How to Choose a Roofing Contractor the Right Way

How to Choose a Roofing Contractor the Right Way

That water stain on your ceiling? It’s not going away on its own — and every day you wait, it’s getting worse. Here’s the frustrating part: finding a roofer in the Twin Cities feels like a gamble. Some disappear mid-project. Others quote you one price and bill you another. And a few are just passing through town, chasing the next hhat is the actual “storm,” leaving you with shoddy work and no one to call when problems show up six months later.

The stakes are higher than most homeowners realize. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), nearly 70% of roofing issues result from improper installation — not material failure. That means the person you hire matters more than the shingles they’re nailing down. Choose wrong, and you’re not just out the cost of the job. You’re paying twice to fix what should’ve been done right the first time.

But here’s the good news: choosing a roofing contractor doesn’t have to feel like a roll of the dice. Once you know what to look for (and what to run from), the process gets a whole lot simpler. Let’s break down exactly how to find a roofer you can actually trust.

Why Getting This Right Matters More Than You Think

Your roof isn’t just shingles and plywood. It’s the thing standing between your family and Minnesota’s brutal weather — the January ice storms, the spring downpours, the summer hail that rolls through without warning. When your roof fails, everything underneath it is at risk.

And it’s not just about leaks (though those are bad enough). A poorly installed roof can lead to:

• Water damage that spreads through walls, ceilings, and insulation before you even notice
• Mold growth that creates health problems and tanks your home’s value
• Skyrocketing energy bills from heat escaping through gaps and poor ventilation
• Insurance headaches when claims get denied because the work wasn’t done to code

Speaking of insurance: the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reports that roof-related claims account for nearly 35% of all homeowners’ insurance losses. That’s not a small number. It means one in three claims hitting insurance companies involves someone’s roof — and many of those situations were preventable with better installation or earlier maintenance.

The cost of hiring the wrong contractor isn’t just financial. It’s the stress of dealing with a problem that keeps coming back. It’s the sinking feeling when you realize the “great deal” you got was actually a shortcut waiting to fail. It’s the hassle of trying to track down a fly-by-night company that’s already moved on to the next town.

Getting your roofing contractor selection right the first time? That’s how you avoid all of it.

Start With People You Trust (Then Verify Everything)

Research and Referrals: Your First Line of Defense

The best place to start your search isn’t Google — it’s your own neighborhood. Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they’ve used. Did the crew show up on time? Did they clean up after themselves? Would they hire them again? Personal referrals cut through the marketing noise and give you real information about what it’s actually like to work with a contractor.

That said, don’t stop at word-of-mouth. Even a glowing recommendation deserves a background check. Here’s what to verify:

• Licensing: Minnesota requires contractors to be registered with the state. This isn’t optional — it’s basic consumer protection. You can verify registration through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
• Insurance: The NRCA recommends ensuring your contractor carries both general liability insurance AND workers’ compensation. Why? Because if a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn’t covered, guess who might be liable? (Hint: it’s you.)
• Reviews and ratings: Check the Better Business Bureau, Google reviews, and Angie’s List. Look for patterns — one bad review might be a fluke, but multiple complaints about the same issue (missed deadlines, surprise charges, unfinished work) are a red flag.

This research takes maybe an hour. It can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.

Check Credentials and Experience (They’re Not the Same Thing)

Once you’ve got a shortlist of potential contractors, it’s time to dig deeper. Credentials and experience both matter — but they tell you different things.

Credentials show that a contractor has invested in proper training. Look for certifications from roofing manufacturers like GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning. These certifications mean the contractor has completed specific training programs and can offer better warranties on materials. A manufacturer-certified installer can often provide warranty coverage that a non-certified contractor simply can’t match.

Experience tells you whether they’ve seen it all before. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), experienced contractors are more likely to understand the nuances of local building codes and climate-specific challenges. In Minnesota, that means understanding freeze-thaw cycles, ice dam prevention, proper ventilation for our temperature swings, and which materials hold up best when we get three seasons of weather in one week (because that happens here).

Ask potential contractors directly:

• How long have you been working in the Twin Cities specifically?
• What certifications do you hold?
• Can you show me examples of similar projects you’ve completed?
• Do you have references I can actually call?

A confident, experienced contractor will have answers ready. Someone who gets defensive or vague? That’s information, too.

Compare Quotes — But Know What You’re Comparing

Get Multiple Quotes (Three Is the Magic Number)

Never hire the first contractor who knocks on your door. Get at least three quotes before making a decision. This does two things: it gives you a sense of the going rate for roofing services in your area, and it helps you spot outliers — both high and low.

When reviewing quotes, make sure each one includes:

• Materials: What brand and quality of shingles, underlayment, and flashing are they using?
• Labor: What’s the crew size? How long will the project take?
• Timeline: When can they start, and when will they finish?
• Cleanup: Who’s responsible for debris removal?
• Warranty: What’s covered, for how long, and by whom?

Here’s the thing about that suspiciously low quote: it’s almost never actually a good deal. When an estimate comes in significantly below the others, something’s getting cut. Maybe it’s cheaper materials. Maybe it’s an inexperienced crew. Maybe they’re planning to rush the job and move on. Or maybe they’ll hit you with “unexpected” charges once the work starts and they’ve got you over a barrel.

The cheapest option upfront is often the most expensive option in the long run.

Evaluate Communication and Professionalism

Here’s a truth that applies to almost every contractor relationship: how they treat you before they get the job is the best they’ll ever treat you. Pay attention.

When you call or email, do they respond promptly? When you ask questions, do they give clear, straightforward answers — or do they dodge and deflect? Do they show up on time for the estimate, or do they leave you waiting?

The IBHS emphasizes the importance of clarity in contracts and communication. A good contractor should provide a detailed written contract that spells out:

• The exact scope of work (what’s included, what’s not)
• Payment schedule (reasonable contractors don’t demand full payment upfront)
• Start and completion dates
• Warranty information for both materials and labor
• What happens if unexpected issues come up

If a contractor is vague, dismissive, or pressuring you to sign quickly? Walk away. The right contractor will give you time to review everything and ask questions. They want you to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to — because that’s how you build a relationship based on trust instead of surprises.

Minnesota-Specific Considerations (Because Our Weather Is No Joke)

Roofing in the Twin Cities isn’t like roofing in Arizona or Florida. Our climate throws everything at your roof: heavy snow loads in winter, ice dams forming at the eaves, spring rains that find every gap, summer heat that bakes shingles, and hail that can strike any time from April through September. A contractor who doesn’t understand these conditions is a contractor who’s going to install your roof wrong.

When evaluating contractors, ask specifically about their experience with:

• Ice dam prevention: Proper ventilation and ice-and-water shield installation are critical here
• Snow load considerations: Your roof structure needs to handle significant weight
• Material selection for temperature extremes: Some materials expand and contract better than others through our 100-degree temperature swings
• Hail-resistant options: Impact-resistant shingles can save you headaches (and insurance claims) down the road

Metal roofs, for example, are gaining popularity in Minnesota precisely because they handle our extreme weather well — they shed snow, resist ice dams, and can last 50+ years with minimal maintenance. A knowledgeable contractor should be able to discuss the pros and cons of different materials for our specific climate, not just sell you whatever they have on the truck.

And don’t forget: the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requires contractors to be registered with the state. This registration exists specifically to protect consumers. Always verify that your contractor is properly registered — it takes two minutes and gives you recourse if something goes wrong.

Your Action Plan: What to Do This Week

You’ve got the knowledge. Now it’s time to put it to work. Here’s your step-by-step game plan:

Step 1: Build your shortlist (Day 1-2)

• Ask neighbors, friends, and family for recommendations
• Check online reviews to add 2-3 more options
• Aim for 4-5 contractors to research

Step 2: Verify credentials (Day 2-3)

• Confirm state registration through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
• Verify insurance coverage (ask for certificates)
• Check for manufacturer certifications
• Eliminate anyone who doesn’t check all boxes

Step 3: Request quotes (Day 3-7)

• Schedule estimates with your top 3 candidates
• Ask the same questions of each contractor so you can compare apples to apples
• Take notes on communication style and professionalism

Step 4: Compare and decide (Day 7-10)

• Review all quotes side by side
• Call references for your top choice
• Ask any lingering questions before signing

Step 5: Review the contract carefully

• Don’t sign anything you don’t fully understand
• Clarify payment terms, timeline, and warranty details
• Get everything in writing — verbal promises don’t count

This process might take a week or two. That’s okay. A little patience now prevents a lot of problems later.

Ready to Get Started? We’re Right Here in Your Neighborhood

If you’re looking for a roofing contractor in the Twin Cities, we’d love to be on your shortlist. Owl Roofing is family-owned and based right here in Shoreview — Tim and Bea Brown, Noah and Anya Bergland, and a crew of people who actually live in the neighborhoods we serve. We’ve got 15+ years of combined experience handling everything Minnesota weather throws at roofs, from ice dam repairs to full replacements after summer hail.

We’re not a franchise. We’re not storm chasers who’ll disappear next month. We’re your neighbors, and we’ll be here when you need us — during the project and for years after. We look at your roof, tell you exactly what it needs, and get it done right. No pressure, no confusing estimates, no runaround.

Give us a call at 651-977-6027 or visit owlroofing.com/ to schedule a free inspection. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through your options, and give you an honest assessment — whether that means a full replacement or just a simple repair.

Protect Your Nest.