Getting your roof repaired or replaced is a large investment, so it’s important that you get the job done by the right roofing contractor. With so many roofing scams out there, it can be difficult to weed out the shady companies from the legitimate ones. It takes careful consideration and research to choose a reliable roofer. Here are some tips to help you choose the right roofing contractor in the DFW Metroplex.
Always Check Roofers Local Reviews
A good place to start is to read customer reviews of local roofing contractors. A couple of good review sites to check include Yelp and Google My Business. You will want to check for client information about what kind of service they were getting from these contractors, and how the roofing contractor treated them and their property. Pay attention to reviews that seem too similar to their information, as scammers sometimes set up fake reviews to get people to call them. Authentic reviews may have similar jobs but the language used to describe how they were treated during the service will be different.
Once you find a few roofing contractors that have positive reviews, you can move on to the next step.
Check Their Better Business Bureau Rating
A legitimate company will always be registered with the Better Business Bureau. Check for a high BBB rating and how long the company has been registered with the BBB.
Look for Roofing Association Memberships
All roofing associations and professional organizations require that contractors meet strict standards for them to retain membership with the organization. If the contractor you are looking at belongs to one or more roofing associations, you can be sure that they’re dedicated to meeting high standards for their work and not accepting anything less.
How Can I Be Sure That My Roofing Contractor Is Part of an Organization and Not Just Claiming to Be?
Some scammers have gotten smart and listed different roofing contractor associations on their websites as a way to “prove” that they are legitimate. However, a simple call to these organizations, or a simple look on their website at their member list, can easily weed out who is legitimate and who isn’t.
Ask For References
Roofing contractors should be able to provide you with references. Ask them for 3-5 references and get in contact with them to make sure they check out. Ask these references specific questions about the type of service they received from the contractors, the quality of the roofing service and materials, and how the staff treated them and their property.
Make Sure That the Roofing Contractor Is Insured
Your roofing contractor should always hold general liability insurance. Texas doesn’t require roofing contractors to be insured, but a good roofing contractor will make sure to be insured anyway.
How Much Insurance Should a Roofing Contractor Carry for Liability?
While there is no true set amount that tells a good contractor from a bad one, it is the standard for reputable contractors to carry around $1 million in liability insurance to protect their client’s property.
Your Roof Contractor Should Be Up-to-Date With the Latest Roofing Technology
Roofing technology and best practices are evolving all the time. To make sure that your roof is constructed as well as possible, you need to make sure that your roofing company is always staying up-to-date on the changes within the industry. Here are the most recent safety practices as outlined by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA.)
Is the Contractor Code Compliant with the State of Texas?
All reputable roofing contractors need to be code-compliant. Your roofing contractor should review any changes to local city codes and make sure that they comply with these codes.
The standards that all roofing contractors follow are set by the State of Texas. The team at Acme Roof Systems always ensures that our quality of work and practices are in light with the local code enforcement agency. We keep up-to-date literature and provide ongoing training for our staff to ensure our work code is compliant.
The Quality of Roofing Materials They Use
Your roofing contractor needs to do more than provide quality service. Contractors should also use high-quality roofing materials that are durable and fit your particular design requirements. Taking the time to design a proper roof system for your particular project will extend the life of your roof and ensure it performs properly.
Ask Them About Their Roofing Warranties
Your roofing contractor should offer warranties on their work. Ask about these warranties ahead of time. You should receive a written copy of your warranty and what it will and will not cover. Your roofing company should go over it with you to make sure that you understand what it entails.
Make Sure They Follow the Manufacturer’s Specifications on All Jobs
Specifications for roofing materials are there for a reason. If the company you are working with mentions that they know techniques to get the work done a lot faster, this could be a red flag. Your roofing contractor should always follow the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions for the installation of that material to ensure that it is properly installed. Improperly installed materials have a much greater risk of getting damaged, causing issues like roof leaks, or completely failing.
Always Ask for a Written Estimate
After inspecting your roof, the roofing contractor should provide you with a written estimate. You should always be notified of any changes to the estimate ahead of time – such as if the damage is more extensive than initially thought.
Beware of “Fly-By-Night” Roofers
There’s a certain kind of roofing contractor that you should always be wary of: “fly-by-night” roofers. These kinds of roofers will do shoddy work on your roof and then disappear with your money without a trace. People fall victim to these kinds of scams all too often, so you should always be cautious before hiring a contractor. Here are a few indications that a roofing contractor may be a “fly-by-night” roofer:
- They knock at your door right after a storm
- They won’t present a roof of liability insurance
- They don’t have an online presence
- They claim that they can handle your insurance claim for you
- They pressure you to sign a contract before the insurance estimate is back
- They quote you a very low price for the repair or the replacement
- They don’t have any references
What Questions Should I Ask My DFW Roofing Contractor?
When you’re deciding on a roofing contractor in the DFW area, you should be prepared to ask the following questions:
- Will You Be Conducting a Full Inspection? A roofing contractor should thoroughly inspect the roof before providing you with a written estimate.
- Will You be Installing Underlayment? A proper underlayment provides an extra layer of protection from the elements and keeps your roof deck watertight. Your roofing contractor should be able to let you know what type of underlayment is being installed on your particular roofing project during a new install or replacement.
- Will You be Following the Roof Manufacturer’s Specifications? For the best results, roofing contractors should always follow the manufacturer’s specifications for the roofing products they use.
- Will You Fully Explain the Extent of Your Warranty and Provide Documentation? You should know what is covered under your warranty and what could potentially void it. You should also receive documentation that fully explains the extent and guarantee of your warranty.
- Will You Check My Attic to Ensure That It Has Enough Ventilation? The amount of ventilation in your attic can affect the performance of your roof. Ask your contractor to complete this check before completing the roof work.
- Will You Explain How My New Roofing System Works? It’s important to understand how your roofing system functions. Your roofing contractor should explain the basic components of your roof system and what maintenance should be done to extend the lifespan of your roof.
DFW’s Most Reputable Roofing Contractor
If you’re looking for a reliable roofing company to repair, replace, or re-shingle your roof, contact Acme Roof Systems. Acme Roof Systems meets every standard for a high-quality roofing contractor, so you can be sure that they will perform work on your roof correctly. Contact them today to ask about their qualifications and to schedule a roof inspection.
Helpful Numbers
- Texas Department of Insurance
- Fraud Unit: (512) 676-6285
- Consumer Help Line: (800) 252-3439
- Email Address: FraudUnit@tdi.texas.gov
- Texas Attorney General: (800) 337-3928
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: (800) 621-3362
- Red Cross: (800) 733-2767
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: (800) 788-8247
- National Flood Insurance Program: (800) 638-6620
Choosing a Roofing Contractor FAQs
Is It Okay for a Texas Roof Contractor to Waive My Deductible?
No. If a roofing contractor is offering to waive your deductible or is promising a rebate on the deductible, this is a scam. Scammers will try this tactic to get unsuspecting homeowners to choose them over a reputable competitor because they can save a bit of money.
A new law that was passed by the State of Texas makes it illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for all or part of a deductible. This law went into effect on September 1st, 2022, and states that violators can face a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
You can report scammy contractors by reporting it to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 621-0508
How Do I Find a Reputable Roofing Contractor After a Storm?
There are a few steps you can take to ensure that the roofing contractor you are talking to is legitimate and not a scam:
- Avoid roofers who are passing out flyers and asking to climb up your roof
- Don’t go with a roofer who is coming out with the lowest bid
- Don’t trust roofers who are pointing out damages that weren’t there before
- Don’t trust a contractor that is promising to cover your deductible or trying to get you to sign a contract before the insurance company does their inspection
- Don’t go with a roofer that is trying to use forceful sales tactics
- Be weary when they propose to use poor-quality materials to save costs
- Always ask for referrals
- Get multiple estimates
- Ask for their credentials
- Ask for proof of their insurance