Taking the time to thoroughly research and find the right metal roofing contractor is time well spent. After all, the contractor you choose will directly impact the outcome of your metal roofing project.
But how do you find the right contractor? Where do you start looking? How are you supposed to know if a contractor is reliable?
If you’re looking for a reliable, reputable, and trustworthy metal roofing contractor in your area, here’s what you need to know before you begin your search.
- The First Step: Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
- Roofing Contractor Research: 3 Ways to Find a Reliable Contractor
- Interviewing Roofing Contractors: 4 Questions to Ask
- Warning Signs: 5 Red Flags to Look Out For
The First Step: Schedule a Professional Inspection
Before you begin the search for a roofing contractor, there’s an important first step homeowners should take: schedule a professional roof inspection.
A professional roof inspection provides a comprehensive, unbiased, and honest report about the current condition of your roof.
One key benefit of a professional roof inspection is that the inspector is not affiliated with a roofing company or contractor. Their job is to provide an on-site inspection of the current roofing system, including the roofing materials, underlayment, weather-proof membrane, and roof deck.
Professional roof inspectors leverage modern technology, such as drones and infrared sensors, to determine the roof's integrity and detect any damage points or leaks.
This gives homeowners and roofing contractors full visibility into the current roof condition and can reveal problems that are much easier to fix when detected early. The national average cost of a professional roof inspection is around $235, but the expense is well worth the peace of mind.
Note: To avoid undue influence, DECRA Metal Roofing cannot provide a preferred list of professional roof inspectors. We can, however, recommend that you find a professional roof inspector from the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association (NRCIA) website.
Roofing Contractor Research: 3 Ways to Find a Reliable Contractor
After getting a professional roof inspection and understanding your roof's current condition, it's time to search for a qualified metal roofing contractor.
It's highly recommended that you contact, interview, and receive quotes from at least three to five contractors in your area.
While online reviews and local community groups are great places to start your research, they don't always paint the full picture. To validate online reviews and ensure they represent genuine customer experiences, consider asking for recommendations from local professionals, such as:
- Professionals in related industries, such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, or electricians, often work with roofers and can provide valuable recommendations based on their experiences with different contractors.
- Local building materials stores, such as lumber yards or construction supply stores. The staff at these locations often have insights into reputable roofing contractors in the area.
- Contact your insurance agent for recommendations, especially if your roofing project is related to an insurance claim. Agents often have a list of reliable and experienced preferred contractors.
Once you have an initial list of three to five roofing contractors, it’s wise to take a few extra steps to verify their reputation, such as:
- Visit the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and search for the contractor using their business name, phone number, or address. The BBB provides information on any complaints against the contractor and their resolution status.
- Contact state licensing boards. They maintain records of complaints against licensed contractors. For example, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in California allows you to check a contractor’s license status and view any complaints filed.
- Check with your state or local consumer protection office. These agencies often keep records of complaints and can provide information on any unresolved issues with contractors.
Interviewing Roofing Contractors: 4 Questions to Ask
Thoroughly interviewing and vetting potential roofing contractors is crucial to hiring a qualified, reliable, and trustworthy professional.
Here's what to evaluate and ask potential contractors during the vetting process:
1. Ask About the Contractor’s Licensing and Insurance
The licensing and insurance requirements for roofing contractors vary from state to state, so it’s important to research and familiarize yourself with your state's requirements.
Here are some general insights about licensing and insurance coverage that are important to be aware of, regardless of which state you live in.
- Licensing: In many states, becoming a licensed contractor requires passing two tests, one for trade experience and the other for state contractor law. A licensed contractor is likelier to have the skills and experience to complete the job properly and safely. You can do an online search for “my state contractors license board” to verify the license is active and current, or see if the contractor has ever been disciplined, fined, or suspended by the license board for any reason.
- Insurance coverage: Even the most experienced roofing contractors can get injured, so it’s important to ensure your contractor is properly insured per state requirements. Always ask for proof of insurance from your contractor and any other subcontractors used on the job.
Typically, a roofing contractor should have two types of insurance coverage: general liability coverage and worker’s compensation.
- General liability protection covers property damage or personal injuries caused by the contractor, equipment, or their employees.
- Worker’s compensation covers the medical bills and lost income of the contractor’s employees who sustain injuries on the job.
2. Ask About Their Metal Roofing Experience
Homeowners should look for roofing contractors with a well-established business, an extensive portfolio of previous work, and experience working with various metal roofing products. It’s important to understand that installing a metal roof is not the same as installing asphalt shingles, so be sure to ask about a contractor’s specific experience installing metal roofs.
While most metal roof installations aren’t difficult for experienced roofers, the installation process and the required tools differ from other roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles.
Reputable metal roofing contractors won’t hesitate to provide you with at least three recent and local references.
When you contact those references, consider asking questions such as:
- How satisfied are you with the contractor’s work?
- Were there any unexpected issues or costs? If so, how were they handled and resolved by the contractor?
- Did the work pass inspection the first time, or were corrections required?
- Was the job completed on time? If not, how did the contractor communicate with you about the delay and possible solutions?
3. Evaluate Their Communication Skills
Pay attention to how each roofing contractor communicates with you. Clear and effective communication indicates you’re talking with an experienced and trustworthy professional.
They should be responsive, professional, and willing to answer all your questions. Ensure you are satisfied with how they communicate pricing, timelines, and warranty policies.
- Discuss the pricing and payment terms in detail before signing a contract or starting any work. You should know the exact payment amount, the payment schedule, and any deposit requirements for ordering materials. It’s also a good idea to ask for an itemized breakdown of all factors (materials, labor, equipment, permits, and clean-up) affecting the project's final cost.
- Ask for a clear timeline of the project, including the start and finish date. Ask if any circumstances might alter the timeline and how those are handled. For example, what happens if there is a weather delay?
- Discuss and request a copy of their warranty policies. Some roofing contractors offer a one-year warranty against flaws or defects, whereas others may limit the time frame to offer repair services after the installation. It’s important to note that the contractor’s workmanship warranty differs from the roofing material warranty. The manufacturer typically covers the roofing material warranty.
4. Ask if the roofing contractor subcontracts out any of the work.
Ask specifically who will perform the work, and ensure that the roofing contractor does not subcontract the work to another crew without your knowledge.
Warning Signs: 5 Red Flags to Look Out For
While the vast majority of roofing contractors are trustworthy professionals, unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the bunch, just like in any other industry.
Negative online reviews are one of the most common red flags when it comes to finding a reputable roofing contractor, but it’s important to be aware of other, less obvious signs that a particular contractor might not be the right fit for your project.
1. Asking for Upfront Payment in Full
Collecting a down payment is a common business practice utilized by most metal roofing contractors. This is not a cause for concern, but it’s important to note that most states limit the dollar amount of the down payment that a roofing contractor can collect. While requiring a down payment is not a red flag, be cautious if a roofing contractor demands an upfront payment in full.
2. Extremely Low Quotes
Be wary of quotes that are significantly lower than others, as they may cut corners or use inferior materials. This is one of the main reasons why it’s important to obtain at least three to five quotes before deciding on a contractor.
3. Offering to Cover Your Insurance Deductible
If a roofing contractor offers to pay your insurance deductible, it’s important to be aware that this practice is generally considered insurance fraud and is illegal in many states. Offering to cover the deductible often involves inflating the cost of the job or not performing some of the work, which constitutes insurance fraud. Both the homeowner and the contractor can face legal consequences if caught.
Keep in mind that many roofing contractors offer financing options to help homeowners cover the cost of the deductible. This is a legal and ethical way to manage the expense and should not be considered a red flag.
4. Poor Communication
If a potential metal roofing contractor isn’t responsive or communicates poorly during the bidding process, communication won’t improve after the project starts.
5. No Proof of Metal Roofing Experience
A legitimate metal roofing contractor will be eager to share references and examples of their previous work with you. However, if they can only provide experience with asphalt shingle roofs or can’t provide any references from metal roofing customers, that might be a red flag.
About DECRA Metal Roofing
As the original stone-coated metal roofing manufacturer since 1957, DECRA Metal Roofing products have a long-established reputation for quality, durability, and longevity.
DECRA roofs are made at our state-of-the-art facility in Corona, California. All products are tested above and beyond the requirements to ensure the quality that DECRA is known for is present in every stone-coated metal roofing panel we produce.
We’re so confident in our products' quality, durability, and longevity that we back them up with a Lifetime Limited Warranty that covers 120 mph winds and hail penetration up to 2.5” in diameter.
Ready to see and feel the DECRA difference? Click here to order a free sample.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2022, but has been updated to include current information.
