With so many roofing companies to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one you should hire. We recommend you do a little research before you choose. Not sure what to look for? Here are our top tips for finding the best roofing companies in Portland, Oregon.
Word of Mouth
One of the best ways to find a reputable roofing company in Portland is by word of mouth. If you have friends or family who have recently had a roofing job done, ask which company they used and whether they were satisfied with the work. Asking those you know and trust for a referral is a good place to start.
Don’t know anyone who has had a roofing job done recently? That’s quite alright. You can try community message boards in your neighborhood or contact local organizations, like your area chamber of commerce. Ask around to see if anyone is able to give you a referral. If not, take matters into your own hands by doing your own research.
Online Reviews
Check online reviews to see what type of experience others have had with roofing companies in the Portland area. You can start by googling top-rated roofing companies in Portland. Read through some of the reviews to get a feel for which companies have the most satisfied customers.
Read both the positive and negative reviews. If someone left a negative review, check whether the company responded. If so, was the business owner eager to make the situation right? Reviewing customer feedback and assessing business responses should help you determine whether the company is invested in its customers.
You should also take into account how many reviews have been left for the business. For instance, a four-star company with hundreds of reviews may be more reliable than a five-star company with only a handful of reviews.
Company History
You should also look at the company’s history and track record. For example, a company that has been in business for decades should have an established reputation in the industry.
Interstate Roofing, for instance, has been providing roofing services to the Portland area since 1988. Many of our employees have been with the company for three decades or more. When you have a team of more than 100 individuals, that’s no easy feat! But we believe it’s an important accomplishment because experienced employees with knowledge and expertise are more likely to deliver quality service to our customers.
A roofing company like Interstate that’s able to retain both its staff and a steady stream of customers is likely one you can trust. That’s not to say that a new business is untrustworthy. But a newer business may require you to do more research and vetting before signing an agreement.
On the other hand, an established company with loyal employees shows that the company is committed to investing in its staff. Likewise, a company that has a steady stream of return customers demonstrates a strong track record for quality work.
Professional Record
Before meeting with a roofing contractor, go a little deeper with your research. All roofing companies should be licensed, bonded, and insured, for instance. The company’s license number may be available on its website. If not, be sure to obtain it.
If the business operates in Oregon, you can verify the validity of the license number by visiting the Construction Contractors Board license search page. You’ll see when you input our license number that our license status is active, confirming that we have a current and valid license with the state.
Once you verify that the company has a valid license, you should check to see whether it has a history of complaints. A good place to start is with the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection division. Simply click “Search Consumer Complaints” on the left-hand side of the page. Once you search the business name and pull up a list of complaints, click “More” in the Details column for additional information regarding the complaint status.
The Better Business Bureau is another good place to look to get insight into a company’s professional track record.
In-Person Consult
Keep in mind that legitimate roofing companies will not go door to door trying to solicit your business. This does not count as an in-person consultation. If a person comes to your door without an appointment and offers to repair or replace your roof, it more than likely is a scam.
On the other hand, once you’ve done your research and have your list of reputable roofing companies narrowed down, you should schedule an in-person consultation to get a personal feel for the company and its work.
When you meet with each roofing company, make sure you have a list of questions prepared. Obviously, you’ll want to ask about project cost to ensure that it fits your budget. You should also request a written estimate. Inquire about working times and the estimated length of completion for the project as well.
Be sure to request the company’s insurance information if you don’t already have it and ask to view a portfolio of their past work. Find out who will be performing the work on your home, their experience level, and what type of warranty is available. Be as specific as possible with your questions and take notes. Detailed notes will help you compare and contrast contractors so that you can make the most informed decision.
Interstate Roofing is an industry leader, and we pride ourselves on being a cut above the rest. If you’re looking for the best roofing companies in Portland, add Interstate to your list. But don’t take our word for it. Do your own research. Our track record will speak for itself.