Something’s not right with your roof. Or it’s time for a new one altogether.
You know you need to bring in a professional. But how do you go about finding the right roofing contractor for the job?
In this post, we’ll look at 5 things to look for before you hire a roofing company.
5 Things to Look for When Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Fort Smith
You have a general idea of what you need. You want the contractor to be skilled and knowledgeable. You want them to be honest and to charge a fair rate for the work they do. And you want them to be dependable.
Here’s what to look for as you vet roofing companies for these qualifications (and more):
1. They Specialize in What You Need
Before you consider anything else, take a look at their website and the specialties they offer.
Do they do strictly residential work? How about commercial or industrial roofing?
Also, find out what their services entail. For example:
- Roof repairs
- Re-roofing
- New construction
- Homebuilder/developer assistance
- Realtor assistance
- Emergency response services
Also, if you know you’re going to need financial assistance, is this something they can help with? For instance, Foster Roofing can provide assistance with insurance claims. We also offer recommendations for financing.
It’s also a good idea to see if they offer free estimates, so you can compare different contractors on price as well as offerings.
2. They’re Locally Based
There’s nothing wrong with using a roofer who has a national footprint. So long as everything else checks out, where their home base is might not be a huge dealbreaker.
That said, there are benefits to hiring locally (in your town or your state).
The biggest advantage is that a local roofing contractor will likely understand the landscape and weather better than an outsider. Because the physical environment and weather conditions have such a big impact on roofs, this local knowledge will allow them to make spot-on recommendations.
It also gives them an edge when it comes to roof repairs. In places like Fort Smith which are particularly susceptible to hail storms, storm damage might be significant enough where you can’t afford to wait. You want someone who can provide timely services.
Another benefit of hiring a local roofer is that they can help you navigate the process of finding other kinds of contractors to work on your home. If their business has been operating for some time, they’ll have plenty of dependable recommendations to share with you. They’ll know the market better than an outsider would and can choose the best providers in terms of pricing as well as service and response.
3. They Have Professional Trust Marks
Trust marks vary from industry to industry. When it comes to construction and roofing, in particular, there are certain things to look for.
For starters, note how long they’ve been in business. The greater the business longevity, the greater the testament to the quality of the work they do.
Foster Roofing, for instance, has been in business since 1994.
Next, have a look at their website. Do they share information about the people working for them? If you can’t find any info about their employees, that could be a red flag.
Also, take a look at the About section of the website. Roofing contractors often include trust seals that demonstrate their workmanship and customer service excellence there.
In addition to sharing links to our Google Reviews and BBB Accreditation pages, we also include our professional associations with the NRCA, Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders, and the Northwest Arkansas Home Builders Association.
Another important detail to look for is licensing and liability insurance. Foster Roofing, for instance, is Arkansas State Licensed (#0156360413). Before you hire anyone, always get proof of licensing and insurance.
4. You Can Check Their References
While it’s vital that a roofing company be transparent about all the things mentioned above, sometimes you just want to hear it from someone else.
The first thing to do is ask your family, friends, and neighbors. See if they’ve had recent positive experiences with a roofer.
Do your due diligence as well. Google can be a really helpful resource for learning more about a roofing contractor’s local reputation.
Start with a Google search to see what comes up. Then head over to Google Maps to scope out their profile and read customer reviews.
This is another reason why hiring locally is beneficial. If a roofing contractor has a substantial amount of reviews, you may discover that you know some of the people who’ve reviewed them (as opposed to faceless users or faraway customers).
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for references. Roofing contractors understand how important third-party reviews are and will gladly point you to others who can testify to their credibility and workmanship.
5. They Do Comprehensive Inspections
One last thing to look for is the contractor’s approach to evaluating a job.
If you find a roofing contractor that’s ready to get started ASAP, no questions asked and no terms or contracts discussed, this could be a red flag. While speedy response times are a green flag, your contractor can’t afford to skip over critical questions and steps.
Ideally, your roofing contractor will ask about the circumstances of your situation. Was there a recent storm? Did a branch from a nearby tree cause damage? Did you find signs of a leak in your home?
They’ll also want to inspect the roof and your property for themselves. Yes, this will delay the repair or installment process just a tad bit, but it’s a necessary step. This allows the contractor to carefully evaluate the roof, including the flashing, chimney, gutters, valleys, attic, and so on.
Once they’ve seen it for themselves, they can provide you with an accurate scope of work, cost estimate, and timeline for the work to be done.
Hire a Roofing Company Today
Do you need your roof repaired or replaced? Or perhaps you’re building a new home, property, or community and need a roofer to install a brand new one?
To ensure you hire the right roofing contractor for the job, do some research of your own first. Find out:
- What their specialties are
- Where they’re based out of
- What official credentials they have
- What other customers say about them
- How they approach each job
If you’re looking for a place to start, contact Foster Roofing. We provide unmatched customer service, unparalleled craftsmanship, and top-of-the-line materials in and around Fort Smith, Arkansas.