Best Roofing Companies

There are a few key things you should look for when choosing a roofing company to ensure you get a skilled and qualified professional. Pay attention to years of experience, past work with your preferred roofing material, proper licensing and insurance and pricing. Also look for a warranty or satisfaction guarantee.

Licensing and insurance coverage

The first thing you can do to narrow down roofers in your area is to rule out any that don’t have proper licensing and insurance.

Some states require roofers to have a specific roofer’s license, but most just require a general contractor’s license. You can usually find license requirements on your state’s building department website. Once you confirm what’s necessary, ask each roofer you’re considering for a license number and verify that it’s active.

You should also never hire a roofer who doesn’t have proper insurance coverage. Ask each pro for a copy of their general liability insurance binder as well as their workers’ compensation insurance binder.

Cost and pricing

Prices can range widely among different roofers due to varying labor fees, roofer experience and upcharges for materials. Pay attention to the following to ensure you get a fair price and good value for the money.

• Itemization: Reputable roofers with nothing to hide will break down the costs on your estimate. It should include a clear price for labor as well as separate costs for each type of material. The best roofing estimates will include per-square-foot or per-linear-foot costs plus the estimated amount of material necessary for your project.
• Add-ons: Make sure your roofer includes the material and labor costs for underlayment, which you’ll almost always need to replace along with your roof. Some roofers will also bid to replace flashing, so pay attention to added fees so that you can compare quotes apples-to-apples.
• Permit fees: Most municipalities require permits for roof replacement. Experienced roofing pros in your area will know the fee structure and include the fee in your estimate to avoid surprises. Question any roofer that doesn’t delineate permit costs on your quote.
• Notes about unexpected damage: There’s always the possibility that your pro will find hidden water damage or pest damage when they remove your roof. Experienced pros will include notes about potential change orders for surprise issues. They should also include an estimated cost per hour for additional labor to fix the problem.

While upfront cost is important, it’s not everything. “One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is comparing roofing proposals based solely on the bottom-line price,” said Chris Kavcsak, CEO of Elevated Roofing & Siding, which provides services in the Dayton, Ohio, area. “Two quotes may appear similar while including vastly different materials, warranties and installation methods.”

Positive reviews

It's a good idea to base your roofer choice on personal recommendations from friends, family members or neighbors, but you should also check online reviews to gauge general customer experience.

Read through reviews on multiple sites, like ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau, to get a sense of how reliable and trustworthy a roofer is. As you read negative reviews, be aware that all companies will have unhappy customers. What’s more important than a single bad review? A history of specific issues that persist across projects. Here are some specific things to look for:

• Leaks shortly after the installation
• Jobs abandoned in the middle of the installation
• A lack of curb appeal due to poor installation
• Inaccurate estimates
• Predatory sales tactics

Experience

You should always hire a roofer with at least five years of experience and expertise in installing your preferred roofing material. Most roofers can safely install asphalt shingle roofs, but look for more dedicated expertise if you want a metal roof, a slate roof, a clay roof or a solar roof. These demand different installation procedures and are easy to get wrong.

Workmanship warranty

Finally, ask each roofer you’re considering if they provide a labor warranty. Some of the best roofing companies provide “a workmanship warranty, not just a material warranty,” McGavin said.

This isn’t a make-or-break factor, but when a roofing pro does offer a warranty, it’s a good sign that you’re going to get high-quality installation that maximizes curb appeal and leaves your home adequately protected for years to come.

Asphalt shingles are, by far, the most popular roofing material, but there are many other options that could suit your needs better. You should consider all of the following types of roofing materials before deciding what’s best for your climate and personal preference.

Asphalt shingle roof

Asphalt shingle roofs are the most common throughout the U.S. They consist of a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic or mineral granules. Asphalt shingle roofs last for 20 to 30 years. They come in a variety of colors and types for customization:

• Three-tab asphalt shingles, which are the least expensive but also the least durable
• Architectural asphalt shingles, which are the most common
• Luxury asphalt shingles, which offer better curb appeal and usually last the longest but are the most expensive

“Architectural shingles have largely replaced the old flat three-tab style because they hold up better against wind and last longer for a small step up in price,” McGavin said.

Metal roof

Metal roofs cost about twice as much as asphalt shingle roofs, but they also last more than twice as long, with a lifespan of up to 80 years. Metal roofs shed snow well and reflect heat better than asphalt shingles, so they’re popular in extreme climates on both ends of the spectrum.

Metal roofs are usually aluminum, but tin, copper, steel and zinc are all options. A standing-seam metal roof is the most popular design, but you can also get an upgraded appearance by going with metal shingles or a lower cost by choosing a corrugated metal roof.

Wood roof

Wood roofs can create a more rustic appearance since they make use of natural resources. They’re usually made of cedar and come in shingles or “shakes.” They last for an average of 25 years, making them on par with asphalt shingles, but they can cost close to twice as much per square foot.

Wood roofs require quite a bit of maintenance, including waterproofing, fireproofing and staining, as needed. They’re not suitable for humid environments or areas that see heavy rainfall, as they can quickly grow mold.

Clay or concrete roof

Clay and concrete roofs are extremely durable and can last for 100 years or more. While they’re two to three times as expensive as asphalt shingles, you end up getting more value from them over time. Neither clay nor concrete will transfer heat readily, making them good options in hotter climates, where they can help keep your living space cool.

Clay and concrete tiles are very heavy, so some homes might need structural changes to be able to support additional roof loads. They’re also prone to cracking, especially with foot traffic, so your professionals will need to be extra careful when navigating your roof to avoid damage.

Slate roof

Slate is the longest-lasting roofing material, with a lifespan of 150 years or more. While it’s the most durable and resistant to leaks, it can also cost more than three times as much as a standard asphalt shingle roof.

Slate is an eco-friendly roofing material that’s naturally resistant to water, fire, pests and impact from hail and blown debris. It can also elevate your curb appeal to add more to your property value. However, it’s very heavy and may require structural changes for support. And since it’s relatively uncommon in the U.S., you may struggle to find a pro who specializes in the material.

Solar shingle roof

Solar shingles are a relatively new roofing material that can generate electricity for your home to help offset electricity costs. They can be nearly five times as expensive as traditional asphalt shingles, but solar shingles can be worth it because they can pay for themselves over time by providing savings on utility costs.

Solar shingles require a high level of specific expertise for a proper installation, so you may run into some difficulty finding an installer who specializes in this roof option. Solar shingles may be eligible for energy efficiency credits and rebates, so check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information on potential savings.

Synthetic roof

Synthetic roofing materials are made to look like other options, but they’re made of synthetic materials that help keep costs low. The primary appeal of these materials is the low cost for a roof that looks like a luxury option. You’ll still pay more than you would for asphalt shingles, but you get a roof that provides the same high-end curb appeal as slate, clay or wood.

The primary downside is that you don’t get the lifespan you would from genuine long-lasting roof materials, like slate, clay or concrete. Synthetic roofs last for up to 35 years, on average, so you’re paying mostly for the curb appeal. However, synthetic roofs can also be more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles, so you could offset upfront cost with utility bill savings.

On average, you can expect to pay around $7 per square foot of roof you need to replace. This assumes you pay about the average cost for asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material. The average home in the U.S. is 1,830 square feet, and the standard roof pitch puts the average roof size at 2,115 square feet. The all-in average cost to replace a roof is $14,805.

Roof replacement costs can vary widely based on many factors, including the type of roof you want to install, the size of your home, the pitch of your roof, the presence of hidden roof damage and more. If you know the square footage of roofing you need to replace, you can use the per-square-foot costs from our experts in the table below to get a good idea of your total.