If you’ve never had to repair or replace your roof before, you’re likely unsure what makes a residential roofing company trustworthy and reliable to hire. With so many factors to consider—from their expertise, offered services, prices, and more—it can be easy to pick a roofing company that’s not right for you. To prevent that, here are some common mistakes to avoid when choosing a roofing company.

Not Doing Your Research

Don’t get too hasty to hire a roofer. First, you’ll want to do your due diligence to ensure you’re hiring a reliable company that is within your location. Avoid door-to-door roofers and instead look for companies with established locations. Furthermore, you should look for reviews from their past clients to get an unbiased look at what their service is like and how happy customers are with them.

Hiring Unlicensed/Uninsured Roofers

Another common mistake to avoid when choosing a roofing company is not checking whether they have the proper licenses and insurance. Many people don’t even think about this because, naturally, it should be the company’s responsibility. But if something happens on the job, you may be left on the hook if the company doesn’t have insurance. Make sure the company you hire has worker’s insurance in case a contractor is injured on the job. You should also ensure the company has general liability insurance so that your home is covered if they accidentally damage it.

Not Receiving a Written Estimate

Always make sure you receive a written estimate to sign. Sketchy contractors will try to entice you with an under-the-table deal that may seem cheaper at first, but that’s because they’re trying to hide something from you. Getting a breakdown of what’s involved will ensure there are no surprises and allow you to compare the price with other companies to make sure it’s a fair one.

Deciding Purely by Price

Lastly, don’t let the price of hiring a company be your primary deciding factor. After all, you get what you pay for. If you choose a cheap roofer at the cost of expertise or professionalism, you may end up paying more down the line if their work is shoddy. A good roofing company is well worth the investment because they’ll get the job done right the first time around.