"Talk to the homeowners directly (without the contractor hovering around) to get candid feedback."
This is spot on. A few years back, I was doing a roof replacement for a homeowner who'd previously hired a highly recommended contractor for their deck. Turns out, the guy had great reviews but left behind a mess of hidden shortcuts. The homeowner only found out months later. Makes me wonder—anyone else ever uncovered issues even after following personal recs closely?
Had something similar happen when we bought our first place. Previous owners raved about their kitchen remodel, but after moving in, we found cabinets installed crooked and wiring shortcuts behind the backsplash. Personal recs help, but they're definitely not foolproof...
Went through something similar when we had our roof redone a couple years back. The roofer we initially talked to recommended this contractor network we'd never heard of, saying they were "highly vetted" and all that. We were skeptical, but figured we'd at least check them out.
First thing I did was look into their certifications and licensing—always step one. Turned out they were legit on paper, but that doesn't always mean quality workmanship. So next, I asked for references from recent jobs they'd done in the area. Actually drove by a couple houses to see the roofs myself (yeah, I'm that guy). Looked decent enough from the street, but you can't really tell much from ground level.
Anyway, we decided to give them a shot since their quote was reasonable and they seemed knowledgeable about materials and installation methods. But here's where it got interesting: I took a day off work to watch the install (again...I'm that guy). Glad I did because halfway through the tear-off, I noticed they weren't installing proper drip edges along the eaves. Had to step in and politely point out the oversight. They corrected it without fuss, but it made me wonder how many homeowners wouldn't have caught that.
Moral of my story: even reputable-sounding networks or recommendations aren't foolproof. If you're not familiar with roofing details yourself, it's worth having someone knowledgeable take a quick look during installation—just to make sure everything's being done right.
"If you're not familiar with roofing details yourself, it's worth having someone knowledgeable take a quick look during installation—just to make sure everything's being done right."
Fair point, but honestly, if I have to babysit the crew to catch basic mistakes like drip edges, that's a red flag for me. I'd rather pay a bit more upfront for a contractor with solid local reviews and a proven track record. My time's valuable too...not gonna spend my day off supervising professionals who should already know their stuff.
I get what you're saying, but even experienced crews can overlook small details when they're rushing or distracted. I've seen drip edges missed because someone assumed another guy handled it. Quick checks aren't babysitting—just extra insurance your roof's done right.
