How to Find & Hire Roofing Subcontractors: A Practical Guide

What Are Roofing Subcontractors?

Roofing subcontractors are independent professionals who partner with roofing companies to handle specific roofing jobs on a contract basis. 

Unlike full-time employees who are generally tied to a single business, subcontractors are free to take on projects with multiple clients. This affords subcontractors high flexibility and specialized expertise, making them invaluable industry assets.

These subcontractors often focus on installing roofing systems, working with advanced or proprietary materials, or taking on detailed roof repairs. 

Their ability to adapt well to various needs makes them as effective on residential roofing projects as on large-scale commercial roofing projects. 

For insurance, a subcontractor could spend one day repairing a room in a family home and the next installing a specialized roofing design on an industrial job site.

Why Might Roofers Work with Subcontractors?

For many roofing companies, subcontracting is a smart way to manage multiple projects effectively while remaining flexible. 

One of the biggest advantages of using subcontractors is getting extra help when needed without the long-term costs and commitments of hiring full-time team members. 

This is especially handy during peak seasons when demand for roofing services surges, as it ensures you can handle the extra work without overwhelming your core team.

Another major advantage is access to specialized expertise, especially in proprietary roofing technology. Subcontractors often have skills in niche areas like gutter installation, working with specific types of roofing, or handling advanced roofing materials like TPO. Their knowledge not only guarantees quality work but can also help your business meet deadlines faster when your in-house crew is fully booked.

Subcontractors also help roofing businesses scale strategically. For example, suppose you want to grow your roofing business but aren’t yet able to hire more full-time team members. In that case, subcontracting can bridge that gap and allow you to expand operations while still maintaining quality work. 

Next, we’ll look at some downsides of subcontracting and how to handle them.

What Are the Potential Challenges of Working with Roofing Subcontractors?

While subcontracting has many benefits, roofing companies can typically encounter a few challenges when working with subcontractors. Understanding and anticipating these can help maintain high standards and keep operations running well at every job site.

• Varying quality levels: Not all subcontractors deliver the same level of workmanship. Without a searchable track record, there’s always a risk that final results won’t meet your business's and your customers' expectations.

• Warranty concerns: All subcontracted work should be covered by a warranty. This can feel like an added hassle, especially if responsibilities are unclear.

• Limited accountability: For a general contractor, subcontractors can feel harder to oversee as they’re not part of the permanent team.

• Resentment from permanent staff: Your permanent staff may resent that subcontractors are being paid a higher wage for the same job. This is generally due to misunderstandings about contractor vs. full-time employee benefits.

• Job site coordination: Subcontractors may not always align well with your team’s workflows and culture. If not managed properly, this can create inefficiencies.

Roofing businesses should address these concerns before deciding on a subcontractor. Set clear expectations, ensure everyone has the proper insurance, and prepare your payroll for the onboarding of external contractors. 

How to Find Roofing Subcontractors

Finding dependable roofing subcontractors combines strategy, networking, and targeted outreach. Exploring even a few avenues can connect you with the right professionals.

Here are some proven methods to help find your perfect subcontractor match.

Job boards

Post your requirements on platforms like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or Craigslist to reach a broad pool of subcontractors. These sites are most valuable when timelines are tight, and you need to hire extra hands at the last minute. Ensure your job posting clearly describes the roofing project details and includes a phone number to reach you quickly.

Local unions and trade associations

Organizations like the National Roofing Contractors Association are excellent resources. They can connect you with experienced subcontractors skilled in specific tasks. Trade associations' members tend to adhere to high industry standards, offering strong credibility.

Social media platforms

It may seem like an unlikely place to find subcontractors, but networking on LinkedIn, Facebook, or even Instagram can help contractors find talented professionals. Local contractor groups and industry communities are great places to start looking—you might even be able to view examples of their work.

Industry-specific websites

Sites that cater specifically to tradespeople, like Trade Hounds, and roofer websites like Roofers Coffee Shop, provide a focused audience of roofing subcontractors. These platforms are beneficial for connecting with contractors who have experience with specific roofing materials, historic buildings, and niche skills.

Construction networking events

Trade shows, expos, and local meetups are ideal places to come face-to-face with subcontractors available in your service area. These events tend to attract a wide range of skilled professionals. Bring your business cards and details about your upcoming roofing projects to maximize these opportunities. 

Contractor-matching platforms

Websites like Angi and HomeAdvisor can narrow down your search process. These platforms match homeowners and contractors with subcontractors based on specific needs such as expertise, manufacturer installations, and handling warranty requirements. If HomeAdvisor isn’t working out for you, several alternatives offer the same service.

Suppliers and distributors

Your roofing material supplier works closely with not only your construction inventory but also with other roofing professionals. This puts suppliers firmly in the ‘goldmine’ category when finding subcontractors. These companies can recommend trusted subcontractors they have seen in action. This also gives you insight into the subcontractors’ familiarity with the roofing materials you will likely use.

Referrals and word of mouth

Reach out to other contractors or homeowners who have previously worked with the subcontractor to get the lowdown straight from the horse’s mouth. Hearing firsthand about someone's reliability and skills is one of the best ways to find a good fit.

Apprenticeship and vocational schools

Trade schools and polytechnic colleges are also great sources of new but eager subcontractors. Partnering with these educational institutions meets your immediate needs and lets you run an eye over the next generation of talent in the industry—talent that you may one day want on your permanent staff. 

Classified ads in local newspapers

For old-school businesses or those in smaller towns, a traditional placement of a classified advertisement in a newspaper is still a perfectly good way to attract local subcontractors. Include information like the type of project, expected timelines, and contact details.

Once you have found your perfect subcontractor, the next step is hiring and managing them, which we cover in the next section.

Hiring Roofing Subcontractors Best Practices

Bringing a subcontractor onto your team means finding someone to fill a role and introducing a reliable partner who will uphold your roofing company’s reputation and high standards.

Here are some key steps to ensure you make informed and confident hiring decisions. 

Check their work history

Start by digging into their work history to understand if their experience, reliability, and ability to deliver quality work match what they claim they can do. You need to ask:

• How long have they been in the roofing industry?

• Do they have a consistent positive track record with other contractors and homeowners?

• Are they proven to work well with teams or better suited to independent tasks?

Ask previous employers for references and watch for red flags. For subcontractors who are newer to the field, ask about their training, educational background, and commitment to learning. 

Set clear expectations

Laying everything out upfront means you avoid delays and misunderstandings. Key areas to discuss ahead of any agreements include:

• Payment terms, including rates and timelines.

• Project milestones and deadlines.

• Specific responsibilities, from handling roofing materials to cleaning up the job site afterward.

When everyone is on the same page, the relationship is better, and you’re more likely to get better results.

Conduct a background check

Protecting your company’s reputation means vetting any subcontractors thoroughly and responsibly. Here’s what to include in the process:

• Driving records: Particularly important if they will be transporting equipment or supplies, especially if they’re in a truck with your name on the side.

• Criminal history: Check local, state, and federal records to ensure a subcontractor is trustworthy.

• Drug screening: Important for maintaining safety on any site and particularly crucial for staying compliant with commercial and industrial job-site policies.

• Licenses and certifications: Confirm they are qualified for the specific service they will be providing.

Be transparent about any checks to avoid awkwardness or embarrassment and follow all state regulations.

Make sure they are insured

A subcontractor’s insurance is your safety net. Any roofing subcontractor you hire should carry the proper insurance to protect against potential risks. Confirm they have:

Liability insurance: Covers damage that the project has caused.

Workers’ compensation insurance: Protects against any injuries sustained while on the job.

Always verify their insurance documents for peace of mind and to ensure everything is current and accurate.

Have a subcontractor agreement

A formal subcontractor agreement protects both parties (contractor and subcontractor). This document, signed by both parties, sets clear expectations and formalizes the contract. Ensure this agreement contains:

• Scope of work: A detailed description of all tasks, milestones, and deadlines.

• Payment terms: Specifying the amounts and payment schedules and methods.

• Insurance and licensing guarantees: Proof the subcontractor meets all legal requirements.

• Hold harmless clauses: Ensure liability for their work stays with the subcontractor and not with your roof business.

We strongly recommend that an attorney review the agreement before anyone signs, to ensure it’s airtight. 

How ServiceTitan Can Help You Grow Your Roofing Company

Finding the right skilled labor for your roofing business is only half the battle. You also need to keep your operations running smoothly, provide exceptional customer service, manage your tasks and inventory, and generate more leads. 

It’s quite a feat, and ServiceTitan can help you achieve it all with our all-in-one software solution for roofers. With ServiceTitan, your business can stay on top of its roofing projects, ensuring they stay on schedule and within budget.

Want to close deals faster and impress customers? ServiceTitan lets you create professional, personalized proposals and quotes with easy-to-use templates.

It even simplifies inventory management with materials cost tracking and automated purchasing via its Contractor Inventory Management feature, so you can avoid any project delays. And its seamless integration with popular accounting platforms means you can keep your financials perfectly aligned with field operations.

Managing subcontractors becomes much simpler with ServiceTitan’s contractor timesheet tools, which provide real-time tracking and profiles for your technicians and outsourced contractors. 

The GPS-powered time tracking ensures that recorded labor hours accurately reflect actual time spent on job sites, making it easier for roofing businesses to audit work hours for payroll and billing.

By mapping precise labor cost data within ServiceTitan, contractors can see job costs clearly and streamline payroll processing.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of ServiceTitan’s features. Tools like technician tracking and client portals ensure homeowners get a personalized experience every time, making your services stand out.

For roofing businesses looking to grow, the ServiceTitan Marketing Pro feature gives them the tools to strengthen customer relationships and generate more leads.

You can turn your existing customer data into a powerful marketing engine with targeted email campaigns and automated follow-ups. 

To manage online reputation, ServiceTitan’s Reputation Management feature makes it easy to build trust and attract new clients. Automated review requests that emulate your brand's tone of voice help generate and showcase positive feedback. At the same time, a centralized platform lets you manage advertisements from multiple sources and keep listings consistent across multiple sites.

ServiceTitan is an all-in-one solution that’s made for home services, by developers who know the trades. Its powerful tools simplify operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and help your roofing business achieve long-term growth and profitability. Ready to learn how ServiceTitan can make a difference? Visit our Software for Roofers page to find out more.