How to Find a Roofing Contractor You Can Trust

Whether it’s a warehouse, office space, or retail building, every time a new business location is built, it needs a quality roofing system installed to protect your inventory, employees and customers from the elements.

These 5 tips will help guide you on how to find a roofing contractor you can trust.

Eventually, most business owners will need to replace their roof or repair damaged areas. Because of this, it is crucial to find a roofing contractor you can trust to do the job right. Otherwise your project can end up running past deadline, over budget, and lead to potential issues down the road.

Business owners need to build a strong relationship with their commercial & industrial roofing contractor. With any construction project, communication is key. By developing a strong connection, it’s easier to communicate and collaborate effectively with each other.

With a bit of research and effort, you can partner with a reliable, trustworthy, and devoted group of roofers here at Sentry Roofing, Inc.

Finding the Best Contractor for You

Every business knows how important it is to have a roof that is strong enough to withstand whatever weather it is exposed to. Whether the building is large or small, commercial or residential, it is important to have a roof that is durable and protective.

Commercial roofing contractors are the professionals who are most qualified to install the best roofing systems for commercial & industrial building. There are a lot of things that businesses can do to make sure that they hire a competent roofing contractor.

Step 1. Research the Company

Before you hire any contractor, take the time to research them.

You need to find a company that offers the services, materials and options you need for your building. If you are unsure of what your building needs, your contractor should be knowledgeable and guide you through the material selection process.

Once you decide on the qualities you want in a contractor, it’s then time to compare their services and roofing products they offer. If you find a roofing contractor who has the skills, experience and offers quality roofing products for your building, then you should continue your research.

Step 2. Ask for Referrals

Choosing a roofing contractor is a process. Collect a list of references from your potential contractor and follow up with them.

At Sentry Roofing, on average 3/4 of our annual volume is due to repeat business or referrals. Producing great results in a timely fashion results in increased trust and strong relationships. If the company is good at what they do and provide great service, their past customers will be glad to return.

If you want your project done right, ask other local business owners for referrals and check out their customer testimonials. The best way to find a contractor you can trust is by looking at their past projects and recognizing how others perceive their business. You can ask fellow business owners if the contractor is timely, cost-effective and good at their job.

Once you find a prospective commercial or industrial roofing contractor, make sure you look at online reviews. Google, Facebook, and other review sites offer insight into the company’s reputation. You can also read through individual comments to learn more about the average customer’s experience.

One of the best things you can do is to take some time and talk with the company. An in-person or phone conversation will give you a chance to talk to the contractor about what you want and give you a feel for the company’s abilities. Plus, it allows you to begin the first step in building a relationship with the contractor.

These connections are vital when it comes to your contractor as it takes a great deal of trust to hire someone for the type of major projects that roofers handle. When you can respect and trust your contractor, you can communicate with them more easily and collaborate effectively on the project. Your first conversation together becomes a foundation for future partnerships.

For this reason, Sentry Roofing has a large list of referrals available to you at any point in the process. We love to meet our customers in person and establish long-lasting relationships.

Step 3. Review the Warranty

Roofing companies are required to be highly skilled to do the job well, but skills mean nothing if proper tools and resources aren’t being used. When your contractor uses high quality materials from manufacturers like Duro-Last, it makes a tremendous difference for your rooftop.

When you find a roofing contractor, check their website to see which roofing systems and manufacturers they use. If you can’t find this information on their site, it is important you check with them to ensure they use quality roofing materials from a reputable source.

You should also consider the type of warranty they will provide. No matter how great a roofing system appears to be, someday it will need repairs or preventative maintenance services.

Ideally, repairs or replacements will take place decades later but you should prepare yourself for any unexpected issues.

If a repair is needed, verify what the warranty offers and how long you are covered. Be detailed and ask questions about the warranty and maintenance requirement ensures it’s a good long-term fit.

Step 4. Ask for Credentials

Before you hire a company to work on your roof, check to see if they have the right licensure. Each state has different licensing requirements, so check these details in advance as part of your research.

Depending on your state, commercial roofing contractors may need to qualify for additional licenses or certifications. They will most likely need to register as a business with the state, and possibly your city. You can check the state website to see if the contractor is a properly licensed company.

Having the right business insurance is important as it covers the costs of liability claims, employee injuries and property damage. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing liability, auto and worker’s compensation coverage.

Step 5. Ask About Their Process

A professional commercial roofing company will be able to explain their process from start to finish. Ensure that they follow proper safety procedures and have effective and thorough daily clean up methods.

Generally there will be an initial consultation to discuss your overall needs, expectations and problem areas. Then the building interior and rooftop will be inspected by a qualified project manager to identify any and all issues.

Your contractor should take photos and provide documentation of the issues discovered in the inspection. This detailed report should cover the roof system, flashing details, walls, units, drains, edge details, gutters, etc.

After going over the rooftop inspection report with Sentry, you will have a better idea of any roofing problems and estimated cost to complete the job. That may mean repair as the most cost-effective route to extend the roof system life, or replacing the entire roofing system.

If you choose Sentry Roofing as your contractor, you will be working with an honest and transparent team, helping you decide the best course of action for your business and your building. At Sentry Roofing, we pride ourselves on taking care of our clients as if they were family.

Conclusion: Sentry Roofing has been exceeding client expectations for over 35 years

While it may take some time to find a trustworthy roofing contractor, these tips will assist you in choosing the best team for your project and help offer peace of mind. Look for a company that has experience and the right certifications.

Once you have narrowed the scope of your search, look at the company’s reviews and customer testimonials as an additional source of verification. If everything is in order, you may have found the right contractor for your next roofing project.

Sentry Roofing strives to meet these requirements and make the choice simple for you. We are honest and transparent, and have a large list of referrals for you to follow up with that we are extremely proud of.

We are authorized by some of the largest and most reputable roofing system manufacturers in the nation, including Duro-Last and GAF. Along with having proper licenses and insurance, we have installed roofing systems across 41 states for over 35 years.

Our process is built around creating the best experience for our clients as well as providing the most effective roofing system for your building.

Need a reliable roofing contractor? Request an evaluation today from Sentry Roofing to learn more!

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★ 5/5

“Our commercial properties have been satisfied customers of Sentry Roofing for over 15 years. We have used their services in both city and rural settings, for complete tear offs and regular maintenance.

Sentry employees possess cutting edge knowledge of roofing, present clear information in a timely fashion and all at a fair price and while being pleasant to work with…a rare find!”

Rhonda Katz

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about how to find a roofing contractor you can trust.

How can I find a reputable roofing company?

• Look up the company and read recent reviews
• Ask for local references, and actually talk to them
• Make sure they are authorized by the appropriate manufacturers
• Ensure they offer a warranty and go over it
• If safety is not their priority, back away quickly
• Ask about their processes and timelines

Should I hire the contractor with the cheapest bid?

While it might be tempting to go with the lowest bidder, it is important that the job is done right, on time and on budget. Going with the cheapest estimate can mean cutting corners, sub-par materials, lack of insurance or licenses, low paid and unskilled workers, among many other things. Like they say, “Quality roofing isn’t cheap, and cheap roofing isn’t quality.”

What if my contractor doesn’t specialize in commercial roofs?

Commercial roofing and residential roofing are drastically different disciplines that require different skills, materials, safety mechanisms and bigger crews at a large scale. Hiring a contractor that specializes in commercial and industrial roofing is key to a successful project.

What questions should I ask a roofing company?

A few questions you should ask to make sure you’re hiring a trustworthy roofing company are:

• How long have you been in business?
• Where are you located?
• Can you provide referrals and references?
• Do you provide maintenance and support?
• How long will my project take to complete?
• Where can I see past projects and reviews?