5 Qualifications Your Roof Contractor Should Have

member_circle_colorWhen it’s time to call a roofing contractor, most people aren’t sure who to call. Not everyone knows someone in the business and when it comes to your roof, you want to hire someone you can trust.

In the past it was difficult to verify testimonials and many people simply didn’t have the time to make dozens of calls to previous customers (assuming they are real customers) and agencies to verify credentials and claimed awards.

The internet has changed all of that. Checking BBB ratings, reviews, time in business and other claims are now just a few clicks away!  In fact, there is so much verifiable information available, it can be overwhelming. If you have the time, check as much information as possible, especially if you have any doubts, but for those without the time or need emergency repairs, these 5 qualifiers should give you enough information to get an accurate idea of whom you are considering

1) High Customer Satisfaction

Many roof contractors post reviews on their site in a prominent area, and if they are a larger or established company they are normally legitimate. Of course, they rarely post less than perfect reviews here, so this is where third party sites come in handy.

Running the companies name through sites like, Yelp, Kudzu, Angie’s List, Best Pick Reports, Google and others will bring up a lot of reviews, both good and not so good (no company is perfect) but taking into account the number of reviews, good vs bad, and overall ratings from different sources can give you an accurate picture.

2) A+ Better Business Bureau Rating

The BBB is a private company, but they do a good service for the general public.  The ratings are based on factors such as time in business, complaint volume for the size of the business and how they handle complaints or other problems.

You’re looking for an A+ here, simply because an A+ means a company handles complaints before they are reported to the BBB or resolved complaints reasonably and doesn’t get too many complaints overall. Less than an A+ and you should examine the reasons why as even an A or A- means some customers left unhappy or they are lacking somewhere else and that’s just bad business.

3) Good Length of Time In Business

Roofs are meant to last for decades (in most cases) and as such, you want your roofing contractor to be around to take care of any warranty claims or other problems that may occur. Most roofing contractors come and go, hiring a contractor that has been around for a long time is usually a good indication they’ll still be around when you need them.

You can verify a companies time in business checking state incorporation records (in Georgia the is the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.

4) Associations and Awards

Associations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association have stringent guidelines and ongoing requirements to maintain status, maintaining these guidelines shows a dedication to the business as well as customer trust.

Awards such as the Best Pick Award & Angie’s List Super Service Award, third parties who base these awards on actual consumer input directly and can tell you immediately the companies reputation. Verification of these awards are just a click away.

5) Manufacturer Certifications & Designations

Aside from positive customer input, you want expertise. In the roofing business, proof of expertise comes from Associations and from Manufacturers in the form of certifications and designations.

GAF (a major roofing materials manufacture) assigns their “Master Elite Contractor” to roof contractors who have passed testing in their knowledge and expertise in their products. Certainteed (another manufacturer) has a similar program “Select Shingle Applicator” and Elk has the “Peak Performance Contractor, which, like the “Master Elite Contractor” designation is the top certification given to those who have demonstrated their expertise.

Having a contractor certified as an expert by the manufacture can answer any questions of expertise. Like the other qualifications, this can be easily verified at the manufacturer’s website.

Of course, to save time, Atlanta Roofing Specialists meets all these qualifications and more plus offers free estimates! Call us today at 770-419-2222

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