How to Pick a Good Roofer: What Homeowners Should Look For

Advice From an Insurance Professional and Roofing Company Owner

By Tyler Slade, owner of Slade Roofing and Canyon Lands Insurance

Choosing the right roofing contractor is one of the most important decisions a homeowner can make.

Your roof protects:

• Your family
• Your finances
• Your home
• Your peace of mind

And the quality of the contractor you choose directly impacts how well your roof performs for decades to come.

At Slade Roofing, we were founded with a very specific mission: To help fix the insurance industry by stopping frivolous claims one wind and hail resistant roof at a time.

Our founder, Tyler Slade, has more than two decades of experience in the insurance industry and still owns Canyon Lands Insurance today. He has taught on the topic of insurance fraud and was recently featured in Korsgaden Insights magazine.

After years of seeing preventable claims, poor workmanship, roofing shortcuts, and homeowners dealing with unnecessary stress, Tyler created Slade Roofing to help homeowners make smarter long-term decisions.

So here's the exact advice he would give his own family if they were choosing a roofing contractor. You're going to love how much easier this process becomes once you know exactly what to look for.

1. Research Google Reviews Thoroughly

One of the best ways to pick a good roofer is by researching Google reviews. The more you research roofing contractors online, the more you'll discover that quality roofing companies consistently have: a high quantity of reviews, high quality customer experiences, consistent communication, and strong reputations within their communities.

Just imagine finding a roofing contractor that nearly 500 homeowners have publicly said was one of the best contractors they've ever worked with. What are the odds you're going to have a good experience? Pretty high.

Google reviews help homeowners understand communication quality, professionalism, cleanup and organization, follow-through, warranty support, customer service, and overall experience. The more consistent the reviews are, the more confidence you can have moving forward. Strong reviews also create accountability. Roofing companies that value their reputation tend to value customer experience at a very high level because they understand every homeowner experience matters.

What Homeowners Should Look for in Roofing Reviews

As you read reviews, look for patterns involving:

• Responsiveness
• Honesty
• Reliability
• Quality workmanship
• Clean job sites
• Good communication
• Long-term customer satisfaction

The more positive patterns you see repeatedly, the more clarity you gain about the contractor.

2. Choose a Roofing Contractor With Stability and Experience

One of the smartest things homeowners can do is choose a roofing company with long-term stability and deep local roots. The more established the contractor is, the more confidence homeowners tend to feel throughout the project.

A quality roofing company often has:

• A physical office
• Long-term employees
• Established installation crews
• Manufacturer relationships
• Strong supplier relationships
• Deep roots within the local community

From both the roofing and insurance side, financially stable contractors usually create smoother experiences because they are organized, established, experienced, and focused on long-term relationships.

Ask questions like:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have a local office?
• How long have your crews worked with you?
• What roofing systems do you recommend and why?

The more confidently and transparently a contractor answers these questions, the more peace of mind homeowners tend to feel.

3. Look for Manufacturer Certifications

One of the biggest secrets in the roofing industry is that major shingle manufacturers carefully vet roofing contractors through certification programs. These certifications matter because manufacturers want their roofing systems installed correctly.

The more a contractor invests in manufacturer training and certifications, the more likely they are to follow proper installation methods, understand roofing systems thoroughly, stay current on best practices, and qualify for enhanced warranties.

Ask questions like:

• Are you certified by the manufacturer?
• What level of certification do you hold?
• Does the manufacturer back your workmanship?
• What warranty options are available?

Many certified contractors can offer manufacturer-backed warranties that cover labor, materials, leak protection, and extended replacement periods. The more complete the warranty coverage is, the more protected your investment becomes.

From an insurance perspective, quality roofing systems and proper installation help reduce unnecessary future claims, especially from wind and hail damage. That creates better outcomes for homeowners, insurance companies, communities, and the roofing industry as a whole.

4. Visit the Roofing Supply House

Here's one of the best insider tips homeowners almost never hear. Ask the contractor where they purchase their roofing materials. Then go visit that roofing supply company and ask to speak with a manager.

Supply house managers work with roofing contractors every single day. They know which contractors operate professionally, which companies stay organized, which roofers communicate well, which businesses have long-term stability, and which contractors consistently take care of customers.

Ask questions like:

• If these estimates were all the same price, who would you choose for your own home?
• Which contractor has the strongest reputation with your team?
• Who consistently operates professionally?

You can also ask whether the contractor maintains strong payment history with suppliers. A contractor with strong supplier relationships often demonstrates financial responsibility, stability, organization, and long-term business health.

5. Focus on Long-Term Protection and Value

As both an insurance professional and roofing company owner, Tyler has seen firsthand that the more homeowners focus on long-term protection and value, the happier they tend to be with their roofing investment years later.

A professionally installed roofing system provides protection, durability, energy efficiency, home value, and peace of mind.

When comparing roofing contractors, focus on:

• Reputation
• Experience
• Certifications
• Warranty coverage
• Communication
• Stability
• Installation quality

The more complete the roofing system is, the more protection your home receives for decades to come.

Why Slade Roofing Exists

At Slade Roofing, we believe the roofing industry and insurance industry both improve when homeowners receive better advice, better installation, better materials, and better long-term outcomes.

Our mission is simple: To help fix the insurance industry by stopping frivolous claims one wind and hail resistant roof at a time. That means helping homeowners install roofing systems designed for long-term durability, wind resistance, hail resistance, proper installation, and long-term performance.

The more durable the roof, the fewer unnecessary claims homeowners experience over time. That creates better outcomes for everyone involved.

Final Thoughts: How to Pick the Right Roofer

Choosing the right roofing contractor becomes much easier when you know what to look for. The more research you do upfront, the more confidence you'll have throughout the entire process.

Just imagine hiring a roofing contractor that has been vetted by hundreds of homeowners, roofing supply houses, major manufacturers, and long-term community relationships.

Whether you choose Slade Roofing or another quality contractor, we hope this advice helps you make a smart, confident, long-term decision for your home and family.