How to Hire the Best Roofer

Your roof is one of the main things standing between your family and the Des Moines winter outside. Winter can bring ice dams that form icicles and tear off some of your shingles. It's just as common to have problems that require a roofer during the other seasons. Every time you attempt to do the work yourself, you risk falling off the roof and injuring yourself or making the problem worse. We found the top tips on how to hire the best roofer for any repair or project.

Contractor vs. company

One of the big things to consider is whether you want to go with a roofing contractor or a roofing company. A contractor is an independent worker who may or may not have their own company. They can handle common roofing issues like damaged flashing or missing shingles. A roofing company is the best choice when you need a new roof installed.

Check their qualifications

Avoiding scams is as easy as checking the qualifications of the person or company you hire. Anyone who works on roofs in and around Des Moines must be:

  • Bonded: A bond comes from a separate company. If you hire someone who doesn't fix your roof or leaves the job half-finished, the bond company will pay for the work you need.

  • Insured: Every roofer must have insurance to protect both them and your home. The insurance covers any damage they might do to your roof or home as well as any injuries that workers suffer on the job.

  • Licensed: Des Moines roofing contractors must have a license from the Iowa Board of Licensing. You can search online to make sure they met the guidelines to get their license.

Request a full estimate in writing

Whether you need a simple repair or a whole new roof, always ask for written estimates ahead of time. This lets you see approximately how much the job will cost and compare various roofers' services and prices. 

A good roofer will include any supplies they need in the estimate. It should also explain what will happen if the job goes over budget or the crew cannot finish the job.

Check them out

No matter who you hire, always check them out before the job starts. Roofers can provide references and let you talk with some of their past clients. You can also read their reviews online to see what clients thought about their services. 

Don't forget to check with friends and neighbors. They can often recommend roofers they worked with in the past who have a local presence, like Roof Maxx. Working with a national company is risky because they may hire contractors who do not have the proper training or skills.


The right roofer will handle all of the repairs your roof needs and even clean up at the end of the job. Get help learning when to replace your roof and see some of the common repairs that roofs need when you follow and like TheHomeMag on Instagram or Facebook.

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