Today I want to talk to you about what goes into a business's reputation and how to protect yourself when shopping around for a roofing company.
The most important points I can impart to you are these:

  • The most critical day in the life of your roof is the day it is installed.
  • A whopping 87% of all new roofs have roof leaks built into them the day they are installed.
  • Roofing is a vastly unregulated and unenforced industry when it comes to standards and codes.
  • There are no licensing requirements, and ANYONE can become a roofer in the state of Georgia.

Given these facts, a lot of people find roofing an easy business to get into. That can be bad news for consumers. I'd like to share with you what can come with an unusually low bid or overeager contractor:

  • Roofers who are transient, passersby who will not be accessible for follow up care
  • A job that is rushed to protect the bottom line
  • Substandard materials
  • Inferior workmanship
  • No one to back your warranty years down the line
  • Potential shortcuts like lack of employee training, no worker background checks, or lack of insurance

So now that you understand the potential pitfalls of a fly-by-night roofing company, what advice would I give you when interviewing companies to perform work on your roof?

  1. Find a company that has been long established in the roofing industry and has earned industry awards and recognition. Another good indicator is how long they've been in the same location with the same phone number.
  2. Find out as much as you can about the roofers who will be roofing your home. Their skills and integrity will determine how well your roof is installed. If the company has won significant awards, this is a testament to the skill of their roofers. A roofing company's "membership" with various organizations means nothing because all you need to do is pay fees to become a member.
  3. Look for references that span back many years. You will need to have a relationship with your roofers for the life of your roof—especially if you run into any unforeseen issues. Check out those long-term relationships they have with their customers.
  4. Search for a company that will offer you a written specification of installation, established standards of conduct, and competencies in your contract.
  5. Don't fall for the suave salesman at the door with whom you feel a rapport. These folks are practiced at making you feel comfortable and trusting. Look for someone who offers to educate you versus telling you what to buy.
  6. Do not accept a "limited time offer." This is a high-pressure sales tactic that is meant to force you into a quick decision. Homeowners cannot generally determine the quality of their roof's installation by simply looking at it. This often leaves homeowners unprotected and subject to the integrity and thoroughness of their roofer. You may think there are safeguards to protect you, but I would urge you to think twice. Johns Creek, Georgia has mandated that a permit be posted at each site where a roof is being installed. I went to bat against Mayor Mike Bodker over this because the inspectors more often than not just arrive onsite to see if a permit is posted. I have yet to see an inspector climb a ladder, get on the roof, and actually inspect the work. The homeowner does not appear to receive any notable benefit from this permit process.

How about you? How many companies do you typically interview before you engage one in a home improvement or repair project? Do you do your due diligence? Have there been times where you wish you had done more research? Please send us your questions and comments. We'd love to hear from you!
David Friedlander, President Dr. Roof

Dr. Roof's Southeast headquarters has been located at 1460 Woodstock Road, Roswell, Georgia 30075 for 22 years. We're proud to be vital members of the community who can be relied upon for your home's roofing and repair needs now and many years down the line. In Georgia, call (770) 552-7663, and in Tennessee, (615) 656-5648.