With so many options out there, it can be difficult to find a roofing contractor you can trust. A new roof is an important investment, so it’s worth it to take your time searching for a company that puts customers’ needs ahead of anything else. To help you with your search, we’ve listed some key ways to tell if a contractor is honest enough to deserve your business.
If someone from a roofing company knocks on your door and says he’s offering a specific price for every home in your neighborhood, turn them away! An honest roofing contractor will look at each home individually to determine problems that have led to roof damage, what it will take to prevent them in the future, and how much it will cost to do so. Only after this inspection should a roofing contractor be able to provide a quote.
After completing a thorough roof inspection, an honest contractor will give you their total cost for materials and installation. If a roofing company only offers a vague estimate, there’s a chance they will charge extra fees and expenses after the job is finished. A signed contract with an exact quote means there won’t be additional charges during or after the job.
Installing a roof takes much more skill than knowing how to slap on some shingles. To find a roofing contractor you can trust, look for a company whose employees are licensed and certified. This means they have years of education and training, have passed an official examination, and have undergone extensive background checks and drug tests. A licensed contractor will also carry insurance and be knowledgeable about local and state safety standards.
It’s not easy to find a roofing contractor who cares about meeting a customer’s budget, so look for one who offers easy financing solutions and guarantees the best price. An honest contractor won’t demand that the entire bill be paid upfront, but instead will accept loans and monthly payment plans to help customers afford a new roof. They should also be willing to compare quotes from other contractors, and if the materials and services are identical, promise to match or beat those quotes.
A trustworthy roofing company should be so confident in their workmanship, they will promise to repair or replace the roof if a customer isn’t satisfied. Honest contractors offer a warranty that covers the cost of materials and labor, so if any deterioration takes place even years after installation, it won’t be at the homeowner’s expense. Basically, once your new roof is on your home, you shouldn’t have to worry about going through the process again for as long as you live there.
Beware of door-to-door roofing salesmen who are offering cheap roof repairs or replacements. Some transient roofing companies watch for storms and head to neighborhoods where they know residents will need roofing work. They will claim to know all about insurance coverage and perform the work quickly, but the quality of work is often poor. And then if you end up having a problem in weeks or months down the road, the contractor is nowhere to be found, leaving you out of luck.A roofing company with local headquarters means they’re here to stay. It’s worth the peace of mind knowing you can visit their office anytime you have questions, and that if repairs are needed in the future, they will come back to fix them.
The best way to find a trustworthy, honest roofing contractor is to hear from their previous customers. You should be able to read testimonials from satisfied customers on their website, or perform a quick Google search to find positive reviews. If the reviews tell you the contractors abided by their initial quote, stayed on schedule, respected their property, and communicated well throughout the roofing process, it’s probably worth asking the company for a quote. You should also have no problem getting a long list of satisfied referrals from the contractor.
We’ve built our company (and even named it) on the principle of honesty. Our knowledgeable contractors will never provide a quote before performing a thorough inspection, and we will work with you to help you afford a new roof. If any problems occur after we finish the job, someone from a local office will be here to take your call, and we will fix it at no cost to you. And like any trustworthy roofing contractor, we’re happy to provide referrals! Schedule an appointment online with an Honest Abe location closest to you, or give us a call at (844) 298-4100.