Most United States residents are no stranger to stormy weather. Strong winds, heavy rains, and hail happen every few months, especially in the Midwest and Southern states. The negative side of these harsh weather conditions is the damage to your home, particularly your roof.
Hailstorms cause significant damage to roofs, leading to leaks and compromising the structural integrity of your home. As a countermeasure, the US has thousands of hail damaged roofing companies. Like everything supplied in excess, some service providers are not qualified.
Sieving through the many options to find the right one can be challenging. So, how do you find a reputable hail damage roofing company? Here are nine tips to help you narrow your options.
1. Researching Roofing Contractor
The first tip to finding a reputable hail damage roofing company is to research. Here, you talk to friends and family and ask them to recommend a few names and contacts. If you live in an area prone to storms and hails, your neighbors have likely hired a contractor in the past. According to Statista, as of 2023, America had over 86 million owner-occupied homes. With those many homeowners, it won’t be hard to get a few referrals.
You can also check on Google by simply typing ‘local roofing company.’ The search engine will narrow down your options based on where you live and give you results you can check out. Click each site and look at the service provided section. If you have shingle roofing, but the site only provides repair and replacement of tile roofing, then move to the next company.
Do the same for each Google result until you find one that provides what you want. From there, contact them and request a quote (usually free for the most part). It’s also a good idea to check out testimonials for professional roofers.
2. Evaluate Communication and Professionalism
You can tell a qualified hail damage roofing company by how well they communicate and conduct themselves. As you contact these roof service providers, note how thoroughly and promptly they respond to your queries. It’s not just you; check how they respond to other customers.
You can follow and check their social media pages and assess how they respond to comments and inquiries. Communication is a skill; a qualified roofing contractor will keep their communication professional. However, that does not mean they remain strict. No, they can be friendly but maintain a professional tone while at it.
Moreover, communication continues beyond phone calls and emails. Assess their level of professionalism during in-person appointments. Do they answer all your questions satisfactorily? Such factors indicate their quality of work and how they will handle your complaints or queries after the job is complete.
While asking too many questions and evaluating potential contractors may seem intrusive, remember it’s for your own good. According to Forbes, roof repairs cost anywhere from $150 to $7,000. If you’re going to pay that amount of money, you might as well get the value for it. Therefore, keep an eye on communication as it will set the tone for the entire process.
3. Compare Estimate and Services
When shopping for a reputable hail damage roofing company, the next step is comparing roofing estimates and services. First, you must narrow your options to a few so you don’t get overwhelmed by the emails. The golden rule is to get estimates from at least three companies. You can request more if you want, but keep it reasonable.
Comparing roofing estimates doesn’t mean looking for the most affordable offer. There are a few things you must look at. You must examine the scope of services offered, materials proposed, labor costs, and other additional charges. One company may provide additional work that benefits your roof, apart from the primary service. For example, let’s say that the hail broke a tree branch that hit one side of your roof. One contractor may only repair that part, while another offers after-storm cleaning services.
The latter will cost more than the former, but you have to consider the value you’re getting. Such additional services may seem unnecessary initially, but they become more affordable when offered as a package. It’s also essential to note that some companies may initially provide low roof replacement estimates and then reveal hidden charges along the way. Take time to read through each item in the roofing estimate and ask for clarifications if necessary.
4. Check Customer Reviews and Ratings
After that, check out customer reviews and ratings. You can find these comments online, mainly from Google and the company’s social media pages. A reputable hail damage roofing company should have mostly positive comments and ratings.
However, also check the negative comments. They give you a balanced view of your potential contractors. You get to know their shortcomings and if they can affect the quality of work. While at it, check the companies’ response to the negative reviews and whether they offer to resolve the issues.
Such comments are part of professional communication; if handled well, they can give you confidence in the company. As part of ratings, you can check out each company’s ratings on reputable sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Angie’s List. These independent organizations provide ratings based on customer satisfaction and other factors.
For example, BBB has strict eligibility criteria for accreditation, such as proper licensing and no government ethics violations. It also requires companies to resolve all customer complaints and follow through with contacts and promises made in advertisements and business practices. If the local roofing contractor you are checking has a higher rating (4/5 and above), it’s a good sign they might serve you well.
5. Look for a Licensed and Insured Roofing Company
A reputable hail damage roofing company must be legitimate. That means having all the necessary local licenses and insurance. A mare license indicates that the company meets specific standards set by the laws of your state. It’s not given to anyone who decides to offer roofing services. That alone can guarantee that they know what they are doing.
Most contractors will include their licenses on display on their websites. However, it’s not a must. If that’s not the case with your preferred company, you can check if they have one with the National Roofing Contractor Association (NRCA).
On the other hand, insurance is necessary. Roofing work is dangerous and is prone to accidents. According to USA Today, the roofing industry had the fifth-highest rate of work-related deaths in 2020. It ranked 108th for nonfatal work-caused injuries. The primary cause of these fatalities and injuries is falls.
You might be liable if a roofing company is not insured and an accident happens while working on your property. Even if it’s not a fatal one, the medical bills can be enormous, leaving you in financial distress. Insurance coverage is essential to ensure you won’t be liable for potential losses.
6. Ask for References and a Portfolio of Previous Work
A reliable and reputable hail damage roofing company must have a portfolio of previous work. It’s a collection of photos and videos showcasing their past projects. But why do you need to look at it? It helps you judge the quality of their work and what you can expect from them.
The portfolio lets you see their expertise and whether they fit your preferred style. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that the US of A has about 135,140. Not every one of these professionals can’t be an expert in all roofing services. Some specialize in a particular type of roofing, such as metal roofing, while others offer shingle roof services. If you want a specific roof type, your best bet would be to opt for a company with experience.
Apart from checking the portfolio, you can also ask for references from the company of their previous clients. Previous customers offer an opportunity to talk past the contractor and get a first-hand account of their feelings about their services. If the contractor did a good job, the customers would be more than willing to recommend them.
7. Inquire About the Roofing Company’s Warranty
Warranty is a crucial factor when looking for a reputable hail damage roofing company. While most roofing materials have a manufacturer’s warranty, the contractor should also provide you with a warranty for their work. Accidents happen, and a newly installed roof gets damaged, but it shouldn’t cost you a new one if you already hired someone claiming to be an expert.
A warranty typically covers any installation errors or issues arising after completing the project. How long it covers your home can range from 1 to 10 years, depending on the company. So, while it won’t last forever, it must be there.
According to Forbes, roof replacement can cost up to $80,000 in places like Texas. If you’re to spend this much, you need to be sure that the company will fix any issue with your roof well after installing it. Besides, the installation errors are not your fault.
The warranty period should be reasonable. However, it’s not the length that matters alone. Check what’s covered and what’s excluded from it. Some roofing contractors may give you an extended warranty period, only for you to realize later it doesn’t cover much.
8. Ask About the Timeframe For Hail Damage Repair or Replacement
Hail damage varies in severity, from minor dents to extensive shingle damage. Regardless of the extent of the damage, it’s essential to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If it takes too long, your home could have more severe water damage and structural issues. Therefore, asking the company about their time frame for repairs or replacement is crucial.
A reputable hail damage roofing company can provide you with a clear and realistic timeline for the project. They can visit your house first to see the extent of the damage and provide you with an estimated timeline. If the damage is extensive, replacing or repairing your roof may take longer. However, it’s best to look for another company if the one you’re evaluating gives you a vague answer or has no clear timeline.
According to US News, the roof replacement process can take 1–12 days to complete depending on several factors, such as the type of material and size of the project. However, an experienced residential roofer can do the job for an average single-family home in two days.
If the contractor faces some challenges during the project that may delay the deadline, they must communicate with you immediately. Communication helps you rearrange your schedule and plan accordingly. It also enables you to evaluate if you will incur additional expenses. As a client, you must be in the loop throughout the process.
9. Get It In Writing
Promises are great, but written agreements are better, especially regarding a significant investment such as this. A reputable hail damage roofing company should provide a detailed contract outlining the extent of their work and the agreed terms and conditions. That’s because you might agree on something, but the contractor realizes it’s beyond their scope mid-way and does an entirely different thing.
The contract should include the project start and completion date, proposed materials, and payment schedule. It should also have cleanup procedures after completion and any other relevant information. Reading every detail of the contract before signing is essential. Feel free to ask for clarification if you have any questions or concerns about the agreement.
A detailed and well-written contract protects you and the contractor in case of any disputes or misunderstandings. It also ensures that the project meets your expectations within the agreed timeframe. Reliable roofers will have no issues providing a detailed written contract. If you have the time and a few more resources to space, you can talk to a lawyer for legal advice. They can help you understand the terms and conditions that untrained eyes may miss.
Hiring a hail damage roofing company is more challenging than it may seem. It requires proper research and thorough consideration of various factors. If you do it hurriedly, you risk entrusting your million-dollar home to an unqualified and unreliable contractor. Take time to evaluate multiple roofing companies and choose one that meets your needs, is within your budget, and has a good reputation.