When it comes to your home, you want any work to be done by a qualified professional that you are comfortable with. Your roof is no exception! One of the most critical aspects of the structure of your home, a roof replacement or repair can feel like quite an undertaking, but for many, finding the right company to hire for the job is often the most overwhelming part. Here in San Antonio, the options for available roofing companies is lengthy, and knowing where to start in your search to find a roofing company that will do high quality work for the right price is half the battle to getting your new or improved roof for your home.
1. Interview Several Companies
If you are starting from square one and have zero leads on a good roofing company, odds are you will take advantage of the all-knowing, ever informative google search. You will probably start with a simple “San Antonio Roofing Companies” search and then go from there. One mistake you want to avoid is hiring the first company you see or talk to. As stated above, your roof is a massively important part of your home, and you should have complete confidence in whoever is taking it on.
Interviewing several of your San Antonio area roofers will help you clarify a lot for you in your search. For starters, this gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the price range that you are working with. Also, by talking to several people about your situation, you might actually gain more clarity on what you actually need in terms of work that is necessary for your roof. Most importantly, by actually conversing with the companies, you are able to get a feel for them beyond just their qualifications to work on your home. You will be able to gauge whether they are professional, courteous, and someone you would want to deal with and have on and in your home. Everyone is different and wants different things from their hired repair company, interviewing allows you the chance to hire what you personally are comfortable with.
2. Search Local
When it comes to home repair companies, shopping for a local company is going to be your best bet! Because a local roofing company is going to be made up of people who also live in your community, this is the best way to find someone with a good reputation in and who cares about your community. You might even discover one of your own neighbors have used one of those local companies which allows you to get real, personal feedback in terms of the quality of workmanship and service.
3. Look at Online Reviews
In the internet age of society, online reviews can make or break a business. Reviews on yelp, google, and other business focused apps and websites give you a snapshot view of the overall service available from a potential San Antonio area roofing company. This can also help you get a gauge for how their work holds up long term and whether the majority of their clients are at least generally satisfied with the work they had done. Obviously, online reviews have a reputation for drawing every complaint, legitimate or not, but by looking at the reviews holistically, you can get a good view of the quality of a roofing company.
4. Choose a Roofer with Experience Working with Insurance
If you are planning on filing an insurance claim to get your repairs paid for, your choice in roofing company is that much more important. Having a quality and experienced roofer by your side can often help you get the best offer from your insurance company. Your insurance company will send out an adjuster to assess the damages in order to quote an appropriate repair amount. Having your hired roofing company be present for this assessment so they can thoroughly justify and explain any necessary repairs can help you get the right quote and reimbursement from your insurance.
5. Beware of Scammers
Unfortunately, in the mix of all the quality, high integrity roofers in your San Antonio area, there are also people out there wanting to take advantage of you. These characters usually crawl out of the wood works when roofers are most needed, for instance, after a large scale storm when a high volume of community members are hiring roofers for immediate repairs. The roofing industry is one of the highest attractors of the gypsy repair workers who will go door to door in order to inform you of damage to your roof. Sometimes, they will show up with equipment, ready to do the work right then. Do not be drawn in by this “now or never” mentality, as they will have a heightened sense of urgency to do the work immediately. The ones that don’t show up with equipment might offer you a “deal” that requires you to pay a deposit then to have the work done later. Never give money to a roofing company until you have verified their license, insurance, and business history. Don’t be victimized by these scammers!
6. Remember: Cheaper is not Always Better
Everyone wants to get a good deal, especially when it comes to high cost repairs on your home. However, you should be wary of super low ball quotes from companies to do the work on your roof. This is another instance that interviewing multiple roofers comes in handy. If 3 out of 4 quotes are similar in price, but 1 is significantly lower, this should give you pause. In this instance, ask questions and try to gain insight on what factors are causing the lower bid. Remember the old adage, “if it feels too good to be true, it probably is” and use discernment in these instances to avoid getting yourself into more issues that what you are starting with. Choose a roofer not only based on cost, but reputation, proper licensing and insurance, and available warranty to ensure the best available workmanship guarantees!