If you’ve been searching for “the best roofing contractor near me” you know you have plenty of options.
Sure, Google will give you lots of answers when it comes to “the best roofing contractor near me,” but in the end, you can only choose one. Even if a website shows up at the top of the search results, it doesn’t always mean they’re the best. Sometimes, it just means they spend more on advertising.
If you want to be sure of the best Central Florida roofer for you, you’ll need to do a little bit of detective work. Luckily, it’s never been easier to get the facts than it is today – you just need to know where to look and what to do.
Once you find a roofing contractor you can trust, it’s usually best to stick with them. A company that truly understands your needs and cares about your business will never steer you wrong. That’s one reason why so many people focus on finding a local roofing contractor in Central Florida.
Finding a good roofer can seem like an intimidating task. It might take a few days of effort and you may need to make a few phone calls. In the end, though, the extra work is all worth it. Your roof keeps your home and family safe and sound, after all. It should only be inspected, repaired, or installed by the best.
Let’s take a closer look at how to find the best roofing contractor near you:
1. Check Around in Your Own Network Before Going to Google
If you know that a friend or family member has recently worked with a roofing contractor in your local area, you might wish to start with them. They can share their experience and whether or not it’s worth going with the same contractor. If you end up with a good lead, you know where to start.
If you don’t happen to know anyone who’s done Florida roofing work lately, there’s nothing to worry about. You can still get reliable information online. In fact, the majority of people start their roofing search from Google. But it’s important not to take everything you read at face value.
2. Look at Reviews for Local Roofing Contractors Near You
Reviews are often a good barometer of a roofer’s quality. You can find out whether or not they’re punctual and have good customer service. The three best places to look for reviews are Yelp, Angi (formerly Angie’s List) and Google Reviews, which come up right on your local map.
All in all, good reviews typically translate to high quality. But keep an eye out. There’s nothing to stop a business from stuffing its own reviews with positive comments. You can start developing a short list as you see companies with a 4 to 5 review score, but you’ll still need to dig a little deeper.
3. Inspect a Roofing Contractor’s Professional Affiliations
There are lots of professional affiliations that can make a difference for a roofer here in Florida. To start with, you can make sure your prospective roofer is fully licensed and up to date. The State of Florida lets consumers access this information without having to get it through a contractor.
You can consult Florida’s roofing licensure lookup any time.
A roofer’s license is the very beginning. Peruse their website to discover if they have other credentials. For example, lots of top-rated businesses have been part of the Better Business Bureau for many years.
Industry associations are also crucial to distinguishing which roofing contractors are really focused on excellence. Here at Sheegog Contracting, we are proud to be among the ranks of GAF Certified Master Elite Roofing Contractors. This speaks to our focus on continuous education and improvement.
When you find a Central Florida roofing contractor who has strong affiliations, it almost always means you are on the right track. Roofing manufacturers are careful about who receives their credentials. It often takes hundreds of hours to meet the high standards these companies set.
In exchange for that hard work, a certified roofing contractor in Florida can access advanced roofing materials and has more buying power with leading manufacturers. This allows them to get roofing materials like shingles, tiles, and metal roofing panels at a lower cost to you.
4. Get Insight into How a Company Does Business Before You Decide
These days, a reputable enterprise in any industry will have a website. It doesn’t matter if they work directly with the public or with other businesses – if they are legitimate, they are online. It’s vital to remember that during hurricane season when many scammers go door to door.
From a roofing contractor’s website, you can learn a lot about how they do things. The quality of the website is an indicator of how seriously they take their work. But, of course, claims on a website can always be inflated. The best thing to do is discuss your needs with a roofing contractor directly.
An experienced roofing contractor won’t promise anything until they have seen your roof, but they can answer basic questions about how roof repair or roof replacement will go. You should get full, satisfying answers to every question you ask. If a contractor sounds evasive or uninformed, it’s fine to move on.
If what you hear on the phone matches with what you’ve read online, the next step is the scope. The scope of work has to be developed based on an in-person meeting where a qualified roofer examines your roof. This is necessary even if the plan is complete roof replacement rather than roof repair.
The scope should be provided free and form the basis of a full conversation about the project.
5. Insist on Everything from a Roofer in Writing
It’s best for your budget and your peace of mind to get estimates from more than one Central Florida roofer. That said, you can skip any roofer who doesn’t provide you with a complete written estimate.
When it comes to roofing, everything should be in writing. You should understand exactly what you’re paying for, what will happen, and what the timeline is. Likewise, you need to know there’s a procedure to verify any additional costs or unexpected delays before you pay more.
If a roofer is fully prepared with everything you need in writing, it shows they are not just good at roof work, but at project management. Project management is the science of delivering on promises on the timeline and budget specified, and it requires years of experience.
6. Give Yourself Time to Make a Decision
Once an estimate is provided, there’s a time limit: Cost estimates can only be locked in when the project goes forward and the materials are purchased at current prices. Still, you should have at least a few days to consider. Never let someone push you to sign a contract right away.
Contact Sheegog Contracting today for a Central Florida roofer you can trust.
