How to Spot Bad (and Good) Roofing Reviews

by Nathan Sisk | Aug 6, 2025 | Residential Roofing

A homeowner reading reviews for roofing contractors

You probably have at least one horror story of buying a “highly rated” product but later being disappointed when it doesn’t perform as advertised. If the purchase was $5 on Amazon, you were probably slightly upset, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. However, choosing an inept roofer could cost you a fortune.

Like most businesses, roofers seek as many positive reviews as possible, and they aren’t always reputable. So, how can you wade through the mountains of feedback and find valuable insights?

Here’s a few tips to help you evaluate roofing company reviews to find real, actionable information and, most importantly, disregard the junk. Use these guidelines to determine the best roofer to choose for your next project.

Online Reviews Are the Modern “Word-Of-Mouth”

In the past, recommendations from friends and neighbors were the primary tool for evaluating contractors. These conversations with trusted people are still the most valuable recommendations, but you can now get helpful information from thousands of people you’ve never met.

Platforms like Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau are the modern day “word-of-mouth”, so you can learn more about potential contractors and how they’ve served your community. Reviews on these platforms empower you to:

Gain Perspective. See what others have experienced with a roofing contractor – both positive and negative.
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses. Pinpoint a company’s strong suits and areas where they have fallen short in the past.
Verify Reputation. Gauge a roofer’s overall standing and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Make Informed Decisions. Feel confident in your choice after leveraging the collective experience of others.

While these benefits are a fantastic addition to the process of selecting a contractor, the sheer volume of reviews can be overwhelming. That’s why you need to know how to dissect them for valuable, actionable information, and avoid the “red flags” that a roofer may not be as knowledgeable as they seem.

Identifying “Red Flags”: Warning Signs in Reviews

Certain patterns in a roofer’s reviews should make you slow down and reconsider. The following red flags are unfortunately fairly common and could be a hint that you are considering an unreliable roofer.

1. A Lot of Vague, Unsubstantiated Five-Star Reviews

Five-star ratings are desirable but be skeptical if a contractor has an unusually high number of perfect scores that lack specific details. These reviews often include just a star rating, or a star rating with a vaguely worded review that could apply to any kind of business.

At worst, a lot of positive feedback without details can be a sign of purchased reviews, where the company pays people who have never worked with them to leave positive reviews. Companies often resort to purchasing reviews when they don’t have real customers, or they need to outweigh negative feedback from real clients who weren’t satisfied with their service. Both scenarios are massive red flags that could leave you with a subpar roofing job.

However, not all vague reviews are bad. Some people naturally leave generic feedback, and a few of these reviews are perfectly normal. The issue arises when the majority of reviews are so vague that they could be applied to any situation.

2. Many Complaints About Core Services

Many reviews that mention the same issues are a strong indicator of a problem. Some of the issues you should watch out for include:

Poor Communication. Be wary of a roofer who reviewers say didn’t return phone calls or left the homeowner in the dark about the project timeline.
Missed Deadlines. Managing deadlines is a crucial part of any project, so be wary of roofers with many reviews stating their projects took longer than anticipated or the start date was delayed multiple times.
Hidden Costs. Hidden costs are a concern in all types of contracting work, so pay attention to homeowners who express surprise at the final total.
Poor Workmanship. A new roof should last decades, so reviews mentioning issues arising quickly could be a sign of poor-quality installation.
Messy Cleanup. Your roofer should clean up after themselves, so watch out for reviews mentioning the contractor leaving a mess.
Lack of Professionalism. You should be treated with respect, so consider reviews that mention rudeness as a giant red flag.

A few of these complaints out of hundreds of reviews are likely anomalies. However, a pattern suggests a flaw in the company’s operations or quality control.

3. Lack of Recent Reviews or an Inconsistent Online Presence

A reputable roofing contractor should have a consistent online presence with recent reviews. If a company has no recent reviews, they may no longer be in business, may have changed their name, or could be struggling to find new clients. Similarly, very few reviews can indicate a new company with limited experience.

Beyond A Star Rating: “Green Flags” in Roofing Reviews

Once you have eliminated roofers with purchased reviews or recurring issues, you can begin to compare the reputable companies in your area. As you do this, look for the following “green flags” that should be present in a competent roofer’s reviews.

1. Specificity and Detail

Generic praise is rarely helpful. Instead, prioritize reviews that offer tangible details about the roofing project. As you read reviews, ask yourself:

What kind of work was done? Reviews that include the type of service you need or material you plan to use can help determine if the roofer has experience with your specific issue.
What was the timeline like? Most homeowners are seeking a quick, painless roofing project, so it makes sense to look for reviews that mention delays and how the contractor handled them.
How did the roofer communicate? A roof is a significant investment, and you need a contractor that answers questions promptly and clearly. Reviews that mention stellar communication can be a “green flag” when evaluating a potential roofer.
What about the quality of workmanship? Pay attention to reviews that mention attention to detail, proper installation, and a clean job site as these factors generally lead to long-lasting results.
Did they mention the employees by name in their review? When you see a few different employees mentioned by name as providing excellent service, time and time again in detailed reviews, this is an indicator of a good service culture.

2. Plenty of Feedback

A high star rating with only a handful of reviews might not be as reliable as a slightly lower rating based on hundreds of reviews. That’s why you should also consider the total number of reviews to ensure you are accurately judging a contractor’s performance.

Review frequency can also be an important factor to consider. A steady stream suggests ongoing customer satisfaction. On the other hand, an influx of generic, positive reviews over a short period, followed by large periods with little to no reviews, can be a big red flag.

Finally, look for consistent themes. If multiple reviewers highlight the same positive aspects – professionalism, speed, thorough cleanup – those are likely true strengths.

3. Respectful Responses to Negative Reviews

Even the best contractors can’t please everyone, and a few negative reviews are normal. What truly matters is how a contractor handles criticism.

When you encounter a negative review, look for professional and respectful responses. A contractor that gets defensive or attempts to publicly shift blame may lack accountability or customer service.

4. Photo Reviews

Many review platforms allow customers to upload photos of the completed work. These pictures can be incredibly helpful in determining which reviews are from real customers. They can also provide visual clues to assess the contractor’s work. For example, you can often see a clean environment around the new roof, which shows that the contractor values cleanliness.

Your Action Plan: Using Reviews to Your Advantage

With the “green flags” and “red flags” we have already covered, you are better prepared to analyze a roofer’s reviews. As you compare potential partners, consider the following roadmap to get the most from their reviews.

Cast a Wide Net. Start by researching several roofing contractors in your area on various platforms like Google, Yelp, and BBB.
Zoom In on Helpful Reviews. Use the “filter” and “sort” options to search for recent reviews, reviews that mention your specific type of project, and reviews with photos.
Read More Than A Few Reviews. Skim as many reviews as you can, looking for recurring themes. Pay extra attention to the one-star and two-star reviews to understand potential pain points. Ignore any reviews that contain personal attacks or unrelated topics.
Cross-Reference Information. If a review mentions a specific issue, see if other reviews corroborate it or if the contractor addressed it.
Look for Local Expertise. If you are in an area with uncommon weather patterns – like the potential for strong storms – look for reviews that mention these factors to gauge a contractor’s familiarity with local issues.
Trust Your Gut (After Research). While reviews are invaluable, they are just one piece of the puzzle. If something feels off, even with good reviews, continue your research or seek other quotes.

Your roof protects your home, and the right contractor protects your peace of mind. By becoming a savvy consumer of online reviews, you can feel confident in your choice of roofing contractor.

At Complete Roofing, Our Reviews Speak for Themselves

If you’re looking for a roofer on the Gulf Coast, Complete Roofing is here for you. Our star rating and detailed reviews from happy customers showcase our ability to solve problems for clients and our attention to detail.

Check out our reviews on Google and contact your local roofing expert for a no-cost inspection today!