If you’ve been living in Cedar Hill, Duncanville, or Desoto, TX for a while, you know there’s one thing you can always count on after a bad storm: roadside signs for roof repair. Every year you’ll notice fly-by-night roofing contractors putting up signs everywhere.
After all, with everyone desperate to patch up their damaged roofs, even inexperienced contractors jump on the chance to make some quick cash. Back on June 6th of 2018 residents of the Dallas area from Arlington to Cedar Hill, Carrolton, and as far as Coppell experienced golf ball-sized hail along with high winds and a downpouring of rain. One resident said the experience was like”God was throwing rocks at us” as the storm caused widespread hail damage to residents’ roofs and property. Days after the aftermath, poster boards were placed all over town by cheap roofing companies.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that not every Cedar Hill roofing company is up for the job. If you’re hoping to weed out rookie contractors and scam artists—and to get a roof that will stand the test of time—there are a few things worth considering. Here’s what you should know about how to choose a roofer for your home.
Stay Cedar Hill Local
Every now and then after a bad storm, we’ll see roofing contractors from other states traveling down to help out. While these experts are well-meaning, it’s always a better idea to work with a contractor with experience in this area.
A seasoned local pro will be familiar with Texas state code regulations and ordinances. This can help you avoid potential issues down the road. What’s more, Dallas-based companies are often better with local historic preservation jobs, which can be crucial if you own a historic home or business.
Check for Certification, Licensing, Insurance, and Bonding
Before you dive too deep into researching a company you might want to hire, check for these details. New contractors without state licensing, for example, are a major red flag. If you’re unsure, you can do an online contractor search via Texas state licensing board.
Verify that any roofer you want to hire has gotten certified, licensed, insured, and bonded in the state of Louisiana.
Check Reviews and Ask for References
Once you’ve found a few qualified Cedar Hill roofing companies worth considering, it’s time to do your research. Start by investigating the reputation of each company.
To do this, ask for references or look for online reviews or testimonials on third-party websites. You’re looking for a pattern of satisfied customers and quality roofing work. Some companies will even provide before-and-after photos as evidence of past jobs well done.
Pick a Team That Travels
It’s always a pain to realize you’ve done a lot of work vetting a company that doesn’t even serve your area. That’s why it helps to choose a team that’s willing to travel across the state to earn your business, helping residents and small companies alike.
MLS Construction, for example, often travels 50 miles outside of Cedar Hill to provide roofing services for clients throughout Waxahachie, Duncanville, Arlington, and Mansfield. This allows us to offer our high-quality services wherever they’re needed most throughout the state.
Meet Them in Person
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, ask your potential contractors to visit your home. This gives you a great opportunity to ask questions and to get a sense of the professional demeanor of the company representatives.
Ask about their strategy, the roofing materials, and the extent of work that they’ll need to do. At this point, you’ll also want to learn about scheduling, warranties, communication, and other pressing questions. Any contractor who struggles to answer these basic questions is not worth your time.
Confirm Who’s Working on Your Home
Some roofing companies hand their work out to subcontractors. While this might not seem like a major red flag, it’s worth noting that these subcontractors may not be accountable to you at all.
That’s why the best Cedar Hill roofing companies provide only their own experienced team members. Make sure you know who will be doing the work on your home.
Compare Pricing Between Roofing Contractors
Ask each contractor you’re considering to give you a roofing estimate. Comparing estimates can give you a better sense of which offers are fair, though you won’t want to automatically jump on the lowest option. In the roofing business, like other industries, you get what you pay for. Peace of mind is often worth the price tag.
On the flip side, be wary of demands for high down payments with any estimate. Most roofers will ask for anywhere from 10% to 30% of a project upfront, though they’ll typically only ask for a larger percentage with a larger project. If you’re seeing higher down payment demands than this, you might want to reconsider your choice.
Get It in Writing
Once you feel comfortable choosing a roofing company, it’s time to get everything in writing! Make sure that any important details you’ve discussed in person—including quotes, warranties, scheduling, and clean-up methods—are written into your contract. You should also see details on liability and safety procedures.
With the contract signed, you can feel confident that you’ve hired a roofer who can get your property looking new!
Work With the Right Cedar Hill Roofing Company
Knowing how to choose a roofing contractor might sound difficult, especially when there are so many available throughout our area. However, the tips above can help you find a team you can trust with your property, whether you’re dealing with a minor roof leak or the aftermath of a major storm.
Whether you need residential roofing in Duncanville, a roofer Arlington, TX residents can trust, or Mansfield roofing for your commercial property, MLS Construction is here to help. Our reputable Cedar Hill roofing company is happy to travel anywhere from Cedar Hill to Midlothian and beyond. We proudly offer high-quality services to both residential and commercial clients. For more information about how we can help, contact us today.
Schedule Your Roof Inspection Today
We want to make this process as easy and painless as possible. That is why we offer free roof estimates, no-obligation consultations, and affordable rates on all of our services for residents in the Cedar Hill area. Give us a call today or fill out the online form on our website. We are happy to provide you with more information about how we can help identify the roofing repairs you need. Our local roofing contractors take pride in serving our local community.
MLS Construction
445 E FM 1382, Suite #3-268, Cedar St
Cedar Hill, TX 75104