Angie's LIST Guide to
Find a contractor

Get at least three bids

As with any project, it's wise to get multiple bids. When you set out to find a contractor, get least three bids to ensure you have done your proper homework. Spend some time researching and don't just choose from the first five companies that show up on an Internet search. Choose a variety of small and large businesses, take recommendations from family members, neighbors and friends and make sure to get a minimum of three references from each roofing contractor you choose from.

Call suppliers to determine material costs

Part of the contractor's estimate will involve the cost of materials. However, most contractors will include a mark-up with this cost to ensure that they are fully accounted for. Since some contractors can get carried away with the mark-up aspect of the cost, you might want to call the suppliers yourself to determine how much the materials cost without the mark-up. This will help you figure out if the contractor's mark-up is reasonable. Be leery of really low prices. Everyone wants a discount. That can be a good thing. But the price for materials isn’t going to vary wildly enough to make up for a bad job.

Consider the time taken to deliver the estimate

If a contractor tells you that he or she will have the estimate by next Tuesday, but doesn't actually get it to you until Friday, this is likely a reflection of his or her work on the job as well. If you want to find a contractor who sticks to his or her word, consider whether or not they did everything they said they would in regard to the estimate. Doing so is a good way to evaluate the future of your project and prevent any possible setbacks due to bad work ethic.

Angie's List annual Best & Worst list

Look up your city

Each year, the Angie's List Magazine staff analyzes the past year's complaints and ratings to compile the top ten best and worst contractors in major U.S. cities.

Best Contractors come from popular home improvement categories and must qualify for the prestigious 2011 Angie's List Super Service Award, which requires they have a current and overall grade of A and be in good standing with Angie's List. The Best also must have had a flawless - or nearly flawless - overall record, a minimum of six reports and multiple Page of Happiness nominations in the reporting period. These requirements put them in the top 1 percent of contractors eligible for the SSA.

To determine the Worst Contractors, the Angie's List Magazine staff scrutinized member reports, Penalty Box cases and court records. Scores of sources were interviewed, basing selections on the gravity or volume of allegations and the amount of damage customers say those contractors inflicted.

Lastly, the Angie's List Trade Licensing Department audited every Best Contractor finalist for compliance with state and local laws. Any contractor tentatively on a Best list was removed if unable to produce a valid trade license or prove they didn't need one.