Repairing your roof or getting a new roof begins with finding the right roofing contractor for the job. Working with a trusted roofing contractor who approaches the job with a good understanding of the safety requirements, different roofing materials, and current building industry laws and regulations means you will get the right roofing solution for your property.
Most homeowners’ initial investigations will begin with an online search for local roofers in your area. This is a great place to start, but it does mean you are likely to be bombarded with a long list of contractors – many of whom you’ve never heard of and know nothing about. So how do you narrow down the list and pick out the best roofing contractors? Read on to find out our top 10 tips on how to find the best roofers near you.
What Is a Roofing Contractor?
First, let’s briefly define what roofing contractors are here in NZ. Roofers are construction workers that are qualified Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) whose primary focus is on building and maintaining residential and commercial roofs. This includes (but is not limited to) new roofing, reroofing (roof replacements) and roof repairs. Focusing specifically on roof work gives these contractors more specialised expertise in all aspects of roofing.
Licensed Building Practitioners are required to meet specific criteria around their skills and competency within the industry and keep up with the latest industry knowledge and regulations to stay registered. Hiring an LBP means the expectation that the job will be completed in line with current building codes and regulations.
Roofing contractors in New Zealand can be self-employed, work for a roofing company, or work within the umbrella of a general construction-based company offering roofing services in conjunction with other construction services.
What Roofing Services Do They Cover?
Roofing contractors do more than just install new roofs. Roofers are highly experienced, trained professionals skilled at working at heights with various roofing materials and many different types of roofs. Some of the roofing services you can expect from your roofer are:
- New Roof Installations. Whether it’s a new roof for a freshly built home or a replacement roof on an existing home, a roofing contractor is able to complete the entire job making sure your house is dry and weatherproof.
- Roof Leak Repairs. Fixing leaks is a large part of a roofer’s job, an experienced roofer is able to quickly and easily determine the location and cause of the leak and advise you on your options for roof repairs.
- General Roof Repairs. Roofing contractors can assess damage to your roof and provide recommendations for repairs. This includes simple components such as the replacement of sealant and fasteners, as well as addressing more complex issues such as rust.
- Roofing Material Conversions. Roofing contractors are also able to convert the type of roofing material used on your home if you are looking for a change. For example, converting from an existing tile roof to Colorsteel roofing materials.
- Roof Inspection And Maintenance. It is advised to have your roof inspected once or twice per year, this is to ensure any areas of concern are picked up before they turn into leaks and also to allow for regular maintenance of the roof system. Roofing issues should always be addressed quickly before leading to any internal water damage and the possibility of mould growth, rot, and other problems relating to dampness.
- Gutter Installation And Repairs. Some roofing companies will also offer gutter and drainpipe installation and maintenance. Water drainage systems are a significant part of maintaining the integrity of the roofing system.
10 Tips For Finding A Roofer Near You
Having completed your initial online search for roofing contractors and figured out what services you require, let’s look at a few ways to streamline the process of finding a trusted roofing contractor nearby.
1. Confirm Service Areas
First and foremost, double-checking the roofing company’s service your area is the best way to narrow down your long list. Most good roofers will clearly state on their website which towns, cities and regions they are prepared to travel to, if this isn’t clear, then you can sometimes gauge this logically by how far away their office address is from your home.
2. Work Out Travel Distances
Once you have determined you are in the contractor’s service area, the next step is to take note of the travel distances. Ideally, you want to look for contractors that are reasonably close to you. This is important for two reasons; the first being the longer the distance the contractors have to go, the higher the travel costs added to your bill. The second reason is improved response times when facing follow-up issues, repairs or maintenance.
3. Read Ratings And Reviews
Since your search will likely begin online, a good way to cross a few contractors off your long list is to take the time to read their ratings and reviews. Keeping in mind not everyone is going to be happy 100% of the time; reviews can be a good way to learn a little about the company, its work ethic and the way they treat customers. Google reviews and Facebook reviews are a great place to start, or you could go old school and ask your neighbours, friends and family members if there is anyone local they would recommend and why.
4. Longevity Counts!
Check to see if you can find out how long the roofing company has been in business – this one applies to all contractors, not just roofers. Engaging a company that has a long and well-established reputation means less risk and a greater likelihood of customer satisfaction. The main reason for this is largely down to the fact that if they weren’t that good at their job, they wouldn’t be able to remain operating as a profitable business. As a rough (unscientific) guide, the construction industry’s failure rate is higher in companies with less than five years of trading history.
5. Insurance Is Always Important
One of the first questions you will want to ask of any roofing contractor on your shortlist is – are they adequately insured? A roofing contractor should be able to explain the differences in their insurance coverage, this might include references to Public and Statutory Liability insurance, Contract Works insurance, surety bonds, general business assets (tools, materials and equipment) insurance, Business Interruption insurance, plus Employers’ Liability insurance. Always ask your roofer how their insurance will protect you and your property.
6. Ask About Availability
One of the main reasons why you might have no choice but to remove some contractors from your list is that they simply aren’t available in the necessary time frame. Some roofers can be booked up for months ahead, meaning they may be happy to take on your job but won’t get it completed until much further down the track. When it comes to roofing repairs and replacements – this can be a deal breaker, particularly if you have immediate leakage issues or are trying to fit the roof replacement into a larger renovation or build project. Always determine availability and start dates with your roofer before signing them up – this includes asking how long they expect the job to take.
7. Professional Industry Or Manufacturers Memberships?
Take the time to determine if the roofing companies on your list belong to any local or nationwide industry networks or memberships. Hiring a roofer that belongs to these types of programs means you generally have access to additional benefits (such as extended warranties) and some basic reassurances about the business and their product/service knowledge. Most roofing manufacturers have membership programs that contractors can join if they meet certain criteria, and there are nationwide associations providing membership options. In NZ, this might include things like the Colorsteel manufacturers’ material guarantee or the Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ).
8. Look For Roofers That Specialise
During your search, you may notice that many roofing companies often specialise in using different types of roofing materials or in different types of roofing projects. While most roofers will have expertise in all types of roofs and roofing materials, sticking with a contractor who specialises in the type of roof you need will likely yield better results. This might be as simple as residential versus commercial roofing but will also expand into tile versus long-run steel roofing materials (the two most popular roofing materials here in NZ) and the shape of the roof, such as ‘gable’ versus ‘flat’.
9. Understand The Process
You’ve established what you need from your roofer, but it is also essential to understand what the job entails. This includes things like the amount of disruption to your property (including to lawns and gardens), scaffolding requirements, where materials are stored, site maintenance, what time of the day workers will be arriving on site (and leaving), inclement weather procedures, and the removal of rubbish (including recycling policies). It also pays to find out if the roofing contractor will be completing the job themselves or using subcontractors. Finding a roofer that is willing and able to work with you to manage your individual circumstances and expectations is crucial to the success of your roofing project.
10. The Cheapest Quote Isn’t Always The Best
Using our handy tips above, you should be able to narrow your list of potential roofing contractors down to five or fewer. Before making your final decision on who to hire for the job, you will need to meet with these contractors and get a quote. This will mean the roofing contractor will send someone out to your property to view the current roof situation and estimate repair or replacement costs. During this visit, they will take an accurate measurement of the area of the roof in square metres, assess any existing damage or areas of concern, and discuss your options with you. See here for more information on getting a new roof quote.
Action Reroofing has been a well-recognised and trusted leader in the roofing industry for more than 15 years. Using the best quality materials and providing cost-effective roofing solutions, Action Reroofing will ensure your roof replacement or repair is completed to the highest quality – give us a call today!
