Have you been researching roofing companies and noticed that many claim decades of experience, while others have been in business for just a few years? And are you wondering whether a newer company can deliver the same quality, reliability, and warranty protection as one that’s been around for 20+ years?
The reality is, years in business matter, but not for the reasons most people think. You can absolutely trust a roofing company with less than 20 years in business if you know what to look for. The key isn’t how long they’ve been operating; it’s whether they have the right credentials, experience, insurance, references, and commitment to quality workmanship.
At Hoel Roofing, we’ve been serving Indiana for over nine years. We’re not a 20-year-old company, yet we’ve completed over 3,000 roofing projects, earned 470+ five-star Google reviews, and maintain certifications from Owens Corning and Malarkey. We’re proof that newer companies can deliver exceptional results when they prioritize the right things.
This article breaks down what really matters when choosing a roofing contractor, why years in business can be misleading, and what questions to ask to separate trustworthy companies from fly-by-night operators, regardless of how long they’ve been around.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to evaluate any roofing company and make a confident decision based on facts, not just how long they’ve had a business license.
Let’s start with the stat everyone quotes: 80% of roofing companies fail within the first two years, and 96% fail within five years.
That sounds terrifying. It suggests you should only hire companies that have survived 10, 15, or 20+ years because they’ve proven their staying power.
But here’s what those numbers don’t tell you:
A business can be brand new on paper, while the owner and team members may have 15+ years of roofing experience working for other companies.
An experienced roofer might work for a large company for a decade, then start their own business to have more control over quality, customer service, and pricing. On day one, their company is technically brand new, but the owner has more hands-on roofing experience than many 20-year-old companies whose original founders retired years ago. At Hoel Roofing, our team has decades of combined roofing experience, even though our company has been operating for nine years.
What matters more than the company’s age:
Bottom line: A business can be brand new on paper, while the owner and team members may have years of roofing experience working for other companies.
Just because a company has been around for 20 years doesn’t mean they’re good at what they do.
Some companies survive by:
Meanwhile, newer companies often succeed by:
Bottom line: A company can stick around for decades and still do mediocre work. Conversely, a five-year-old company with 200 five-star reviews likely delivers better results than a 25-year-old company with complaints and bad referrals.
Roofing materials, installation methods, and manufacturer requirements have evolved significantly in the past 10 to 15 years.
Modern roofing companies:
Bottom line: Some older companies still use outdated methods or haven’t invested in training on new products. A newer company with current certifications may actually be more qualified to install today’s roofing systems.
After 20+ years, some companies become complacent:
Newer companies are hungry. They’re building their reputation one roof at a time, which often means:
Bottom line: Years in business is one factor to consider, but it’s far from the only or even the most important indicator of trustworthiness.
Instead of fixating on how long a company has been operating, focus on these factors:
Ask: “How many years have you personally been in the roofing industry?”
A company that’s three years old with an owner who has 12 years of roofing experience is more qualified than a 10-year-old company with high employee turnover.
Also ask:
Red flag: Vague answers or constantly changing crews.
This is huge and often overlooked.
Major shingle manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, Malarkey, CertainTeed) offer certification programs that require contractors to:
Certified contractors can offer:
At Hoel Roofing, we’re Owens Corning Preferred Contractors and Malarkey Certified Installers, which means we’ve met strict requirements and can offer warranties that non-certified companies can’t.
Ask any roofing company: “What manufacturer certifications do you hold?”
Red flag: No certifications or vague answers.
Non-negotiable requirements:
Without general liability, you could be held responsible if the contractor damages your property. Always ask to see current certificates of insurance. Verify them by calling the insurance company directly.
Red flag: Reluctance to provide insurance certificates or expired policies.
Online reviews matter more than years in business.
A five-year-old company with 200+ five-star reviews and detailed feedback about quality, communication, and follow-through is more trustworthy than a 20-year-old company with mediocre ratings.
What to check:
Ask: “Can you provide three references from projects completed in the past year?”
Drive by those addresses to see the quality of work firsthand.
Red flag: No online presence, refusal to provide references, or mostly negative reviews.
If it’s not in writing, it’s not guaranteed. Every legitimate roofing company provides:
What should be in your contract:
Red flag: Pressure to sign immediately, vague estimates, or refusal to provide written contracts.
Storm chasers are a real problem in the roofing industry.
After major storms, out-of-state companies flood affected areas, offer lowball estimates, do shoddy work, and disappear before issues surface.
What to verify:
A company with deep local roots has a reputation to protect. They can’t just vanish when problems arise.
At Hoel Roofing, we have an office in Indiana and have been serving East Central Indiana for nine years. We’re not going anywhere.
Red flag: Out-of-state license plates, no local address, or claims of being “in the area for storm damage.”
Two types of warranties:
What to ask:
Certified contractors often offer extended warranties backed by the manufacturer, which protects you even if the company goes out of business.
Red flag: No workmanship warranty or extremely short coverage (1 to 2 years).
Watch out for these warning signs, whether the company is 2 years old or 20:
If you see multiple red flags, walk away, no matter how long the company has been in business.
What we have:
Years in business are just one factor in choosing a roofing contractor. What truly matters is experience, certifications, insurance, references, and a proven track record of quality work.
If you’ve been hesitant to hire a newer roofing company, you’re right to be cautious, but you shouldn’t automatically disqualify them based solely on age.
Your next step is to evaluate roofing companies based on what really matters: credentials, reviews, warranties, and transparency, not just how long they’ve had a business license.Check out our article Who Are the Best Roofing Companies in Indiana?
At Hoel Roofing, we’ve earned the trust of thousands of Indiana homeowners over nine years by delivering exceptional quality, honest communication, and manufacturer-backed warranties. We’re not the oldest roofing company, but we’re one of the most qualified, most reviewed, and most committed to doing roofing right. Call us at (765) 561-4023 or fill out this form to schedule your free inspection.
Toyosi Ogunsola is the Content Manager at Hoel Roofing & Remodeling in Rushville, IN, where she oversees the creation of educational, trustworthy content about roofing, remodeling, and home improvement. With a master’s degree in Emerging Media Design and Development and a background spanning content strategy, UX research, and digital marketing, Toyosi combines data-driven insights with clear, engaging writing to help homeowners make informed decisions. Passionate about translating complex roofing topics into helpful resources, she works closely with Hoel’s team of roofing experts to ensure every piece of content is accurate, practical, and user-focused.
