"Had a client recently who went with a small local roofer; the guy even came back after a storm just to check everything held up okay."
That's the kind of follow-up you rarely see with bigger outfits. Had a similar experience last summer when we had that nasty hailstorm roll through. The homeowner had used a smaller roofing company, and the owner himself popped by afterward just to make sure the shingles hadn't taken any hits. Didn't charge extra or anything—just genuinely cared about his work holding up. Those details really set certain companies apart.
Had the same thing happen a few years back after we replaced a roof on one of our properties. Went with a smaller local company, and the owner himself swung by after a big windstorm just to check things out. He noticed a few loose shingles (nothing major, honestly I probably wouldn't have caught it myself) and fixed them on the spot. Didn't even charge us for it.
In my experience, these smaller outfits often have more at stake with their reputation, so they're willing to put in that extra bit of effort. Bigger companies aren't always bad, but you tend to be just another invoice number to them. If you're looking for quality and accountability, it's worth taking the extra time to find someone local who actually cares about the job they're doing.
Totally agree with you on the smaller companies being more accountable. Had a similar experience myself when we went green with our roof a couple years back. It was a pretty big job—installing solar panels and switching to eco-friendly materials. We got quotes from a few bigger companies, but honestly, their sales pitches felt like they were reading from a script. You know, lots of promises, flashy brochures, but zero personal touch.
Ended up going with a local guy who'd been doing green roofing for years. He was upfront about everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even told us outright that solar wasn't always the best choice depending on your roof angle and tree cover... which was refreshing compared to the bigger guys who just wanted to sell, sell, sell.
The best part was after installation. About six months later, we had a crazy hailstorm roll through town. I was worried sick about the panels, thinking we'd just flushed a ton of money down the drain. Called him up, and he swung by the next morning, climbed up there, and checked everything out. Thankfully, no damage, but he still took the time to inspect every inch and even cleaned off some debris while he was at it. Didn't charge us a dime either, just like your guy.
Don't get me wrong, I know some bigger companies can be solid too, but there's definitely something to be said for someone who actually cares about their reputation in the community. Plus, supporting local businesses is always a nice bonus. Glad you had a good experience too—it's reassuring to hear there are still plenty of honest folks out there.
That's great to hear about the local guy coming through for you. We're thinking about going solar soon, but our roof has a pretty steep pitch and a bunch of tall trees nearby... did your installer mention any specific angles or shading issues to watch out for?
- Good point about the trees... shading can really cut into your solar output.
- Our installer mentioned that steep roofs actually help with efficiency since panels get better sun exposure, especially in winter.
- But yeah, tall trees nearby could be tricky—he suggested checking shading patterns at different times of day/year before committing.
- Maybe try one of those solar pathfinder tools or apps first to see if it's worth it?
