Finding a local, reputable, and experienced roofing contractor can be challenging, especially in the aftermath of a damaging storm. Your roof protects your family from outside elements and covers ninety percent of your assets, so it is important to find a reputable and locally owned company that is experienced in the insurance claims process and spotting wind and hail damage. Hiring the right contractor the first time will save you money, headaches, and time in the future.
Hire Right the First Time
In the event of large storms, we all know that storm chasers will flood the area so it can be overwhelming trying to find a local, reputable, and qualified roofing contractor that you can trust and will be there for you long after the roof install is completed. We wanted to give you some helpful tips when hiring a roofer and some easy signs to look out for.
- Local Reputable and Experienced
It is best practice to hire a contractor who has experience handling insurance claims and who has experience in hail damaged roofs. With the complexity of insurance claims, having a contractor who is comfortable navigating the process is beneficial. The roofing contractor will be your advocate throughout the insurance claims process and will help you hold the insurance company accountable for the damaged incurred.
- Local License Plate
A quick and easy thing you can do to check if the roofing contractor is local, is to take a look at their license plate. - Check the Company's Website and Social Media
An established company typically has a professional website outlining who they are and what they do. Now, many companies are also on social media so take a look at their Facebook or Instagram. You can learn a lot about a company by doing so. - Online Reviews
Another quick way to check if the company is reputable, is to look into their online reviews. You can do a quick Google search over any company to see how many reviews they have and how they are ranking out of 5-stars. This is a great way to see what their past customers are saying based on their personal experiences. - Offers Warranties
Make sure your roofing contractor offers warranties. Your roofing contractor should offer workmanship and manufacturer warranties. A workmanship warranty covers you against costs related to actual installation failures and errors. The manufacturer warranty covers the actual products purchased. - Check Better Business Bureau and Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
Check the Better Business Bureau site to verify that the contractor has either an A or A+ rating. The BBB sets standards for ethical business behavior and monitors compliance. You can also go the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board to verify that they are in good standing and have the proper licenses to conduct work in Oklahoma. - Check Insurance
It is important to check that the roofing contractor is properly insured. Worker's compensation, auto insurance, liability insurance and property insurance are all mandatory and should be carried by your roofing contractor. If an accident occurs or a mistake is made on install, the contractor's insurance will protect you from having to pay for any mishaps on their end. Ask upfront for a copy of their insurance certificate to verify that it is valid.
Red Flags
- Cash payments
- Cannot properly answer the homeowner's questions
- Contract does not have a completion date, scope of work or price
- Contractor drastically reduces price of roof
- Pressuring to sign a contract or agreement without having time to properly review the documents
Finding and hiring the right roofing contractor will save you time and money. Be sure to find a contractor who is local, experienced in handling insurance claims and has years of experience with hail damaged roofs. If you are needing a roofing contractor, give us a call at (405) 607-0966 or fill out a Contact form.
