Finding a roofing company that’s legitimate when it’s time to make a repair to your roof or to replace it altogether can seem like a daunting task. In addition to wanting to get the best quality workmanship, you also don’t want to blow your budget on the project.
This article tackles what to look for when vetting a roofing company.
How to know if a roofing company is legit.
1. Become an internet sleuth.
Word of mouth recommendations are great, but it is also important to do your own research. Look up reviews of the company online. They may be recorded on a variety of websites so you may need to invest some time going through them. The Better Business Bureau is also a great resource as they will rate the company as well as show that it is legitimate.
2. Find out the company’s insurance information.
Legitimate roofing companies are bonded and insured. You can request this information from the company, look at their website, or visit Kentucky’s Department of Professional Licensing to verify license information. If their insurance is not up to date, or they don’t have insurance at all, this is a sign that you should look for another company.
3. What do their references say?
Asking references specific questions about their experience with the company will give you insight into the company’s legitimacy. Ask if they’ve had problems since they’ve worked with the company. If you are only allowed to speak with references who had work done to their house within the last year, this is a bad sign. Speaking with references from a few years prior will help you to get a sense of the company’s ability to produce quality work.
In addition, if the company has social media and posts pictures of their recent projects, look at the workmanship. Does it look right? Do they do the type of work you’d expect to be done in your house?
4. How would you rate their level of professionalism?
A company that never gets back to your inquiries or responds in a flippant manner are signs that the company is not professional. Based on this experience, you are likely to find that the quality of their work is no better. You should not have to fight them tooth and nail to get their business. A professional company is communicative and wants to work with their customers.
A few signs that a company is not legitimate.
- No insurance
- Total project payment upfront
- A contract without a site visit
- Poorly written contract
- Bad assessment of the damages
