Why Choose a Local Maryland Roofing Company?

Choose a Local Roofer Who Will Be There For You

Why Choose a Local Maryland Roofing Company?

Perhaps, a better question is, “Why wouldn’t you choose a local Maryland roofing contractor?” But after working in this industry for a long time, we understand that sometimes you get approached by a roofer who is not local. Or maybe you find a roofer online that appears local, but they turn out to be out of state. They are offering a good price—should you work with them? Allow us to give you a few pointers as to why hiring locally may be your best option and under what circumstances you should avoid out-of-state contractors.

Beware of Roofing Scams

Almost in every industry, there are “fly-by-night contractors.” They travel from place to place, trying to make quick and easy money, which often involves offering sub-par services. When it comes to roofing, fly-by-nighters frequently flock near cities and towns recently hit by bad weather. So if your neighborhood has recently experienced hail damage and you hear a knock on the door from a “roofing contractor” who has “leftover materials,” stay alert. Reputable contractors don’t go door to door, so consider it a red flag.

If you indeed need urgent roof repair after inclement weather, do your research and find a contractor yourself. But be careful because some scam artists manage to appear local by getting local phone numbers and even setting up local websites.

Use these signs to determine whether a contractor is indeed local:

• Look for Maryland license plates
• Ask for their MHIC license number and run it through the DLLR website to confirm
• Ask questions about the company, such as how long they’ve been in business
• Look up the company or owner’s name online and check for any indication that they may be out of state
• Ask about their physical address

Why Hiring Local is Better

While hiring local doesn’t protect you from scams 100%, it comes with many benefits, such as:

• Local roofing contractors may charge you less because they don’t have travel expenses. They would also know the average roof repair or replacement costs in your area and will try to stay competitive. While an outsider may name whatever price they want and hope you won’t shop around.
• A local roofer knows your area and your weather, so he or she may suggest materials best suited for your home. If they’ve worked on other homes in your neighborhood, they may even know of hidden issues with your roof that you are not aware of.
• A local roofer likely has relationships with local roofing suppliers, which means they may get you a better price, as well as ensure delivery on time.
• An out-of-state contractor may disappear and be difficult to reach if you have a problem with the quality of their work. It can be more difficult to get them to stand behind their warranty.

When Hiring Out-of-State Contractors is OK

Because Maryland is a small state surrounded by several others, it’s not uncommon to see roofers from another state, especially if you live near a border. If it’s a reputable company you know or received good recommendations about, then there is no reason you shouldn’t work with them. But if you are just looking for a roofer and don’t have a preference, search online, and you will more than likely find one within 5-10 miles of your home.

Alternative Roofing is based in Baltimore, MD, and serves most of Maryland, including the Eastern Shore. If you are interested in discussing your roofing project or getting a quote, give us a call or contact us online today!