How to Find a Roofer: 7 Tips from a Seattle Based Roofer

Having a new roof installed is a large undertaking and a major investment for most homeowners! Being both homeowners and running a roofing company in the Seattle / Puget Sound area, we wanted to share our thoughts on how to find a roofer. If you are reading this article and need a new roof, you are taking a great first step: doing your research before you hire a roofing company. Let's jump into the seven tips of how to find the roofer that’s right for you. Enjoy the video version of this article or continue reading.

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• Tip #1: Get a Referral from Someone You Trust
• Tip #2: Research Online
• Tip #3: Avoid Storm Chasers
• Tip #4: Talk to the Best Candidates Directly
• Tip #5: Judge the Customer Service
• Tip #6: Don’t Choose Based on Materials Alone
• Tip #7: Get Everything in Writing—And Read It!
• Tip #8: How to Find a Roofer in the Puget Sound Area

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Tip #1: Get a Roofer Referral from Someone You Trust

Eliminate the Bad Roofers

The best way to find a roofing contractor is to get a referral from someone you trust. Ask your neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers if they’ve personally had a roof installed or if they know of anyone else who has. NextDoor is a great app to connect with neighbors. Maybe your friends don’t know of the best local roofing contractors, but they might know of the bad ones which will at least help you eliminate some roofers.

Consider All the Factors when it comes to Roofer Candidates

When installed correctly using the best materials, a roof should last twenty to fifty years. Because of this, you shouldn’t be making your decision solely based upon the recommendation of people who have gotten their roofs in just the last year or two. Getting a referral from someone with a new roof can help you determine that a contractor is professional and reliable, but it might not be the best indication of the quality of their work. Try to find people with new roofs and older roofs that have stood the test of time over several years as well.

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Tip #2: Research Roofers Online

Review the Roofer's Online Reviews

If you don’t know anyone who has a trusted local contractor, search online review sites like Yelp as well as social media. Make sure you thoroughly look through the reviews. If the reviews are all five stars and overwhelmingly long and detailed, be wary. They may be fake reviews, especially if they all sound like they were written by the same person!

Real people tend to leave short, snappy reviews about loving a roofer. A legitimate roofing company will have primarily positive reviews, but it’s often normal for them to have some displeased customers as well. Just make sure you read why they are displeased and do not be afraid to ask the roofer about those bad reviews to hear both sides of the story.

Check the Roofer's Website

Review the top roofing contractor’s websites. You should be able to view a roofing project portfolio with photos of their work. Every roofing project is different, so ideally you should hire a contractor who has experience with your type of roof specifically. While you’re on the website, read any information there is about the actual crew. Professional roofing companies should be doing the work themselves with their own employees, and not hiring subcontractors.

Roofing Experience Matters

One of the top things you should be looking for in a roofing company is experience. If you see that a roofing company has already been around for many years, this is a great sign! It means they are both experienced and they deliver high-quality work.

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Tip #3: Avoid Storm Chasers

Avoid Scammers

There are also a few ways you should not find your contractor. For example, some roofing contractors will try to take advantage of you right after a big storm. Roofing contractors that are worth paying for won’t be making house calls, knocking on your door and telling you they noticed your damaged roof while at your neighbor’s home. These people are scam artists and should be avoided at all costs.

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Tip #4: Talk to the Best Roofing Candidates Directly

The Magic Number 3

It’s important that you narrow it down to a few choices, ideally three, before you make your final decision. These are the three contractors you should contact. Get quotes from them and ask them questions.

Check the Roofer's Credentials

Always verify the roofing contractor’s credentials! Any roofing contractor that’s worth paying for should be fully licensed based on your state’s regulations. They should also be able to show you proof of insurance, including worker’s compensation and liability insurance. You should not only ask the contractor to show proof of their insurance, but you should also call their insurance provider to ensure the information is valid.

You can also check on a contractor in the state of Washington at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

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Tip #5: Judge the Roofing Company's Customer Service

How is their Phone Voice?

The best roofing companies will differentiate themselves on the phone. When you call, they should actually answer their phones rather than send you to an answering machine every time you call. If they do happen to miss your call, they should return your call promptly. On the phone, you should be met with friendly, helpful staff. If you aren’t, you shouldn’t be expecting anything better from the roofing contractors themselves.

Sloppy Thinking Leads to Sloppy Outcomes

Lastly, it’s important that the office staff is efficient. They should have your information organized so it’s easily accessible each time you talk to them. All these details may seem like little things, but they all show the quality of the service you’re getting.

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Tip #6: Don’t Choose a Roofer Based on Materials Alone

Workmanship and Roofing Ninja Skills

Even if a contractor uses the highest-quality materials, they won’t be able to provide you with a high-quality roof if they have low-quality workmanship. The best contractors should know the right materials and techniques that produce high-quality work. In fact, a large amount of the work that the best contractors do is just replacing poorly installed roofs from ill-experienced contractors.

Say What You Do and Do What You Say

When it comes to Roofing, it’s important to choose a local company that has a successful, established business with a strong reputation. Not only does this help ensure the quality of the work, but it also helps with the warranty. Some unscrupulous roofing contractors will say they offer a warranty, but if there’s actually an issue a year or two later with the quality of their work, they’re nowhere to be found. They’ve moved their business to outrun unhappy customers.

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Tip #7: Get Everything in Writing—And Read It!

You should get all the terms of the job in writing including how long the roofing project will take and the size of the crew needed to complete the job. Both you and your roofer should be able to arrive at an agreement in writing. The roofing company also shouldn’t be asking you to pay for the entire job upfront. A deposit and payment plan is standard with payment in full upon completion of the roof.

You should always read any paperwork given to you by your contractor, including the contract and the warranties. Ideally, the materials and labor should be guaranteed for at least five years. However, the materials themselves should be protected by a warranty of 20 to 40 years.

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Tip #8: How to Find a Seattle Roofer in the Puget Sound Area