How to Choose the Right Residential Roofing Services for Your Home

Create a Shortlist

Start by developing a shortlist of three or more roofing contractors you want to consider. You'll do further research into each company and its reputation and skills.

To do this, ask for recommendations. Friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors who have gotten recent roofing services are good places to start.

You can also ask your real estate agent, your homeowners association, and any local trade organizations. These sources often have preferred contractors they work with often.

If you're still having trouble getting good recommendations, an online search can help as well. Searching "roofing services near me" will bring up a list of trusted websites for local companies.

Licensing

Any company you consider should be licensed in your state. This often requires them to meet certain standards or maintain the proper certifications. Companies with licensing will also be up to date on the latest regulations and building codes.

Most companies will mention on their website that they are licensed. However, if you can't find this info or want to double-check, visit Indiana's licensing board or contact your local Department of Professional Regulation.

Insurance

Insurance is an absolute must for any contractor, but it's especially important for roofers. Roofing can be a hazardous job, with contractors working on high ladders and atop your roof while performing complex tasks.

Proper insurance can protect them and you if an accident happens on your property. Their insurance should cover any liability on your end.

Warranties

Contractors who are confident in their work and skill will always offer a warranty. These should cover materials and labor.

Warranties help protect you from leaks, imperfections, and improper installation. If anything goes wrong with your roof within a specified time frame, your roofer should fix it free of charge. This is great for your peace of mind!

Check for Common Preferences

Beyond the basic requirements, look for signs that each company will meet or exceed your personal preferences. There are a few markers of great roofing contractors:

Years of Experience

There's nothing inherently wrong with a contractor who's just starting out. However, these inexperienced workers won't always have the skills and expertise of a more seasoned contractor.

That's why it's a good idea to seek companies with several years of experience. Often, this experience translates to better workmanship, more thorough communication, and faster and more efficient services.

Good Ratings and Reviews

While you're on the contractor's website, don't forget to peek at any testimonials they share. These reviews help you get a sense of what to expect from the company.

The ideal contractor will have a wealth of positive reviews. It's not a problem to find a few negative reviews in the mix, but you should take it as a red flag if you see a lot of them. This is especially true if those negative reviews all complain about the same things.

Don't forget to check third-party review sites like Google and Yelp as well. Because the reviews are stored outside the contractor's website, these sites offer less biased opinions.

You should also look at the company's BBB rating.

Honest Pricing

This is easier to spot once you've started collecting quotes, but some companies mention it up front. If a company makes an effort to offer honest and transparent pricing, promising that you'll never get a surprise fee, it can be great for your peace of mind. With these offers, you can trust the price they give you right off the bat.

Look for Additional Benefits

The last part of your research involves "nice-to-have" benefits. A company missing these perks shouldn't be a dealbreaker, but if you can find a contractor that goes above and beyond to include them, it's a good sign.

Financing

It's possible to get financing from a lender for home repairs and improvements. However, some companies make it easier on their clients by offering in-house financing. For some homeowners, this is a definite perk, as it means you're dealing with fewer companies and transactions during your roof repairs or installation.

Additional Recognition

Does the contractor mention any local or industry recognition? Have they won any awards for their services or partnered with any local companies? Do they have approval from industry leaders?

Additional recognition is always a trust indicator. At TruChoice Roofing, for example, we've been HomeAdvisor screened and approved for three years, ensuring that homeowners know they can feel comfortable with our team.

Ask for Additional Proof

With the initial research done, it's time to get in touch with any contractors who have passed the checks above. Call or email them to ask about any of the points above that you weren't able to find on their website. In addition, ask about the following:

List of References

Ask the contractor for a list of references from recent projects. Call these homeowners to see if they were satisfied with the work on their roof. Be sure to ask about the roofer's professionalism, workmanship, customer service, and communication.

If you haven't seen any photos on the website, you can also ask for a portfolio of the contractor's work. This should include evidence that they've worked on similar roofs to your own.

Manufacturer Approval or Certification

Certain roofing systems need to be installed by someone with the manufacturer's approval. Contractors can get certified to perform these installations. Sometimes, this requires special training.

Without this approval, the manufacturer's warranty may not cover your roof.

Job Basics

Talk to the contractor about the type of roof project you need. Ask them to walk you through the basics of what they might expect to do. They should mention the materials they'd suggest using, how many people would need to work on the project, and how long this type of project should take to complete.

Get an Estimate

Once you've covered everything above, gather bids from any roofers still in the running. For many homeowners, the estimate is one of the most important factors to consider when hiring a roofer.

Let the bids come in, then compare them. Make sure that each estimate includes all of the factors you discussed with the contractor, including any services, specific materials, or warranties you want. Avoid fixed-price proposals, which often don't contain this detailed information.

Don't choose the cheapest option by default! Your goal is to balance the cost against the contractor's skill and your trust in their services. Choose the contractor who matches your budget and makes you feel confident the job will be done right.

Always avoid contractors who demand that you pay the full cost up front. If anything goes wrong, such as the company dragging its feet or failing to follow through, it can be hard to get your money back. Small initial deposits are fine.

Finalize the Contractor Agreement

Last, look through the contractor agreement and any other paperwork before you sign on the dotted line. This is your final chance to confirm that everything matches what you and your roofer discussed. Read through the paperwork in full to make sure you agree with everything it says, including:

• Price
• Project materials
• Estimated timeline
• Safety procedures
• Payment schedule
• Use of subcontractors
• Cleanup strategy
• Warranties

Never hesitate to ask clarifying questions! If your contractor makes you feel rushed or seems like they don't want to answer them, walk away. This is true at any stage of the process.

Once you're comfortable, sign the agreement. Congrats: you're on the way to home improvement!

Get Trusted Residential Roofing Services

Finding the right contractor can feel like a huge research task, but it doesn't have to be that way. By following the tips above, you'll have no trouble navigating your options to find residential roofing services you can trust. With a bit of time and effort, you'll end up with a repaired or new roof to enjoy for years to come!

If you're hoping to skip most of the research steps above, consider TruChoice Roofing. As the trusted provider of roofing services throughout the Fort Wayne area, we're proud of our high Google ratings, great warranties, speedy and skilled roof installations, and more. To request service, contact us today.