Neighbors are solid, but honestly, don't lean too much on BBB ratings alone. Seen plenty of sketchy outfits skate by with decent scores there.
Exactly—dig deeper into independent reviews and local forums. Saved me from headaches more than once."Trust but verify...saved my roof (and wallet) already."
BBB ratings can be hit or miss, true, but I wouldn't dismiss them entirely. They're still a decent starting point—especially if you're dealing with a contractor network you've never heard of. Sure, independent reviews and local forums often give you the real scoop, but even those can sometimes be skewed by overly vocal customers (good or bad). Personally, I've found it helpful to cross-reference BBB ratings with online reviews and then actually call up past clients directly if possible. A quick chat can reveal way more than any star rating ever could. Saved me from a shady solar installer last year...the guy had glowing online reviews but talking to actual homeowners painted a totally different picture. Just my two cents though—there's no foolproof method, unfortunately.
"Personally, I've found it helpful to cross-reference BBB ratings with online reviews and then actually call up past clients directly if possible."
Yeah, that's pretty much my go-to method as well. Another thing I'd add—don't overlook checking their licensing and insurance status directly through your state's contractor board website. I've seen contractors with decent BBB ratings who were actually operating with expired licenses or sketchy insurance coverage. Takes just a few minutes but can save you from major headaches down the road...
"Another thing I'd add—don't overlook checking their licensing and insurance status directly through your state's contractor board website."
Good call on that one. I'd also suggest asking the roofer directly about the network they're recommending—like, how long they've been involved, what kind of vetting process they use, stuff like that. I've seen some contractor networks that are legit and helpful, but others... well, let's just say they're more marketing fluff than substance. Doing a little digging upfront can really pay off later.
I'd also suggest asking the roofer directly about the network they're recommending—like, how long they've been involved, what kind of vetting process they use, stuff like that.
Good points all around. I'd also be curious about reviews from actual homeowners who've used contractors from that network. Sometimes the official vetting sounds great, but real-world experiences... well, they can tell a different story. Better safe than sorry, right?
