How to Find Good Roofers

Significant research is required to find a good roofing contractor.

If you need roofing repairs or to replace the roof on your home, it is important to find a professional, qualified roofing contractor. National and state standards in the home construction industry in the United States are in place to help you hire a licensed, insured and certified roofing company. Searching for a good roofer requires doing a significant amount of research considering that each state has different construction licensing requirements and many uninsured and non-certified roofers are doing business.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone book or access to the Internet

Instructions

1. Research state licensing laws for the roofing industry so that you can check whether the local contractors you are considering are sufficiently licensed. For example, in Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security requires that roofing contractors hold a Residential Roof Covering Construction Supervisor License, or RCCSL.

2. Look up a list of local roofing companies using the Internet. If you do not have access to the Internet, use the local telephone book.

3. Ask your friends and neighbors for any recommendations of reputable, local roofing companies. Personal referrals are often the best source to find quality service.

4. Put together a list of up to four potential roofing companies based on the research you have done.

5. Check that any contractor you are potentially hiring is a member of local or national construction associations, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association.

6. Call the roofing companies with a list of initial questions, such as their qualifications and basic cost estimates, to gauge their level of professionalism and customer service. This will help you further narrow down your list of contractors.

7. Schedule separate appointments with your list of contractors. Ask for written copies of their proposals and quotes for the roofing work that you need completed.

8. Ask to see copies of the contractor's workers' compensation and liability insurance coverage when you are in their offices.

9. Request client references from the roofing contractors that you are considering hiring. Follow up by calling these references to find out how satisfied the clients were with the contractors' work.

10. Visit your local Better Business Bureau to see if anyone has filed a complaint against the roofing companies you are reviewing.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your quotes for roofing repairs or replacement are done free of charge.

• When getting your written quote and proposal from the roofing contractor, ask important questions such as who will be managing the roofing project and how long the project will take.

• Be mindful of quotes from roofing contractors that seem particularly low.

• If you have a warranty on your existing roof, make sure the roofing contractor that you choose to hire will not void the warranty.

References

• Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (Massachusetts): New Construction Supervisor License FAQs
• National Roofing Contractors Association: Guidelines for Selecting a Residential Roofing Contractor
• Contractor's License Reference Site: Search for a Contractor