The largest and most crucial choice you’ll make for your roofing project is hiring a roofing company. While searching for one on Google is simple, choosing a trustworthy one is quite another story.

Ultimately, the roofing sector has maintained a positive image since all of the companies operate ethically. Thus, how can you know you’re working with a trustworthy roofing company?

All of it begins with searching locally.

The staff at Shumaker Roofing has provided honest guidance to homeowners for more than 70 years, helping them avoid the worst aspects of the roofing business. I’ll help you get started by explaining why it’s so important to hire a local roofer. 

You will discover in this article:

  • Why is it important to hire a local roofing company?
  • 5 things to look for in a local roofing company

image depicting the importance of hiring a local roofing company

Why is it Important to Hire a Local Roofing Company?

Hiring a local roofing provider is crucial mostly because you can locate them in the event of an issue. Any roofing company you are considering needs to have a local phone number and a real office.

In addition, a local roofing firm is familiar with the necessary documentation, installation guidelines, and other details to guarantee that your roof meets all state regulations. This spares you a great deal of trouble should you ever decide to sell your house. 

Nevertheless, since out-of-state roofing contractors constantly follow, it’s equally crucial if your roof sustains damage following a storm. By undercutting the prices of nearby roofing firms, these storm-chasing organizations dispatch highly skilled salespeople to quickly close deals on new roofs.

Sadly, a lot of storm-chasing businesses provide subpar work and have little regard for local standards or correct roof installation. Worse yet, homeowners who fall prey to unscrupulous businesses are given a “tail light warranty.” 

The warranty expires and the corporation stops returning calls as soon as their tail lights are no longer visible. While hiring locally reduces your risk of falling for a scam, this is not to argue that all storm-chasing roofing firms are terrible.

the image depicting "Things to Look for in a Local Roofing Company.

5 Things to Look for in a Local Roofing Company

You now understand the primary justifications for working with a nearby roofing provider. However, as I previously stated, there are many terrible roofers in every given location, and the roofing sector has a bad reputation for a reason.

Because of this, you must be able to identify a trustworthy local roofing company from a plethora of choices.

1. Reviews for the Roofing Company are Positive

When selecting a roofing provider in today’s digital environment, homeowners typically check reviews first. Remember that since people tend to err on the extremes, not every evaluation will be accurate. 

Reviews, however, provide a wealth of information. Reviews reflect a roofing company’s integrity, customer-focused approach, and ability to stand behind its work. 

For up-to-date homeowner experiences, look through the evaluations left by each roofing provider during the last three to six months. Additionally, be sure to read the homeowner’s justifications for leaving the review and the company’s response. 

If the majority of the evaluations are bad, you should stay away from that neighborhood roofing company.

2. In your State, the Roofing Company Possesses a License, Bond, and Insurance

Finding a roofing firm that is specifically licensed, bonded, and insured in your state should be your next step. These three documents guarantee the quality of your roofing job and safeguard you in the event that it isn’t.

Just be aware that not all states have the same standards, so your area might not need one or both. To make sure you’re current on the necessary permissions and papers needed in your location, I advise looking up local codes.

In this manner, before engaging with any prospective roofing firm, you will be aware of what to look for when requesting hard copies as verification. Look for a roofing firm that possesses all three, even if your state or region does not require them.

3. The Roofing Company is Established in Your Area

A well-established roofing firm with a solid local reputation is what you should search for next. Longer tenure in the industry doesn’t make a local roofing firm any better; nevertheless, it does guarantee their continued existence in the event of an issue.

In short, you want them to remain in operation so that, in the event that something goes wrong, they can uphold their craftsmanship warranty. A roofing company’s 20 or 30 years of existence is also worth mentioning.

In the roofing market, a well-established company is undoubtedly doing something well, since there are an increasing number of businesses opening and closing every day. Just keep in mind, though, that due to decreased overhead, newer roofing companies typically offer lower costs.

While this isn’t always a terrible thing, keep this in mind while obtaining estimates.

4. The Roofing Company Offers a Strong Workmanship Warranty

The next thing you should do is seek a roofing company that guarantees their job with pride. There are several different types of workmanship warranties, including ones that are one, two, three, five, ten, twenty-five, or even lifetime.

But the only businesses you should think about are those that provide robust craftsmanship warranty together with long-term protection. I advise aiming for a guarantee of at least ten years, but don’t be afraid to go above and beyond.  

A roofing business should have no trouble providing a 20, 25, or lifetime warranty if it takes care of its work and completes everything correctly. Regardless of the services the organization provides, make sure they follow their own advice by reading reviews and conducting your own research. 

5. The Roofing Company is Certified by Manufacturers

The leading shingle manufacturers select six to ten well-established local roofing contractors that have a reputation for producing high-quality work for certification on their products. Because of these credentials, companies are able to provide the greatest guarantees on roofing materials from a certain manufacturer. 

For this reason, you should give professional roofing firms serious consideration. This indicates that a roofing firm is trustworthy and recognized by the producer of shingles.

It doesn’t always follow that an uncertified roofing contractor operates a subpar business. Still, in order to obtain the greatest material guarantees and find out who the leading manufacturers believe in, you should absolutely check for certificates. 

image based on your description, showing a homeowner consulting with multiple roofing experts outside a suburban house

When it Comes to Replacing Your Roof, How Many Quotes Should You Get?

You now understand the significance of it and what to look for in a local roofing company after reading this post. Remember that you can’t locate a fantastic roofer by depending only on one of these factors.

To narrow down your search, you must apply all five of these factors to each possible roofing business. Now, when I say “each,” you might not understand me.

This post is, after all, about locating a nearby roofing provider. However, the truth is that you should contact and obtain quotes from a number of roofing businesses. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiring a local roofing company offers numerous advantages, including accessibility, adherence to local regulations, and accountability. By selecting a reputable local roofer like Shumaker Roofing, homeowners can trust in decades of expertise and integrity. Ensuring positive reviews, proper licensing, and strong warranties further solidify the reliability of the chosen company. Additionally, certifications from leading manufacturers guarantee quality workmanship and materials. By carefully considering these factors and obtaining multiple quotes, homeowners can confidently embark on their roofing projects, knowing they’ve partnered with a trustworthy and competent local roofing company to safeguard their homes for years to come.

FAQs – Why Is Hiring A Local Roofing Company Important?

1. What are the benefits of hiring a local roofing company over a distant one?

  • Local roofing companies offer accessibility, familiarity with local regulations, and accountability, ensuring a smoother process compared to distant contractors.

2. How does hiring a local roofing company ensure prompt assistance in case of issues or emergencies?

  • Local roofing companies can provide prompt assistance during emergencies due to their proximity to your location, minimizing potential damage.

3. Are local roofing companies more familiar with local building codes and regulations?

  • Yes, local roofing companies are typically more familiar with local building codes and regulations, ensuring compliance and avoiding potential issues during inspections.

4. What risks are associated with hiring out-of-state or storm-chasing roofing contractors?

  • Hiring out-of-state or storm-chasing roofing contractors can pose risks such as subpar workmanship, lack of accountability, and difficulty in addressing warranty issues.

5. How can I verify the reputation and reliability of a local roofing company in my area?

  • You can verify the reputation and reliability of a local roofing company by checking online reviews, asking for references from past clients, and confirming their licensing and insurance credentials with local authorities.