Hiring local roofers means working with professionals in your area who understand the needs of local homeowners and are part of your community. Out-of-town roofers, on the other hand, may entice you with cheaper services, but hiring them is a gamble.
In this article, residential and metal roofing expert STARR Roofing & Gutters shares the reasons why hiring local roofers is better than getting the services of a cheaper out-of-town roofer.
Reasons Not to Hire an Out-of-Town Roofer
There are many reasons why you should avoid hiring out-of-town roofers for your project. Here are some of them:
- No assurance on the quality of work – Although they can present you their portfolio and other proof of their previous work, it would still be difficult to judge their workmanship since you can’t see the properties in person. A local roofer, on the other hand, can point you to a roof they’ve previously installed in your neighborhood, so you can easily check the quality from the street.
- Unethical sales tactics – Not all out-of-town roofers do this, but it’s common enough for them to rely on high-pressure sales tactics and other shady marketing tactics to trick clients into agreeing to their services. The most common form of this is their spontaneous door-to-door visits, where they give unaware homeowners a “quick and free” consultation and pressure them into availing of their so-called discounted or cheaper services, which are actually higher than the standard rates.
- No assurance of post-service contact – One of the biggest risks of hiring an out-of-town roofer is the possibility of them leaving the area as soon as they finish work. In the roofing industry, there are many of these shady roofers called “storm chasers” who monitor the storms and show up in recently affected areas as traveling roofers. It’s typical for storm chasers to do sub-par workmanship using substandard materials. The moment homeowners realize this and experience problems with their roofs, the storm chasers have already skipped town. It’s also common for these storm chasers to offer bogus warranties. As soon as they finish up, you’re left with a warranty that has no bearing at all and no one to file claims to since they’ve already moved on to the next town.
- Inconsistent workmanship – Out-of-town roofers tend to have shoddy workmanship because they usually cut corners or use low-quality materials. This is why their services are often cheaper. They exert minimal effort and utilize cheap materials while getting paid for work that could’ve been done a lot better by a trusted local contractor.
- Possibility of getting scammed – Unscrupulous out-of-town roofers are not uncommon. These scammers primarily target panicked homeowners who need immediate repairs but are unsuccessful at finding a local roofer. There are different scams played out by these out-of-towners, but one common trick is asking homeowners for a huge downpayment and then vanishing without a trace after receiving the money.
- Insurance issues – Out-of-town roofers usually have insufficient or no insurance at all. This means that if something were to happen while they’re working on your roof — for example, an injury to one of the workers or damage to your home — they won’t be held responsible or be able to pay for damages.
Advantages of Hiring Local Roofers
Instead of taking the risk and hiring out-of-town roofers, you should work with local roofers instead. Here are some of the benefits of hiring locally:
- Familiarity with the local area – Local residential roofing contractors are often long-time residents in the area, so they are familiar with the local climate and environment. This means they know the best ways to handle your roofing issues as well as the most suitable roofing materials for your local weather. They can also provide you with in-depth information about your roof and offer advice for certain scenarios. For example, if your area deals with nasty hailstorms, they can suggest effective measures to protect your home during this kind of weather.
- Easier to contact and consult – Since they are based in the area, it’s a lot easier to reach them for consultations or in case of roof emergencies. Local roofers can also give you peace of mind as they have a physical address you can visit and a local number you can contact. Moreover, since they’re based in the area, they can arrive at your home more quickly and will have no trouble finding your address.
- Building code compliance and faster permit approval – Local roofers are more familiar with the local building codes, so you can count on them to ensure your roof is compliant with these requirements. They can also help you process the necessary permits, saving you from the hassle of paperwork. With a knowledgeable contractor assisting you with the initial steps of your roofing project, you can rest assured that you’ll be off to a good start.
- More reliable services – Since they are locally based, you can easily view their workmanship by touring the neighborhood and checking the projects they’ve worked on. Some roofs have probably been installed some years ago, so these can give you an insight into how well the roofs they’ve worked on are aging.
- Contribution to the local economy – Supporting local businesses goes a long way when it comes to improving the local economy. The more local workers and businesses are hired for projects, the more prosperous the local economy will be. Here’s a simple look into how hiring a local roofer can positively impact your community – installing your roof will require local contractors, who will then need to source materials from local distributors or suppliers. These distributors and suppliers are able to operate and deliver products and services because of locally hired professionals and workers. All of these create a chain of profitable commerce and services for all.
STARR Roofing & Gutters is a residential roofing expert that can provide you with the high-quality roofing services you need. Our roofers are trained and experienced to address various roofing problems. We perform roof inspections using the latest tools and techniques to ensure a comprehensive report on your roofing system. Request a quote by filling out our contact form or contacting us at (512) 736-6539.