Hello guys, welcome back to my blog. A lot of you have been asking me how to find a good roofer, especially after a storm when everyone is suddenly knocking on your door claiming to be a roofing expert. So today I am going to walk you through the whole thing, step by step.
I went through a lot of real Reddit threads where homeowners and actual roofers were talking about how to find a good roofer without getting scammed or ending up with a bad job. I picked out the best advice, added tables so you guys can scan it fast, and gave my own honest opinion along the way. Let’s get into it.
Why This Step Matters So Much
Look, your roof protects everything under it. If you pick wrong, you are not just wasting money, you are also risking leaks and damage that show up years later.
A good roofer will have real insurance, real local jobs you can check, and will give you everything in writing before you sign. I always tell people, don’t rush this part, because most bad roofing experiences start right here, at the hiring stage.
Where To Start Looking
So the big question is, where do you even begin? I found some pretty smart ideas from real roofers and homeowners on Reddit.
One good trick is calling your local roofing supply house, because they actually know who buys material regularly and does real volume of work. As one Redditor put it, “call the supply house closest to you a few times and ask them.” I really like this tip because supply houses see the actual quality of work, not just what people write in online reviews.
You can also check manufacturer preferred or certified installer lists. A roofer on Reddit explained that you should “go to a manufacturer website like Owens Corning or GAF and contact their partnered or preferred installers.” There is some security in starting here, since these installers already went through vetting by the manufacturer itself.
And of course, check Google reviews too, but don’t stop there. One Redditor gave a fair warning, saying “check their reviews and their replies. This is however, only a start.” So basically, reviews are a good first filter, but not the final answer by themselves.
For more general tips on finding trusted local pros, Consumer Reports also suggests always getting more than one recommendation before you commit to anyone.
What To Verify Before Hiring
Once you have some names, this is the part where a lot of people get lazy. Don’t. This is honestly the most important step in the whole process.
- Insurance, verified directly. Don’t just take their word for it. One roofer on Reddit gave really solid advice, saying “ask for the certificate of insurance to be sent to you directly by their insurance agent.” I like this because it means the roofer cannot just hand you an old or fake paper, the insurance company confirms it themselves.
- Manufacturer certification. People forget this one a lot. A Redditor pointed out that “what actually mattered was manufacturer certification, since that ties back to material warranties.” So if your roofer is not certified by the brand, your warranty might not even be a full warranty. Big deal if you ask me.
- References from years ago, not last month. Ask for addresses of jobs done three to five years back, so you can see how the roof actually held up over time, not just how it looked on day one.
Quick Checklist Before You Hire
| Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Certificate of insurance | Sent directly by insurer, so you know it is real |
| Manufacturer certification | Ties directly to your material warranty |
| Local business address | Shows they are not a fly by night operation |
| Job references (3-5 years old) | Shows how the roof performs over time |
| Written scope of work | Protects you from surprise charges later |
How To Compare Bids The Right Way
This part confuses a lot of people, because every roofer writes a quote in a different format. So here is what I learned from Reddit.
First, set the scope of work yourself instead of letting each roofer decide their own thing. As one roofer explained, “you need to establish the scope of work you want people to bid on.” This way every bidder is quoting the same job, and you can actually compare numbers fair.
Second, look at what is written inside the quote, not just the total price. A Redditor gave a great breakdown, saying a good quote should “show the roof size, materials, underlayment, flashing, ventilation work, decking allowance, cleanup, warranty, and payment schedule.” I think this is honestly one of the best tips in this whole blog, print it out if you can.
Third, have each roofer actually walk the roof with you, don’t just take a number over email. This step alone can save you from a lot of confusion later, because you see exactly what they are looking at and why they are pricing it the way they are.
Red Flags To Watch Out For
If you ask me, this section is the most important one to remember when learning how to find a good roofer.
- Pressure to sign right now, or big cash demands upfront. A vague scope combined with pressure is a bad sign. Watch for anyone who avoids putting things in writing.
- Inconsistent counts on your own roof. One homeowner shared a story where a roofer “quoted four vents on a house with three. That is not a miscount.” Small errors like this in a quote are a warning sign, not a small mistake.
- Skipping tear off and putting new shingles over old ones. This is a big one. One homeowner said plainly, “I had a crew try to put new shingles over the old shingles.” This kind of shortcut can ruin your whole new roof, so always confirm tear off is part of the job, in writing.
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, homeowners should always be cautious of contractors who show up uninvited right after a storm, since many of these disappear before any warranty issue comes up.
What To Watch For During The Job
Even after you hire someone, your job is not fully done. Keep an eye on a few things while the crew is actually working.
Ask the crew directly which materials they are using, and make them explain it. One homeowner on Reddit recommended you should “ask the roofing contractor which underlayment, shingles, and decking they’re going to be using.” A roofer who knows their job can explain this easy, no hesitation.
Also check that the site stays clean every day, and that they run a magnet over the yard at the end for stray nails. This small step protects your family and pets, and any decent crew should already be doing it without you asking.
Finally, confirm the technical details actually got done, not just promised. As one homeowner explained, “make sure you get what you paid for, new drip edge, ice and water barrier, peak sheathing cut for a ridge vent, etc.” These small details are where most future leaks either get prevented or created.
For a broader look at what a full roof inspection should cover, This Old House has a solid explainer worth reading too.
Quick Facts Table
I always add this table so you guys can scan the whole blog fast without reading everything again.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best places to find leads | Local supply houses, manufacturer preferred lists |
| Most important document | Certificate of insurance, confirmed by the insurer |
| Reference age to ask for | Job addresses from 3 to 5 years ago |
| Biggest bidding mistake | Comparing quotes with different scopes of work |
| Common shortcut to avoid | New shingles installed over old ones |
| Simple end of job check | Magnet sweep for stray nails in the yard |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find a good roofer in my area? A: Start with local supply houses and manufacturer preferred installer lists, then check Google reviews as a first filter, not the final word.
Q: What should I ask a roofer before hiring them? A: Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly by their insurer, manufacturer certification, and job references from three to five years ago.
Q: How many roofing quotes should I collect? A: Most homeowners and roofers on Reddit suggest at least two to three written quotes, all based on the same scope of work.
Q: What are the biggest red flags when looking for a good roofer? A: Pressure to sign the same day, mismatched vent or item counts on the quote, and skipping proper tear off before new shingles go on.
Q: Is manufacturer certification important when finding a good roofer? A: Yes, because it usually ties directly to your material warranty, so an uncertified installer could mean a weaker warranty.
Final Words
So guys, this was my full breakdown on how to find a good roofer without the stress and guesswork. I covered where to look, what to verify, how to compare bids fair, red flags to avoid, and what to watch during the actual job. My honest opinion, take your time on this step, because a little homework upfront saves you years of headache later. Keep on visiting Write for Us Roofing for more tips like this.
Sources
- r/Roofing – Call your local supply house for leads (Reddit)
- r/Roofing – Contact manufacturer preferred installers (Reddit)
- r/Roofing – Check reviews as only a first start (Reddit)
- r/Roofing – Ask for certificate of insurance directly from agent (Reddit)
- r/LocalServiceSearch – Manufacturer certification ties to warranty (Reddit)
- r/Roofing – Establish scope of work before bidding (Reddit)
- r/Roofing – What a written roofing quote should include (Reddit)
- r/HomeImprovement – Crew tried installing over old shingles (Reddit)
- r/HomeImprovement – Ask which underlayment and shingles are being used (Reddit)
- r/HomeImprovement – Confirm drip edge and ice and water barrier were done (Reddit)
- Consumer Reports – How To Hire The Right Contractor
- National Roofing Contractors Association – Consumer Resources
- This Old House – How To Inspect Your Roof