Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Your roof protects everything you own. Your family. Your memories. Your biggest investment. So when it's time to hire a roofer in Lake Norman, you can't afford to guess.
Here's the problem. Not all roofing companies are the same. Some show up, do great work, and stand behind it for years. Others? They take your money and disappear. Or worse, they leave you with a roof that leaks six months later.
We see it all the time in the LKN area. Homeowners sign contracts without asking the right questions. Then they're stuck with shoddy work and no way to get help.
That's why we put together this checklist. These are the 10 things every Lake Norman homeowner should check before signing anything with a roofing contractor. Use this guide and you'll avoid the headaches that catch so many folks off guard.
The Better Business Bureau exists to protect you. When a roofing company is BBB accredited, it means they've agreed to follow ethical business practices. They handle complaints fairly. They're transparent about their work.
But here's what most people don't know. You can also check their rating and read actual customer complaints on the BBB website. Look for patterns. One bad review might be a fluke. But if you see the same complaint over and over? That's a red flag.
At Best Roofing Now, we maintain our BBB accreditation because accountability matters. We want you to see our track record before you ever call us.
North Carolina requires roofing contractors to be licensed. But a basic license is just the starting point. The best roofers go further. They earn certifications from manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed.
Why does this matter? Certified contractors receive special training. They know how to install products the right way. And when you hire them, you often qualify for better warranties on your materials.
Ask any roofer you're considering: "What certifications do you hold?" If they can't answer clearly, keep looking.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends hiring contractors who invest in ongoing education. Roofing technology changes. Installation methods improve. A good roofer stays current.
This one is non-negotiable. Every roofing contractor should carry two types of insurance:
Here's the scary part. If a roofer doesn't have workers' comp and someone gets injured on your roof? You could be held liable. Yes, really. Your homeowner's insurance might have to cover their medical bills.
Always ask for a certificate of insurance. Then call the insurance company to verify it's active. It takes five minutes and could save you thousands.
Lake Norman is a tight-knit community. People talk. And in 2026, online reviews make it easy to learn what others experienced.
Check Google reviews. Look at their Facebook page. Read testimonials on their website. But don't stop there. Ask your neighbors. Post in local Facebook groups. See if anyone you trust has worked with the company.
Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews. Everyone gets a bad review sometimes. What matters is how they handle it. Do they apologize and make it right? Or do they get defensive and blame the customer?
A company's reputation tells you what your experience will probably look like.
Verbal promises mean nothing. Seriously. If a roofer tells you something but won't put it in writing, consider it worthless.
Your written estimate should include:
Read every word before you sign. If something seems unclear, ask. A trustworthy contractor will explain everything without getting frustrated.
And here's a pro tip. If the estimate seems too vague, that's often intentional. Shady contractors leave things out so they can charge more later. Demand specifics.
Warranties in roofing can be confusing. You'll usually deal with two types:
Manufacturer warranty – This covers defects in the roofing materials themselves. It's from the company that made your shingles.
Workmanship warranty – This covers installation errors. It's from the contractor who did the work.
Here's where homeowners get burned. Some contractors offer a "lifetime warranty" but it only covers materials. If they installed your roof wrong and it leaks? That's not covered.
Ask these questions:
That last question matters more than you think. Many roofing companies don't last. According to industry data, a significant percentage of roofing contractors go out of business within five years. Choose a company with staying power.
Roofing in Lake Norman isn't like roofing in Arizona or Maine. Our area has unique challenges. Hot, humid summers. Occasional ice storms in winter. Heavy spring rains. Hurricane remnants that blow through.
A roofer who knows Lake Norman understands these conditions. They know which materials hold up best here. They know how to install roofs that can handle our weather patterns.
Ask how long they've worked in the LKN area. Ask about specific projects in Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, or Huntersville. Local experience means fewer surprises for you.
How a company communicates before the job tells you everything about how they'll communicate during and after.
Did they return your call quickly? Did they show up on time for the estimate? Did they answer your questions clearly? Did they pressure you to sign right away?
Good communication prevents problems. When something unexpected comes up during a roofing project (and something always does), you want a contractor who keeps you informed. Not one who dodges your calls.
⚠️ Watch out for high-pressure sales tactics. Storm chasers and fly-by-night contractors often push you to sign immediately. They claim the price is only good today. Or they create false urgency about damage that doesn't exist. A reputable roofer gives you time to decide.
Be very careful about payment. Here's the golden rule: never pay the full amount upfront.
A reasonable payment structure looks something like this:
If a contractor demands full payment before starting work, walk away. This is a major warning sign. They might take your money and never show up. Or they might do half the work and disappear.
Also be cautious about contractors who only accept cash. Legitimate businesses accept checks and credit cards. Paying by credit card actually gives you some protection if things go wrong.
This might sound soft, but it matters. Who are you really hiring? What do they stand for?
At Best Roofing Now, we're proud to be a veteran-owned roofing company. What does that mean for you? It means we bring military discipline to every project. We show up when we say we will. We finish what we start. We treat your home with respect.
The values a company lives by show up in their work. A company that cuts corners to save money will cut corners on your roof. A company that values integrity will do the right thing even when no one's watching.
Ask about the company's story. How did they get started? Why do they do this work? You might be surprised how much this tells you about what to expect.
Lake Norman is growing fast. And unfortunately, that growth attracts contractors who want quick money. Storm chasers roll through after every big weather event. They promise fast repairs, take deposits, and vanish.
The NRCA warns homeowners to be especially careful after storms. That's when scammers are most active. They knock on doors, point out "damage" you can't verify, and push you to sign immediately.
Using this checklist protects you. It separates the real professionals from the pretenders. And it gives you confidence that you're making a smart choice.
Finding a good roofer doesn't have to be stressful. But it does require some homework. Don't just go with the cheapest bid. Don't sign anything because someone pressured you. And definitely don't skip the insurance verification.
Here's your quick checklist to reference:
✅ BBB accreditation
✅ Proper licenses and certifications
✅ Proof of insurance (liability + workers' comp)
✅ Strong local reputation with real reviews
✅ Detailed written estimate
✅ Clear warranty terms (materials AND workmanship)
✅ Experience specifically in Lake Norman
✅ Professional communication
✅ Reasonable payment terms
✅ Values you can trust
If a roofing company checks all these boxes, you're probably in good hands.
We built Best Roofing Now on a simple idea. Treat every homeowner the way we'd want to be treated. That means honest estimates, quality materials, and work we stand behind for life.
We're veteran-owned, BBB accredited, and GAF certified. We've served families across Lake Norman, Charlotte, Huntersville, and the surrounding areas for years. And we're not going anywhere.
If you're looking for a roofing partner who will be straight with you, schedule your free inspection today. No pressure. No gimmicks. Just honest answers about your roof.
Your home deserves the best. Let's make sure it gets exactly that.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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