7 Resources to Find Local Roofing Companies You Can Trust

A new roof or major roofing repair is among the more expensive home improvements you might face. Even with a trustworthy local roofing company, the cost can easily reach five digits, depending on the type of material you are using, the size and slope of your roof, the condition of the current roof, and a variety of other factors. A new roof is more than just an expense—it’s an investment, and as such, requires research and due diligence on the homeowner’s part. After all, would you spend thousands of dollars on a new car without doing your homework? A roof should be approached the same way.

Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources that help homeowners find local roofing companies they can trust. Here are seven of those available resources that can point you to a contractor that will do the job right:

1. GuildQuality

GuildQuality is an online review site devoted exclusively to rating home builders, remodelers, and contractors. The website gives you some options on specific types of roofing jobs (e.g., metal roofs, roof repairs) so that you can narrow your search. What’s nice about GuildQuality is that it’s geared specifically toward contractors, meaning homeowners will give detailed reviews that they might not bother with for other sites. A search will return a wide range of results and give you plenty of information on which roofers will be best for you.

2. Yelp

Yelp might be known more as a restaurant review site, but it covers all sorts of local businesses, including roofing companies. The Yelp name carries a fair amount of weight, but because of its perception as catering mostly to restaurants, you might not see as many reviews for roofers as you would on other websites. Moreover, national roofing companies may get the first hit from a search, so be sure to scroll down to see local results.

3. Google

Here’s a common first step that people will take when looking for local roofing companies: Search on Google and see what results you get back. With more reviews being posted via Google, you just won’t get results, but also some opinions. However, like Yelp, Google isn’t a logical destination for homeowners to leave online reviews, so don’t be surprised if a roofer you are interested in only has a few ratings. Also, sponsored results—contractors that have paid Google for the right to have their websites pop up first in a search—may occur, so again, don’t forget to scroll.

4. Angie’s List

Angie’s List might be the most recognizable name in consumer home improvement reviews, but until recently, it had one big shortcoming: You had to pay to read or post ratings. As a result, customers who may have wanted to post reviews didn’t, meaning there might be fewer ratings available for certain contractors. However, in 2016, Angie’s List removed its paywall and offered a free version to consumers. The reviews here are thorough and, with the new free option, will continue to grow as more people use the website.

5. Better Business Bureau

Maryland’s Better Business Bureau not only is a resource to see if complaints have been lodged against a local roofing company, but also offers reviews and certifications to identify top contractors. Even if you don’t use the site to search for a roofer, you should visit the BBB simply to see if consumers have filed complaints.

6. Porch

Porch is a website that helps you find local roofing companies and other home improvement contractors via two different strategies. First, Porch offers contractor reviews, thus allowing you to see a list of roofers and decide for yourself. Second, the site will do the searching for homeowners—you answer some basic questions about your roof and what kind of work you are looking for, and Porch will do the rest by finding a contractor for you.

7. Word of mouth

Though technically not an online resource, word of mouth remains one of the best resources for finding local roofing companies you can trust. If neighbors or friends are happy with the job a roofer did on their homes, they will recommend that roofer to others. Be sure to ask around when conducting your research. The best thing about word of mouth is that you can see the finished roof and get an unbiased opinion from the homeowner on the strengths and weaknesses of the contractor. That’s the kind of information that you sometimes can’t find online.

Related: BRAX Customer Testimonials

What resources have you used to learn more about local roofing companies?