How to Choose a Roofer: Things to Know Before Hiring

Picture having to call a professional in the middle of a rainstorm. Or maybe you’ve had to do it already. Not a situation you ever want to find yourself in!

So yes, maintaining a protective shield above your head is far more than a mere home improvement priority. That makes undertaking a roofing project one of the most important decisions about your home. 

The single most important part of the job is choosing the right roofing contractor. A roofing project is a significant investment. Moreover, you can’t shave off the full cost by DIYing it. In other words, if you’re to pay a lot, you need a reliable professional to do the job right.

If you are wondering how to choose a good roofer, we are here to help. So let’s lay out the points to keep in mind and the questions you need to ask before selecting a roofing contractor.

And then we’ll talk about how not to fall prey to roofing scams (yes, there is such a thing!).

6 Things to Do Before You Hire a Roofer

1. Take (Their) Time to Understand What You Want

Before you start the search for contractors, you need to do some research on your own. The worst thing you can do while choosing a roofer is take a rushed decision. 

First you need to make it clear whether a roof repair will suffice or a complete replacement is needed. If you’re looking at replacement, you need to decide on the best roofing material depending on your requirements.

Understanding these factors will help you determine a budget for the project. Once your needs are listed, take some time to pick the best roofing contractions in your location. Choosing the first available roofing contractor is not the right decision.

2. Make a List of Best Local Roofing Companies

Once you start your search, it’s best to stick to local roofing companies. They have the best idea about the type of roofing materials that best suit the weather patterns in your particular area. 

Besides, they are easy to get hold of in case there is a problem. 

To help you make your pick from the local offering, always ask if they have a valid license. The rules of licensing in the roofing industry vary from state to state across Australia. But licensed roofers have more experience, better training, and public liability insurance. 

While non-licensed roofers can quote a lower price, you can’t be sure of their expertise, the work quality and, frankly, accountability. Even if such roofers accidentally violate local building codes, it can lead to serious legal consequences and heavy fines for you as well as them. 

On the other hand, licensed contractors know which guidelines and specifications to follow, and they follow them because they know they are there for a reason.

Not to forget, roofing is a work where safety is vital. Safety incidents will lead to delays in work completion and budget overruns. Licensed roofing contractors have better knowledge of safety protocols that were put in place to cut down the risk of accidents and property damage.

3. Ask for Referrals

Quite simply, you should get to know the roofing companies you are dealing with. And in that regard, it’s no different from inquiring about the best ice cream around. (Except it’s somewhat costlier.)

So yes, asking for referrals from family members and friends remains one of the best ways of finding a reputed roofer even in the digital era. Speaking with people who have direct experience with a contractor will provide insights about the businesses’ work quality and professionalism. 

Willing to go the extra mile? Then physically inspecting the previous works of a company is a good idea. Many fellow homeowners will understand your concerns only too well and be more than happy to show you the outcome.

If there are no known references, check online reviews. Focus on the newer ones that were posted within 3-6 months. But take them with a grain of salt too, especially if you notice many that are worded very similarly! 

Also, visit the websites of the businesses to find out more about them.

4. Check for Experience

In the roofing industry, experience matters, and it’s not a stock phrase. 

And when it comes to experience, there are two questions you need to ask a roofing contractor.

• How much experience do they have in roofing work in general?
• Have they already handled other roofs similar to yours?

Naturally, you would prefer to work with a company that has been around for years. It should still be around to honour any warranty requirements you may have down the line. Plus, an experienced contractor who has handled a wide range of roofing projects will have better problem-solving capabilities.

Experienced roofers will also have a better knowledge of various roofing materials and can provide expert recommendations. If any sudden challenge arises during the project, they will be in a better position to tackle them.

At the same time, the contractor’s experience in handling similar roofing jobs like yours matters. Imagine a contractor with 15 years of total roofing experience but minimal experience in handling EPDM roofs. If that’s the roof system you need, another contractor with twice as little experience, but with your roof type, would be a better pick.

There’s something else you need to know here. 

Some companies may outsource some parts of a complex roofing job to subcontractors. This is where things can get complicated. 

We’re not saying you should say no to begin with. After all, outsourcing is common in every industry. However, they do need to be super honest about the exact nature of these outsourced tasks and make sure that these subcontractors have proper licenses and insurance. 

5. Shop Around & Talk to Multiple Roofing Contractors

Talking with several roofing companies has a few advantages. 

Let’s consider you communicated with two roofing contractors. One suggests a repair, while the other recommends a roof replacement. Now, if a third contractor comes in and suggests that you can make do with just a repair, chances are that you won’t need to spend on a replacement just yet.

So how many roofing quotes should you collect?

Our suggestion—at least three. This will give you a better picture of possible solutions to the problem. Moreover, it feels good to pull the strings and have a choice. Quite important when there are potentially thousands of dollars at stake!

Also, go for an itemised quote and ask for a detailed warranty on the work done. This will make it easy to make direct comparisons between the proposals. And with more options, you can negotiate better.

Another factor to keep in mind is the time it takes to fix your roof. If there are serious leaks and the rainy season is around the corner, a busy company won’t be the right choice even if they’re best.

6. Price is Not the Only Thing That Matters

When selecting roofing contractors, “quality first” should be your motto. 

Looking for the cheapest roofing contractor to just get the job done is the wrong approach. At the end of the day, you’ll get what you paid for. 

Some roofers may lower their prices to win the contract but they will use low-quality materials and skip some crucial steps. A low price will also come with a shorter warranty on the work.

Don’t get us wrong. This doesn’t mean you should go ahead and pick the most expensive roofer. For roofing projects, pricing is the most important factor for most homeowners. But be wary of offers that are too good to be true.

With a cheap roof repair, you’d be risking problems and the roof might not last as long as you expect. A cheap contractor may not finish the work in time and end up damaging your lawn and landscape. 

In the end, you might have to spend extra on further repairs. Are the stress and frustration worth it? 

Hardly!

How to Avoid Roofing Scams

Ever heard of fraudulent scams by workers disguised as roofing contractors? 

It might sound weird that somebody even thought of it, but it’s a genuine risk. 

You may find fake roof workers knocking on your door after a storm, offering an unbeatable deal or a ‘today only’ special offer to fix the roof damage. “Storm chasers” are what these con artists are often called, and their primary targets are the elderly.

While some provide invoices from unregistered companies, others pose as workers from legitimate roofing companies. Advertising through letterbox drops is also a common practice of such conmen. They can even use fake websites of a company that look genuine.

Take it from Lanie Chopping, retail director at Consumer Protection in WA. “We appeal to people approached by these door to door scammers to reject them completely and always get reputable tradespeople and multiple quotes before agreeing to any work being carried out,” they recently said in a press release.

It is important to be wary of fake roofies who knock on your door, offering reduced prices and using pressure tactics to make you accept their offer. They often ask for cash upfront or mention that the reduced price is because of another nearby job that was just cancelled.

This is where following the points that we mentioned before gets so important. You need to shop around and look for references to choose a reputable roofer. Check the registration or licence details of anyone who approaches you and asks for written quotes. 

The safest option is not to open doors to any strangers. In case you have been approached by such people, contact the police immediately.

How to Choose a Roofer: FAQs

How do I choose a reliable roofing contractor?

Choosing a reliable roofing contractor involves searching out local businesses, checking reviews, and querying your relatives and friends. It is important to do the right research and arrange a meeting with them to discuss the exact requirements of the job. Lastly, contact multiple companies to receive the quotes in writing.

What questions to ask when getting a new roof?

The questions that you should ask a roofer before getting a new roof should be regarding the company’s credentials and overall work experience. In addition, you should ask about their license, insurance, and workmanship warranty.

How long should a roof last?

How long a roof will last depends on the materials used and the quality of work. Generally, an asphalt shingle roof lasts for 20-30 years, whereas a metal roof can last for 40-70 years. Tile and concrete roofs can last more than 50 years.