How To Choose the Right Roofer

Replacing your roof is a big decision. You want the best roofing company for the job. But how do you know what to look for?

Most people will only replace a roof once in a lifetime. It’s a big investment, and you want to make sure you choose the right company.

9 Tips From Maryland’s Top Roofer

How do I choose a good roofing company?

Often, homeowners allow price to dictate the roofer they choose. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you go with a roofer who can give you a bargain price but can’t provide a list of happy customers, you’re probably going to end up with a substandard installation.

Here are nine questions to ask before you hire a roof installation company:

1. How long have they been in business?

You probably wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has been on the job for two weeks. And you probably wouldn’t sign up for heart surgery with a doctor fresh out of school. So why pick a roofer that doesn’t have a long track record of doing high-quality work?

Unfortunately, fly-by-night roofers are notorious for disappearing to avoid paying damages, only to reopen months later under a new name. You can avoid falling victim to this type of unscrupulous contractor by working with a company that has decades of experience and a solid reputation.

2. Double-check licensing and insurance

Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why we never recommend homeowners take it on themselves. It’s important to have the right tools, materials, and safety equipment. It’s also important to have experience. Reputable roofing contractors hold the requisite permits and licenses for every job they perform.

A high-quality roofing installer will also carry all required insurance for its workers, which will cover them in the event someone is hurt during your roof installation. As a homeowner, you should never work with a contractor that can’t provide proof of proper insurance for its employees.

3. Look at past work

For most businesses that provide a service, reputation is everything. The internet provides unbiased, third-party reviews from people who have used a business’ services in the past. 81% of consumers say they research online before they make a purchase. Before you spend money, it pays to do your homework.

What do other homeowners have to say about the roofer? You can ask the company if it has a list of homeowners you can call, or you can check online for information about the roofer’s past jobs.

4. Price isn’t the only thing that matters

If you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation project in the past, you may have been told to “get three estimates.” No one really knows where this so-called “three estimates” rule comes from, and no one seems to be able to say why three is the ideal number.

There’s no reason why you should limit yourself to three estimates — or why you should go beyond one or two estimates when looking for a roofing contractor. Rather, you should spend time talking to potential roofing companies until you believe you’ve got all the information you need to make an informed decision.

To help reduce roof replacement costs, Nu Look Home Design offers coupons for roof replacement. Check out the deals before you choose your roofer.

5. Get financing agreements in writing

Every aspect of your roofing installation should be professionally documented, but it’s especially important to make sure you understand the financing terms.

A good roofing company will appoint a knowledgeable employee to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you have about payment. No part of the agreement should be confusing or left “up in the air.”

6. Ask what happens if you’re unsatisfied with the work

No matter how carefully you plan a roof replacement project, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong. If an error happens, how will the company handle it? This is something you need to know in advance. Will you spend hours on the phone, trying to reach a representative? Will the company take your money and run?

At Nu Look Home Design, we don’t accept a single penny in payment until you’re completely satisfied with your roof. And if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, we guarantee we’ll make it right.

7. Ask about unplanned repairs

Unfortunately, unplanned repairs and emergencies are more often the rules rather than the exception when it comes to home improvement. As soon as you start knocking down walls or ripping out cabinets, you’re likely to find additional problems that need to be addressed.

Roofs can work much the same way. In some cases, decking is rotten or damaged by moisture, or the team discovers water damage that needs to be repaired before additional moisture gets inside a property.

Ask your roofer how they handle unexpected repairs. This way, even if you’re surprised, you know what to expect.

8. Will the roofing contractor tear off your old roof?

Some roofing companies will install new shingles over an old roof. However, this is almost always a bad idea. First, it adds additional weight to a roof that’s probably already aging and due for new decking. Second, it doesn’t address any underlying problems, such as damage concealed by old shingles. 

In this way, slapping new shingles over an existing roof is a lot like putting a Band-Aid on an infected wound. You cover up the damage, but you do nothing to treat the real source of the injury. It can be an effective and cheap short-term solution, but it will cost you a lot more in the long run.

9. Ask if the roofer is an authorized installer

Is the roofing contractor a preferred partner and authorized installer for the shingle manufacturer? This is an important consideration, as manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when a roof is installed by a non-authorized installer.

Trust Nu Look Home Design With Your Roofing Project in the Mid-Atlantic

At Nu Look Home Design, we’ve been installing roofs for homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic region for 20 years. In this time, we’ve built a foundation of trust with homeowners in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and DC. Chances are, we’ve installed a roof for someone in your neighborhood.

Contact us today if you’d like to schedule a consultation or ask more questions about who we are and why we’re the best.