There are many factors to consider when looking for a professional roofing contractor, especially if you’re looking for specialised roofing materials. Picking the wrong contractor for your project can lead to more problems in the long term and may leave you wishing you’d chosen differently.
Below, we’ve included everything you need to know about picking the right roofing company, with clear dos and don’ts to help you recognise the qualities of a good roofing contractor and how you can get the best service you possibly can.
Signs of a Professional Roofing Contractor
Licensing and Insurance
Licensing and insurance aren’t the most exciting qualities of a professional roofing contractor, but they are nonetheless important. A good contractor will have all the necessary licences and permits to allow them to operate in your area. Companies should also have liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance to protect you and their employees.
Portfolio of previous work
Any trustworthy roofing contractor should have a portfolio of previous work to show prospective clients. These could be on their website or on social media platforms. Displaying photos and details of previous projects shows they are proud of their work. It is also how you can decide whether a contractor is suited to your needs and can carry out the work you require.
Clear communication
Clear communication between a contractor and the client is crucial to ensuring a smooth transaction, whether it is good or bad news. The customer should easily be able to raise concerns should they need to, and the contractor should be able to inform the customer of any unexpected issues comfortably.
Common ways to get in touch are by phone or email, and you can find these details on most websites, Google Business Pages, social media, and other business advertisements. If they have an office, do it the old-fashioned way and visit them. You’ll be able to gauge the type of business they are and put a face to a name.
An accredited business
A good contractor must be accredited to show that they keep up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations. For example, at S&J Roofing, we are an approved member of the FMB, which informs our customers that our work has been carefully checked to ensure we uphold the standards of the largest federal in England.
We are also members of the government-endorsed Trust-Mark scheme, which helps potential customers find reputable companies.
Positive customer reviews
This may be an obvious one, but positive customer reviews are one of the biggest testaments to whether someone is a professional contractor or not. Of course, it’s hard for any company to only receive good reviews, but their testimonials should give you a consensus on how they are as a contractor. You can find testimonials on company websites, Google My Business pages, Trustpilot, and more.
If there are bad reviews, look at how the company responded to them and whether they have been resolved and dealt with professionally.
Awards and certifications
Another great sign is if a company has received awards for their services. These can range from:
- Recognition of Excellence: This is a testament to the contractor’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality services, meet deadlines, and exceed client expectations.
- Industry Credibility: Contractors or businesses that regularly receive awards start to gain credibility within the industry. These awards can serve as third-party validation of their skills and accomplishments.
- Track Record of Success: Winning awards can signify a contractor’s track record of successful projects. These awards are based on the results of completed work, customer satisfaction, and adherence to industry standards.
For example, the Three Best Rated Certificate of Excellence is an award that was created in 2014 to identify the top three local tradesmen in one area. They check everything from business reviews to reputation, history, complaints, ratings, and more. If a business receives this award, you can trust that they are a reliable and reputable business within your local area.
We are proud to be recipients of the Three Best Rated Certificate of Excellence for three years in a row, which is a fantastic achievement and testament to the business.
Transparent pricing
A professional roofing contractor should provide a detailed and transparent price estimate, with clear breakdowns of costs for materials, labour, and any additional expenses. They will also shy away from any high-pressure sales tactics or offers that seem too good to be true.
If you’re unsure about the quote you have received from a contractor, feel free to contact a second reputable contractor for a price comparison. Doing this isn’t unheard of, and it is an industry norm to provide no-obligation quotes for customers. Comparing quotes is a usual practice within the construction industry. If a contractor is hesitant to provide a quote with no strings attached, take this as a warning sign.
If you would like a quote for your roofing needs, please get in touch using our contact form.
Written contracts
A professional contractor should provide a written contract that outlines the scope of work, materials to be used, costs, timelines, and warranties before they start work. This is to ensure both parties are aware of these things and that there will be no hidden surprises throughout the project. Avoid contractors who insist on verbal agreements or refuse to provide a written contract.
Materials and Workmanship
It is worth inspecting the materials the roofing contractor plans to use and then asking about their experience with those materials. If they don’t know why they’re using certain materials or the method behind certain processes, it may be because they simply don’t know enough about the work. A good contractor will only take on a job that they know they can do well and to a high standard.
What questions should I ask a roofing contractor?
As mentioned above, communication is key to ensuring you pick the right contractor. Below are some roofing questions we recommend asking before agreeing to their terms.
- Can I take a look at their previous work?
- Can I get an estimate in writing, along with any other contracts or quotes?
- What is your guarantee or policy for repair work?
- Will I need planning permission?
- What materials do you suggest, and why?
- What are your payment terms?
- How do you ensure the work is done safely?
- How do you dispose of the waste?
- Will it be safe to stay in the building during the roofing works
How do I approach a roofing contractor?
So you’ve found a contractor you like and now need to know how to approach them with your project request.
If you haven’t already, get in touch with them for a quote and discuss the details of the roofing work you require to ensure they have a clear understanding of the project and that you’re both on the same page. If they are happy that they can deliver what you want, and you’ve used the information above to assess whether you think they’re a good fit, it’s time to get the ball rolling.
When you’re ready, go back to them with the quote they gave you and ask them about their availability. Schedule a time for the project to start that works for both you and the contractor, and ask for an estimate of future timings so you can understand when the work will be completed.
A good contractor will let you know if any issues arise and manage your expectations accordingly.
Remember, if you do all this and they do a great job, don’t forget to leave a review; it will help other prospective clients searching for a trusted roofing contractor.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, professional roofing contractor in the South West that you can trust, why not look at our Google reviews or previous work? If you like what you see, please contact us to discuss your roofing project.
At S&J, our trained team can reconstruct your whole roof, providing a traditional or more modern roofing system. We only work with the best, highest-quality materials and use advanced roofing techniques to deliver a roof that will last years.