People rarely think about the roofing trade until it’s time for a new roof. So, it makes sense that you could use a helping hand when choosing a roofer.

A simple search on the web for roofer near me will show you a slew of roofing companies in and around Alexandria VA. Some of the companies you will see listed online are local roofing pros that operate with 1-2 roofing crews and others are professional roofing contractors like Virginia Roofing Corporation. 

Every company has its strengths and weaknesses, and some specialize in different types of roofing like shingles, slate, and flat roofing – so how do you determine which roofer is the best fit for you?

In this guide, we will explain the difference between 4 types of roofers - “Chuck in a Truck”, a handyman, local roofing pros, and a professional roofing contractor. By the end, you will know who you want to hire and what questions to ask.

How Do You Pick a Good Roofer?

Take a guess, what is the #1-way new customers find Virginia Roofing Corporation? Referrals! 

Chances are your friends, your neighbor that recently had their roof replaced, or your real estate agent knows a good roofer so it wouldn’t hurt to ask them for a recommendation. Then with your own research - and asking the necessary questions - you can determine which local roofing company is the right fit for you. 

Generally, there are 3 things you want to look for that every good roofer has:

• Physical office location
• 10 years in business
• Positive customer reviews

Roofing Company Owner, Bill Ragain, recommends in his blog article to hire a roofing company that’s been around for at least ten years. Trust the experts when we say that you will feel more comfortable hiring a roofer that has a lot of experience. But first, let’s review the different types of roofers you will come across in your search. 

The Different Types of Roofers in Alexandria VA 

Below are the 4 types of roofers you will see in Alexandria VA and their differences. 

1. Chuck In A Truck

A “Chuck In A Truck” is a term used to describe the type of worker that’s probably not the best fit for your roof replacement. “Chuck” is usually seen driving an unmarked pick-up truck and offering homeowners an irresistibly low price for roofing work.

If you hire them, they may hit you with hidden fees or not show up for the job at all. Avoid this type of worker if you’re looking to find a roofer that you can rely on in the long term. 

2. Handyman 

Is hiring a handyman for roofing work a good decision? 

Your local handyman that does roofing says he’s going to give you a good deal, but is it too good to be true? If you check that your handyman is licensed and insured, you can trust them to handle minor roof repairs such as: 

• Replacing a few missing shingles
• Nailing down raised shingles
• Securing a loose gutter
• Cleaning gutters

Sometimes homeowners are laxer with their local handyman and hire without checking credentials. Before you hire, think about what could go wrong if an accident were to happen on your property. 

3. Local Roofing Pros 

Local pros are family-run roofing companies. They are licensed and insured and may have a small office space. The owner of the roofing company usually gains experience working for a professional roofing contractor before opening their own roofing business. Generally, a pro roofer won't be prone to making mistakes, but you should still look at online reviews to verify a positive customer experience.

4. Professional Roofing Contractor

A professional roofing contractor checks all the boxes for a successful roof replacement. First and foremost, you can count on this type of roofer to be there for you before, during, and after your roof replacement. 

You can expect this type of roofer to be customer-focused and have several departments like estimating, project management, service, and accounting. When you work with a professional roofing contractor like Virginia Roofing Corporation you will see how each of these departments plays a role in supporting your roof replacement. 

The 10 Most Important Things to Look for In a Roofer

What is the first thought that comes to mind when someone asks you, "What are you looking for in a roofer?" While some might answer professional, customer-centric, or reliable, you might say affordable price. Ultimately, you want the company you choose for your roof replacement to be your go-to roofer for the next 20 years. So, you need to ask the right questions and look for a company that's the best fit for you. Continue this guide, as we tell you 10 things that separate a great roofer from all the others. 

1. Licensed and Insured 

You will see the words licensed and insured contractor a lot when you’re looking to hire a roofer. Do yourself a favor and verify that your contractor is in fact licensed and insured before signing a contract. Some of the worst roofing horror stories we've heard coincidentally always involve an uninsured/unlicensed roofer.

Simply search "Virginia Contractor License Lookup" online and enter the contractor’s license number to verify that they are in good standing. If they cannot provide you with their license number or you find that they have an expired license, look for another roofer. 

2. Proof of Insurance

Ask your roofing contractor to provide you with proof of insurance. A professional roofing contractor like Virginia Roofing Corporation has many insurance policies that protect employees, the company itself, equipment, and you. Knowing that your roofer is fully insured should give you the peace of mind that you are protected. 

3. Website


Does the roofing company have a website? 

An online presence like a website is a good sign. Nearly every business has a website, so it’s a red flag when you can’t find one. It doesn't have to be fancy. Sometimes a simple website is enough to prove that they are a reputable roofing contractor. 

4. Online Reviews

Have you ever left a review for a business on Google? People are their most candid and authentic selves when they leave online reviews. You should always read a roofer’s online reviews before hiring and parting with your money.

If you discover a bad review, remember that it is impossible to please every customer. But pay attention to how a company responds to an online complaint; this can tell you a lot about their customer service. Click here to read Virginia Roofing Corporation’s glowing 5-star Google reviews. 

5. Price

If you’re looking for the lowest price available in Alexandria VA, you’re guaranteed to find it. Just don’t focus on price alone when choosing a roofer. If questions are going unanswered now or customer service is lacking, you might want to look elsewhere. Initial and ongoing customer service for roofing projects is going to be more important in the long term than you might think. 

6. Professional Contract

Look for professionalism in a roofing contract. At the very least it should include the shingle brand and color that you’ve picked out. However, other information should be included to protect you and your property.

Carefully review the contract and make sure that everything you agreed upon is written out. Ask questions about anything that’s missing and refer to the table below to see what should be included in your roofing contract. 

What does a roofing contract include?

7. Payment Methods

Payment terms and conditions vary a lot depending on the roofing company. You will have to find the roofer with the payment method that best suits you. If you are uncomfortable that a roofer wants half up front, find a roofer with alternative payment methods. At Virginia Roofing Corporation, you can choose to either finance your roof replacement or pay in full after the work is completed. 

Should I take a loan for a roof?

Sometimes a roof replacement is easier to afford when broken down into payments. Search online for roofing companies that offer payment plans in Alexandria VA. You will see that Virginia Roofing Corporation is one of the few that allows you to pay monthly for your new roof. 

8. Customer Service

Excellent customer service is what separates the roofing companies that thrive from the roofers that only survive. Customer service is extremely important when picking a roofer. You want to hire the Alexandria roofer that’s going to go above and beyond for you.

It’s a bad sign if they’re not answering the phone or are a no-show for a scheduled appointment. You cannot count on that type of roofer to be there for you 5, 10, or 15 years later when you have a roofing issue. 

9. Years in Business

Should it matter to you how long the roofing company has been in business? 

Yes, the number of years in business tells you how stable a company is. If they have at least ten years in business, it is a good sign that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

10. Workmanship Warranty

What is a roofing workmanship warranty? 

A workmanship warranty is a labor warranty that protects you from specific roofing issues after your roof replacement. For example, if your brand-new roof leaks, your roof installer is responsible for the repair. 

It is common for roofing contractors to issue a 2-year labor warranty, but every roofer is different. Ask your roofer for workmanship warranty details or find them in the roofing contract. 

Choosing the Best Professional Roofing Contractor in Alexandria VA 

Now that you have a better understanding of what it takes to be a good roofer in this area, request your free roof estimate from the experts at Virginia Roofing Corporation. You can expect a prompt call from a dedicated Estimator that will assist you with a free roof assessment. With 95 years under our belts and proven customer service, you will be able to rely on us for many years to come.