3 Creative Ways to Find the Best Roofing Contractor

Finding a well-qualified roofing contractor for your roofing portfolio seems to be getting tougher these days. The tough economy over the past few years has left many firms barely afloat and hundreds have simply gone out of business. The common response is to “ask for 3 references”. While we certainly have hundreds we are proud of, doesn’t this concept seem flawed? Do you really expect a reference provided by the company to say something bad?!? Instead, try these three innovative ways to find the best.

Talk To the Warranty Holders
While they might not want their comments made public, they will certainly know who the good contractors are in the area. Every manufacturer keeps quality ratings on their contractors. Think about it, manufacturers are inclined to have quality contractors install the roof perfectly. The better the installation, the lower the incurred warranty expenses. The reason the manufacturer wants a good contractor is the same as you….the roof doesn’t leak! Speak with the major manufacturers, such as Johns Manville, Firestone as well as specialty manufacturers such as Tremco.

Call the Roofing Distributors
Some of the best people to ask are the roofing supply companies. While these companies will not want to appear to favor certain contractors over others, because they sell to all of them, they will generally be willing to tell you who the really competent contractors are. They know who does good work and they certainly know who pays them promptly, which is a pretty good indication of the financial strength of the roofer in question. When you place a call you need to assure whomever you are talking to that you will not reveal their input/participation. The conversation will be “off the record”. Most of these people will then be very glad to help. In Florida, call Beacon Supply and ABC/Bradco Supply, as they have offices throughout the state.

Creative Specification Writing
By writing your bid specifications “creatively” you can also narrow down the field to the better contractors. Most major roofing manufacturers give awards to contractors for doing high quality work. They give them names like “Master Contractor” or “Pinnacle Council”. By specifying that a bidder must be a “Master Contractor” can limit some of your exposure to poor quality work. Additionally, having a significant insurance requirement keeps financially susceptible firms at bay and focuses your exposure to solid contractors.