3 Things Not to Do When Hiring a Roofer

by | Apr 13, 2017 | Buyer Beware

hiring a rooferWhether you’re considering a minor repair or a major replacement, finding the right roofer isn’t a task to be taken lightly. Restoring your roof means making a significant investment in your home. You need to find the right roofer for the job—someone with demonstrated expertise and a commitment to quality workmanship—to keep the roof above your head looking good and doing its best to protect your home.

Here are three things you shouldn’t do when hiring a roofer:

1. Don’t Choose Non-Professional Roofers

When looking for a roofer to work on your home, make sure you avoid:

  • Fly-by-Night Roofers: These types of roofers can wear a range of different hats (storm chasers, door-to-door roofers, etc.). Sometimes you’ll see their flyers pinned up around your neighbourhood. In other cases, they’ll arrive at your door unasked and unannounced in the wake of a major storm or after “just finishing a roof down the street.” They’ll typically promise big discounts if you can pay in cash, perform shoddy work (if they do anything at all), and then vanish with your money in their pockets.
  • Weekend Warriors and DIYers: These types of “roofers” don’t always mean badly, but they—like their fly-by-night cousins—typically lack the necessary skills to do the job right and the insurance to keep you and your home protected.

Repairing or replacing your roof is a major undertaking. To be confident in the results, you need to put your roof in professional, trustworthy, and experienced hands.

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Whether questions to ask or pitfalls to watch for, our buyer beware resources have the information you really need.

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2. Don’t Skip the Research-Each-Roofer Phase

In order to find out if a roofer is really what they say they are, you need to do your homework:

  • Learn about Each Roofer’s Reputation: Take a look at the customer testimonials shared on each roofer’s website and review third-party sources like HomeStars. Don’t forget to check out their Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, which will also include any current and resolved complaints.
  • Confirm each Roofer Has a Physical (and Local) Location: Legitimate roofing companies will have physical locations out of which they operate. If you ask and a roofer gives you a PO Box, follow up to get the actual physical address of their business.
  • Make Sure They Have the Right Insurance: Roofers need to have two types of insurance – General Liability and Workers’ Compensation. This will protect you, your home, and a roofer’s crew in the event that someone or something is hurt or damaged while your roof is being worked on.
  • Look into the Warranties Each Roofer Offers: Offering comprehensive warranties is a sign that a roofer takes pride in their workmanship. Your roofer should also be able to advise you on manufacturer warranties, including whether or not they’re transferrable between homeowners (a great selling feature if you put your home on the market).

Make sure you take the time to compare a few different roofing companies (aim for two or three) before you acquire written quotes and make your final decision.

Read our blog to learn the 10 questions you should ask your roofer before hiring them.

3. Don’t Skim Over Your Contract

Your roofing contract should be comprehensive. It needs to have all the information you need to make an informed choice, including:

  • Details about how many layers need to be stripped from your current roof, the type of underlayment that will be used, and whether or not new flashing will be installed (to name a few). If your contract only says “replace existing roof with new underlayment, flashing, and shingles,” you need to get more information.
  • The schedule your roofer will follow. Unpredictable weather can make an exact schedule hard to nail down, but your roofer should provide you with a general timeline and call before they plan to arrive.
  • Information about payments, including the deposit required and time you have to rescind or terminate without incurring a penalty.

Do you know what details you need to look for in your roofing contract? Read our blog to find out!

Knowing what to do (and what not to do) when choosing a roofer will mean you get the best work and, more importantly, the best roof for your home.


Herb Lodde Roofing has been providing quality roof replacements and repairs since 1964. We stand behind our workmanship and are committed to delivering superior results using the best materials. Contact us today to schedule your in-home consultation!

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