I've been wondering about Angie's List too—heard mixed things since the merger. Does anyone know if their pricing structure changed much? Last time I checked (pre-merger), it seemed a bit steep for just occasional use, especially when you're already budgeting for something big like roof repairs.
I actually had decent luck with local Facebook groups when our water heater went out last winter. Got a few quick recommendations and ended up with someone reliable and affordable. But roofs...that's a bigger gamble. Curious if anyone's had success finding roofers through social media groups or if that's too risky for such a major job?
Honestly, I always feel like I'm rolling the dice with these urgent home repairs. Seems like the good contractors are always booked solid, and the ones available immediately make me suspicious. Maybe that's just me being overly cautious...?
Agree with you on Angie's List—pricing got a bit murky after the merger, and it's still not great for one-off jobs. Facebook groups can be hit or miss for roofs, honestly. I've seen some solid recommendations, but also plenty of sketchy "contractors" popping up overnight after storms. Best bet is to cross-check any FB recs with BBB ratings or local licensing boards...takes an extra step, but worth it for peace of mind.
I ran into similar issues after a bad storm last summer. Facebook recs were all over the place...some legit, others clearly sketchy. Ended up talking to my neighbor who had repairs done recently—got a solid recommendation from him. If you have neighbors who've been in the area longer, maybe hit them up? Also, definitely double-check licenses online—takes like 5 mins and saved me from hiring someone with expired credentials. Good luck, roof issues suck bigtime...hope you get it sorted soon.
Neighbor recs are usually solid, but honestly, even then I'd still grill the contractor a bit. Last year, my neighbor recommended someone who did great work for him, but when I asked about insurance coverage, the guy got super vague...red flag much? Definitely ask about insurance and warranties upfront—if they're legit, they'll have no problem answering clearly. Roof repairs aren't cheap, so better safe than sorry. Hope you dodge the sketchy ones and get it fixed quick.
"Definitely ask about insurance and warranties upfront—if they're legit, they'll have no problem answering clearly."
This is solid advice, but honestly, don't be too quick to judge if someone hesitates a little. I've seen some really skilled contractors who just aren't great communicators—doesn't necessarily mean they're sketchy. That said, being vague about insurance is definitely not cool...that's a basic question any decent contractor should be able to answer without hesitation.
One thing I'd add is to ask about their experience with your specific issue. Roofing isn't a one-size-fits-all deal—some guys are amazing with shingles but clueless about flat roofs, or vice versa. I once had a guy recommended by family who did great asphalt work for them but totally botched my metal roof repair. Lesson learned the hard way, unfortunately.
Bottom line: Do your homework, ask the right questions, but maybe cut 'em a bit of slack if they're not super polished in their responses. Just trust your gut...usually works for me.
