When you're in the market for a new roof for your business or home, a metal roof is a smart choice. Modern metal roofs last an incredible 40 to 70 years, promote energy savings, protect the environment, and are a great return on investment. Metal roofs today span a range of styles and colors and are perfect for just about any structure. A quality metal roofer ensures you get the best materials and installation.
 
Don't scrimp on time or effort when seeking the best roofer for your specific job. Your roof is a major investment and focal point of your home, and you want it to be durable and beautiful. Check out a few tips that will help match you with a professional who meets your needs so that you'll have a roof you are proud of for many years to come.

18 Tips for Finding the Best Metal Roofer for Your Specific Job

1. Start With the End in Mind

First, imagine the final look of your beautiful new roof. Decide which material works best to achieve it: steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc alloy. Determine whether you like traditional silver- or copper-colored metal or whether a painted finish best suits your project. Additionally, there are a wide range of metal roof styles and details to consider, such as whether you prefer concealed or exposed fasteners. Find a roofer who can achieve the look you desire.

2. Determine Your Needs

Next, think about what you need to be done. Whether your job is commercial or residential is one factor; either way, the size of the project is an important consideration. You want to be certain your chosen professional can meet your project's deadline. Perhaps you're seeking a roof repair for a leaking or damaged roof and need to use a company willing to help you with an insurance claim.

3. Get a Referral

Begin your search by asking friends and neighbors with metal roofs if they recommend the professionals they used. Talk to a trusted contractor or builder for leads. Don't be shy about asking companies that you're considering to provide the contact information of customers willing to provide referrals. Word of mouth is a great way to begin to identify the best pro for you.

4. Search for Testimonials

Crowdsourcing advice is a modern, effective way to quickly learn who others recommend. Use the internet to your advantage by scanning roofers' websites or social media for testimonials. Look at public or paid social media sites like Angie's List, Nextdoor, or other online review sources. Post a query to Facebook or Instagram asking for recommendations. 

5. Select a Professional

Your roof is a big investment, so select someone who has the knowledge and years of experience to do the job properly. Avoid "storm chasers," amateur roofers, or those who do roofing as just a side job. Established professionals provide quality advice and save the headaches and waste that result from an improperly installed roof. You and your home deserve excellence, so work with someone you trust to do high-quality work at a fair price.

6. Look Locally

A major benefit of choosing a local business is their understanding of the area in which you live. A local metal roofer will help you best determine the materials that are ideal for your project's location. They will be familiar with the types of roofs popular in your area's home market, which will pay off when you go to sell your home. Post-installation, you can count on them to be there if issues arise.

7. Ask Questions

Interview potential roofers. Find out the number and types of roofing jobs they've done; make sure they have experience specifically as a metal roofer. Ask questions about the materials they use and the suppliers with whom they contract. Make sure they get their materials from proven and reliable sources, know how to install them properly, and offer post-installation service.

8. Consider the Weather

Metal roofs are generally weatherproof, fire-resistant, and can withstand winds of up to 140 mph. Other weather conditions, however, can impact a roof's performance. Icy climates, for example, may require snow guards or heating cables to protect ice and snow from sliding onto structures below. Coastal area roofs perform best with coated metal to protect from salt water oxidation. A local pro will know what's best.

9. Think of the Environment

Metal roofs are a truly green building product because they are 100 percent recyclable. If environmental issues are important to you, find a roofer who uses panels crafted with a high percentage of post-consumer metal. Good energy efficiency, which is to be expected of metal roofs as long as your professional uses quality materials installed properly, means your home uses less valuable energy to heat and cool.

10. Evaluate Customer Service

A high caliber of service is critical before, during, and after your roof is installed. Customer-oriented businesses will work with you promptly, professionally, and patiently to understand your specific job's needs. They will communicate well the details of their products and process, be able to meet deadlines, and be eager to earn your business with competitive pricing.

11. Examine Credentials

Don't overlook the importance of choosing a company that is licensed, insured, and certified. A current state license means the roofer has proven they are skilled in installation and repair. Being properly insured protects you and your property should anything go wrong. Certifications indicate the professional has received additional training to install specific products.

12. Mind the Materials

Your roof is only as good as the materials used to build it, so select a pro who knows which manufacturers offer supplies with the best performance for your particular job. Some materials are more durable than others. Metal roofs' galvanizing coatings, for example, can vary in thickness, with a thicker coating providing longer wear and less fading. Find a company who works with the best.

13. Review Warranties

While "lifetime warranty" sounds great, no warranty can assure that your metal roof will last forever. Check the fine print to see whether the warranty covers only a portion of the value of your roof as it ages. Surface rust, as long as the product doesn't rust through, may not be covered. Fading or chalking, a whitish color that can appear as resin coating degrades, may not either. Examine the details to be certain of what is covered.

14. Assess Your Budget

Find a company willing to work with your budget. A new roof is a significant investment, so a company offering financing may be key to helping you stretch your budget. Never allow anyone to "upsell" materials or products you don't want. Keep in mind that while a metal roof costs more than one made of asphalt shingles, it will last at least two to three times as long, be more energy-efficient, and prompt your insurance company to provide a discount.

15. Obtain a Quality Estimate

Roofing pros should not charge for estimates; use a company that provides free estimates, either at your job site or online. An accurate estimate is also key to avoiding surprises at the end of your job. Make sure your pro is able to stay on budget and stick to the estimate; determine ahead of time what might cause the estimate to have to change.

16. Save on Shipping

To save shipping costs and time, work with a company that uses a manufacturer with the ability to roll panels on site. This eliminates much of what can be considerable shipping costs, and it reduces the need for large trucks to gain access to your job site to deliver flat panels. The ability to deliver other roofing materials directly to your site supports cost savings as well.

17. Learn About a Company's Values

Be sure the company you use treats its employees well. See if you can find out whether employees are paid a fair wage and offered benefits such as insurance, adequate time off, or the use of company vehicles. Ask how the safety of job site employees is assured. A company that treats its employees well will be far more likely to treat its customers well, too.

18. Find Folks Who Give Back

A company that serves its community is a company that cares. Seek out roofers who, for example, donate some of their time, profits, or supplies to help the less fortunate obtain a quality roof. Look for companies that sponsor local schools or who organize, for instance, food drives or sponsor other charitable events.

As you can see, a lot of factors go into selecting the best professional to install the roof you need. Take the time to find a local roofer who makes sure the customer comes first, uses quality materials, and has a proven track record before, during, and after installation.
 
If you're looking for a company you can trust in the Austin area, call Austin Roofing and Construction for a free estimate on-site or online. We're licensed, insured, certified, and reliable. Whether your job is commercial or residential, big or small, we promise to provide world-class customer service.