standard pricing. Then you’ll at least know who’s on the up-and-up and from there you can choose someone that you feel confident and comfortable hiring.

For more home maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.