Best Wilmington Roofers: Verified Reviews and References

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If you live in Wilmington, you don’t need a weather app to tell you when the roof will be tested. You feel the southeast wind pick up before a summer squall, you hear oak branches tap the shingles after a nor’easter, and you notice the telltale grit from granules washing into the gutters. A roof here is more than a cap on the house. It’s a system that contends with Atlantic moisture, sun that bakes, and salt air that chews away at metal fasteners. The right roofer knows that, and you can hear the difference in how they talk about a ridge vent or a flashing detail. The challenge is sorting the talkers from the doers.

What follows is a practical guide to identifying the best Wilmington roofers using verified reviews and references, paired with hard-won insight from years of working with homeowners, walking roofs, and troubleshooting leaks that shouldn’t have happened. I’ll cover what to look for in roofing contractors, how to interpret ratings without getting fooled by marketing, why warranty language matters, and when a “roofers near me” search helps versus when it misleads. You’ll also find specific ways to check references that actually tell you something, not just confirm the company has a phone number.

The stakes for Wilmington homes

Coastal North Carolina mixes humidity, wind, and heat in a way that stresses materials faster than inland markets. Asphalt shingles soften in July, then suffer wind-lift in September. Metal roofs last, but only if installed with the right clip spacing and sealant. Flat roofs on commercial buildings collect pooling water that bakes into blisters unless the slope and drains are right. Even a minor installation shortcut, like skimping on ice and water shield around roof penetrations, shows up as staining on the ceiling after a single tropical storm.

When the stakes are this high, the best Wilmington roofers tend to have common traits. They document their work. They specify brands and profiles by name. They push back if you ask for something that won’t meet code or history shows will fail in our climate. And they have a trail of customers who would let you come look at the roof in person if you asked nicely.

What “best” really means here

Five stars looks clean on a screen, but houses don’t live on screens. I’ve inspected roofs with perfect online ratings that failed basic details like step flashing, and I’ve worked with steady, unflashy crews that rarely ask for reviews yet deliver excellent work. The phrase best Wilmington roofers should include these practical, verifiable markers:

  • A portfolio of local addresses you can drive by, with permission to view from the sidewalk, so you can see ridge lines, drip edge, and flashing details firsthand.
  • Permits pulled under their name for recent jobs, which you can confirm with the city or county portal.
  • Manufacturer credentials that actually matter, not just a logo on the truck. For asphalt, that often means CertainTeed ShingleMaster or GAF Master Elite, which ties into extended warranties and requires ongoing training.
  • A clear project scope that includes underlayment type, ventilation plan, flashing replacement (not reuse), and disposal plan, with line-item pricing that matches the scope.

Notice the missing item: not just a review score. A review score is a starting point, not a verdict.

The anatomy of a verified review

Wilmington homeowners leave thousands of reviews across Google, Nextdoor, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau. Some are enthusiastic, some suspiciously generic. You can gather quick signal by looking past the stars and into the details.

A credible review mentions specific things: how the crew handled rotten decking once they opened the roof, how the site was left clean after a windy day, how the contractor responded when a vent cap came loose two weeks after the job. Look for date ranges. If a company has a burst of five-star reviews clustered over a few days with little text beyond “Great job,” that smells like a push for feedback rather than an organic trail of performance.

Pay special attention to reviews that reflect what your house might face. If your roof is a low-slope with a transition to a steeper rear section, search reviews for “transition,” “cricket,” or “valley.” If you’re considering metal, see whether reviewers mention the profile and metal thickness, such as 24-gauge standing seam with mechanically seamed panels. Look for reviewers who mention Wilmington-specific weather impacts: wind uplift after Ian, hail in a particular zip code, or salt spray issues near the water.

When you read a negative review, watch for the contractor’s response. The best roofing contractors don’t argue. They say what they did to make it right and offer a timeline. A thoughtful response that proposes a site visit and references the warranty often tells you more than the complaint itself.

Trust Roofing & Restoration

  • 109 Hinton Ave Ste 9, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA

  • (910) 538-5353

Trust Roofing & Restoration is a GAF Certified Contractor (top 6% nationwide) serving Wilmington, NC and the Cape Fear Region. Specializing in storm damage restoration, roof replacement, and metal roofing for New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender County homeowners. Call Wilmington's best roofer 910-538-5353

How to request references that aren’t cherry-picked

Every roofer can produce two or three happy clients. Your goal is to widen the sample. Ask for references grouped by:

  • Roof type and material, like three-tab asphalt replacement, architectural shingles with solar vents, TPO for a flat roof, or 24-gauge standing seam metal.
  • Neighborhood or ZIP code, because wind exposure and HOA rules vary across Wilmington.
  • Age of job, ideally one from last month, one from a year ago, and one from three to five years back.

Then make the calls. Ask simple, specific questions: Did the final invoice match the proposal? How often did the owner or project manager stop by? What happened when the crew found rotten decking? Did they reuse any flashing, or was it replaced? Was the magnet sweep thorough enough that pets never picked up a nail in the yard?

If a contractor hesitates to share older references, that’s worth probing. Roofs look great on day one. The question is year three.

Permits, licenses, and the insurance folder no one wants to read

North Carolina does not require a state roofing license the way some states do, but general contractors need a license for larger projects, and local jurisdictions require permits for most roof replacements. In Wilmington and surrounding New Hanover County, you can confirm whether a permit was pulled and closed. The best roofers keep that trail clean. They will also carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance and have no issue sending certificates that name you as the certificate holder.

If you are talking to roofers near me who propose “no permit needed,” walk away. That’s often code for re-covering shingles without addressing flashing or ventilation, which voids many manufacturer warranties and can jeopardize resale.

Warranties that mean something

A roof warranty has two layers: the manufacturer’s material warranty and the installer’s workmanship warranty. Here’s where credentials tie in. Manufacturers offer tiered warranties that extend coverage if a certified installer handles the job and the system includes specified components. For example, a “system plus” warranty might require matching underlayment, starter strips, and ridge caps from the same manufacturer, plus a certified contractor. In exchange, the material warranty extends from a pro-rated 10 to 15 years to 25 years or more, sometimes with limited lifetime language.

Workmanship warranties, often two to ten years, cover the installation details that lead to leaks. The best Wilmington roofers put that in writing in clear language. They specify what the warranty covers, how you schedule a claim, and under what conditions it is voided. Some will include a post-storm inspection once a year at no cost, which is especially valuable here given our storm cycles.

What a good proposal looks like

Proposals tell you how a contractor thinks. A two-line bid that lists “tear-off and replace roof” and a price leaves too much room for disagreement. Strong proposals include brand and product line for shingles or metal panels, underlayment specification, ice and water shield placement, drip edge style and color, flashing replacement, venting solution, number of pipe boots and type, disposal, magnet sweep, and an approximate project timeline. If it’s a flat roof, you should see the membrane type (TPO, EPDM, PVC), thickness, color, insulation details, fastener pattern, and how they handle transitions and penetrations.

One summer, I reviewed three bids for a bungalow near Greenfield Lake with a tricky valley over an addition. Two bids were nearly identical in price. The third was 15 percent higher but called out a pre-formed metal valley with ice and water shield extending 24 inches on each side, along with a cricket behind the chimney. That homeowner chose the higher bid, and during a tropical storm that fall, the valley held while a neighbor’s less detailed job leaked. The difference wasn’t the shingle brand. It was the logic in the scope.

Reading between the lines of pricing

Roofers price per square, a square being 100 square feet. Architectural shingles across Wilmington currently range widely depending on market conditions and complexity, often in the ballpark of 350 to 600 dollars per square for tear-off and replacement, including standard flashing. Metal can run two to four times that, depending on profile and shop labor. Flat systems vary even more, based on insulation and deck condition.

Low bids deserve scrutiny. Ask how they plan to handle decking replacement if they find rot. Many contracts include a per-sheet price for replacing rotten plywood. If that line is missing, the low number may assume no rot, then hit you later with change orders. Also clarify whether they reuse or replace flashings. Reusing step flashing might save a few hundred dollars, but in Wilmington’s climate, it’s false economy.

Vetting “roofers near me” searches

Local intent can help, but it can also flood you with ads and lead aggregators that sell your contact info. A practical approach is to use the initial search to build a shortlist, then layer on context:

  • Check whether the company lists a physical address and a local landline. Mobile numbers are common, but a brick-and-mortar shop often signals a stable operation with inventory and sheet metal capabilities.
  • Confirm the service radius. A crew based 90 minutes away may staff locally during a storm rush, then disappear once demand slows.
  • Search for the owner’s name plus “Wilmington roofing” and see if the trail extends beyond their website. Even a few mentions in neighborhood Facebook groups with photos can be helpful if they predate your inquiry by months or years.

The phrase best Wilmington roofers tends to float to the top of ad copy, but genuine signals come from public records, references, and specificity.

Materials that handle our climate

The material conversation in Wilmington deserves time. Architectural asphalt shingles remain the most common choice for pitched roofs. Within that category, shingles with higher wind ratings and reinforced nailing zones show their value when tropical storms roll through. Some brands now test to 130 mph when installed with six nails per shingle and matching starter strips at eaves and rakes. That detail matters. Ask your contractor exactly how many nails per shingle they use and whether they follow the manufacturer’s starter strip requirement. A five-star rating means less if the crew trims stick-on starter from an off-brand roll that voids the wind warranty.

Metal roofing is growing in popularity for coastal durability. Standing seam, especially mechanically seamed panels, offers excellent wind resistance and sheds rain fast. Galvalume works well away from salt spray, while aluminum is preferred closer to the coast to reduce corrosion. Hidden clip systems need correct spacing to allow expansion and contraction. I’ve seen oil canning in panels when that spacing is ignored, and while it’s mostly cosmetic, it frustrates homeowners who paid for clean lines.

Flat roofs on commercial buildings and some mid-century homes require special attention to slope. TPO and PVC membranes handle ponding better than old built-up roofs, but the installers must ensure proper drains and crickets to move water. Look for tapered insulation plans in the proposal. A flat roof without a slope roofers wilmington nc plan is waiting for trouble.

Ventilation and why it’s not optional

Poor ventilation cooks shingles from the underside and raises attic humidity that leads to mold and rot. In our climate, ridge vents paired with continuous soffit intake are the standard for most pitched roofs. Gable vents can disrupt airflow if used with ridge vents. Good contractors measure net free area, not just toss a vent on a ridge and call it done. They might add baffles in the attic to keep insulation from blocking soffit vents. If you hear a roofer dismiss ventilation as a “nice to have,” keep looking.

Specific note for Wilmington’s many older homes: closed soffits or painted-shut vents make proper ventilation tricky. An experienced contractor will offer solutions such as adding smart vents along the roof plane or retrofitting soffit intake. It’s not as flashy as a shingle brand, but it buys years of roof life.

Augusta Street case: the power of a good reference

A couple on Augusta Street called after two leaks opened up around a chimney and a skylight. They had three quotes, all within 2,000 dollars of each other for a 24-square roof. We requested references and asked for one job with a chimney and skylight, completed at least a year prior. Only one roofer provided it. The reference mentioned that the crew built a cricket behind the chimney and replaced the skylight instead of flashing around the old one. That job had sailed through a year of storms.

We visited that reference roof, just a ten-minute drive, and saw crisp counterflashing and sealed skylight curbs. That convinced the homeowners more than any paragraph in a brochure. Their roof, completed last spring, has stayed dry through two tropical storms. Sometimes best translates to the simplest evidence: a similar job that still looks right after a full weather cycle.

How to compare two strong finalists

There are times when both options are solid and you need a tie-breaker. Focus on schedule reliability, site management, and owner involvement. Ask how they stage materials, what hours the crew keeps, who approves change orders, and how quickly they can respond to a post-installation issue. Ask to see a sample of their daily photo documentation. Many of the best roofing contractors now provide a photo set of underlayment, flashing installation, and final inspections. Those photos are invaluable if a future home buyer asks for proof of how the roof was built.

Pay attention to small answers. If you mention pets and they immediately outline how they fence off the yard or conduct a double magnet sweep, that’s a company that listens. If they brush past your questions and promise “we do it all the time,” you’ve learned something too.

A practical one-minute review checklist

Use this when you’re staring at two or three proposals and a dozen tabs of reviews. It is brief by design.

  • Do verified reviews mention a specific, timely fix when something went wrong, not just praise when all went right?
  • Does the proposal specify underlayment, flashing replacement, venting plan, and brand lines, not just “lifetime shingle” language?
  • Can the roofer provide three references: one recent, one about a year old, one three to five years old, preferably within your part of Wilmington?
  • Are permits and insurance documents easy to verify, and will they list you as certificate holder?
  • Does the warranty spell out workmanship coverage and a clear process for claims?

If you can answer yes across this list, you’re likely looking at one of the best Wilmington roofers, regardless of who ranks first in a “roofers Wilmington 5-star” search.

Storm season realities and the difference between routine and rush

After a named storm, the market changes overnight. Good companies book out and out-of-town roofers flood in. Some of those outside crews are competent, but their warranties may be hard to enforce once they leave. If you’re reading this in blue-tarp season, protect yourself with a temporary repair from a reputable local company, then breathe. A well-done temporary dry-in with proper patching buys time for a measured replacement rather than a rushed job you’ll regret.

Ask whether the company handles emergency triage differently from full replacements. A mature operation will have a dedicated crew for tarps and small repairs so their replacement teams aren’t cannibalized. That structure keeps promises realistic and quality steady.

Insurance claims without the headaches

Hurricane and hail claims can turn a roof into paperwork. A reputable contractor does not ask you to sign your claim rights away. They will document damage, provide a detailed scope that matches adjuster language where appropriate, meet the adjuster on site if needed, and keep their price tied to the scope rather than chasing the claim total. Beware a promise to “cover your deductible.” It’s often a red flag, and in many cases, it violates insurance policy terms.

Real-world tip: ask your roofer to provide a supplement package for the insurer that includes photos of hidden damage, code-required upgrades such as drip edge if missing, and manufacturer-required components for the warranty you select. That package often smooths the claim and justifies the correct scope without theatrics.

Communication habits as a predictor of quality

Roofing is construction, which means surprises. Decking can be worse than expected. Hidden flashings can be welded into stucco. Good roofers minimize surprises by investigating upfront with attic inspections, drone photos, or test lifts of shingles near trouble spots. Then they share the risks with you in clear terms. If a contractor glosses over risk at the proposal stage, expect budget friction later.

You should know exactly who to contact at any point in the job. The best teams give you the project manager’s name and mobile, outline daily start and stop times, and send you a quick text when weather delays work. In Wilmington, pop-up showers are common, so pausing during a tear-off is right if the radar turns ugly. The key is that they tell you, not leave you guessing.

Why crew experience matters more than truck branding

Some roofing companies share labor across multiple outfits, especially during busy times. That’s not inherently bad. What matters is how the installer controls training and supervision. A seasoned foreman who has built roofs here for a decade knows what wind does to a valley and how salt air eats cheap fasteners. Ask who will be on site, how long they’ve worked with the company, and how many roofs like yours they’ve completed. A company that rotates foremen weekly or can’t name your crew leader may struggle with consistency.

I’ve seen modest shops outclass bigger brands because their lead installer treats each job like a calling card. The finished roof looks better, and more importantly, the hidden layers are correct. That’s where leaks begin or don’t.

The quiet signals of craftsmanship during tear-off

If you’re home during the job, a few observations can tell you if you hired well. When decking is exposed, do they check for nail pops and replace questionable sheets rather than pounding nails sideways? Do they run underlayment clean and flat, with overlaps per manufacturer spec, not just eye-balled? At valleys, do they lay ice and water shield wide and then form metal cleanly, or do they piece together scraps? At penetrations, do they replace pipe boots and reflash vents, not caulk over old parts? Caulk is a temporary helper, not a fix. Good crews know where to use it and where to replace materials.

Cleanup is another sign. Nails in the grass find tires and paws. Strong crews run magnets more than once, check beds and side yards, and walk the site with you. If they pressure wash the driveway to clear shingle dust, that’s a sign they think about your whole property, not just the roof line.

When a small repair beats a full replacement

Not every issue means a new roof. If your shingles still have life and a leak appears during a wind event, the fix might be targeted: replacing a section of step flashing along a dormer, reseating a loose ridge cap, or reworking a poorly installed skylight curb. Honest contractors offer repair options when they make sense and explain the remaining life of the roof with ranges, not fear. You can always choose replacement for peace of mind, but it’s helpful to hear a credible repair plan from someone who isn’t allergic to small jobs.

I’ve kept several roofs going for two to three more years with selective flashing repairs and improved ventilation, saving owners thousands and giving them time to plan a proper replacement rather than scrambling.

Final thoughts before you sign

A roof in Wilmington lives a tougher life than most. That’s why verified reviews and real references matter. Your aim isn’t to find a marketing champion. It’s to find a team that documents their work, respects the physics of water and wind, and stays reachable after the check clears. The best Wilmington roofers tend to look similar on paper, but they separate themselves in the details of their proposals, the candor of their references, and the steadiness of their communication.

If you’re at the short list stage, trust the process you’ve built. Call the older reference. Drive past a completed job and look at the lines. Ask one last question about how they handle unexpected rot or a surprise storm mid tear-off. Then choose the company that answers plainly and precisely. Reviews get them to your door. References and your own eyes seal the deal.

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