How To Choose A Roofing Contractor – Everything You Need to Know?
Maybe you have noticed a couple of missing shingles, or worse yet, your roof started leaking suddenly. After 30 years, every house needs a new roof, and it’s time to call a roofing contractor. You might have looked for possible solutions online, but there is no other way than to hire a professional that will fix your roof.
However, a typical Google search will provide you with dozens of roofers and companies with fancy websites. But, how do you know which one is good, without previously hiring their services? Well, we have a couple of things that will help you unravel this mystery.
How to find a good roofer?
Roofing contractors must meet specific rules and abide by local and government laws. Therefore, it would be a good idea to check your country’s roofer directories and qualifications before hiring a contractor.
Great contractors have:
- Experience
- License to work in your area
- Insurance
- Previous work
- Willingness to offer references
- Willingness to write an estimate
Now, let’s break down these qualifications and explain each one of them in detail.
Experience
You probably won’t hire a roof repair contractor who’s been in business for a couple of months. Unfortunately, many homeowners let price determine their choice, and like most things in life, you get what you paid for.
For instance, if you choose a contractor that gives you “too good to be true” price and can’t provide you with a list of happy customers, you will probably end up with a lousy installed roof. Also, keep in mind it’s challenging to collect a judgment against a roofer who simply closes the door after a lawsuit.
You will also meet those fly-by-night contractors who are known for disappearing to avoid paying damage, only to reopen their business under a different name. Therefore, don’t become a victim and choose a company or a professional who has decades in the roofing business and a solid reputation.
License and insurance
Roofing is dangerous work, and it’s never recommended for inexperienced people. When performing a job, it’s necessary to have the right tools, safety equipment, and materials. On top of all, experience plays a crucial role. Reputable roof contractors hold the necessary licenses and permits for every project they perform.
We shouldn’t forget about insurance, which will cover the damage if someone gets hurt during roof installation. As a homeowner, you shouldn’t work with a contractor who can’t provide you with proof of proper insurance for its employees.
Inspect previous work
For the majority of businesses that provide services, reputation is the key. While you can find reviews online, you can ask the contractor to deliver you the list of happy customers for the sake of mind.
Moreover, be wary of roofers who only have five-star reviews. While this might sound great, in reality, they’ve probably fabricated their reviews to look good on the paper. Any company that performs hundreds of roof installations or repairs will have a certain number of less favorable reviews.
Get everything in writing
Every aspect of your roof installation process should be done in writing, but it’s particularly important to understand financing terms and conditions. Suppose you are working with a reputable company or a contractor. In that case, they will appoint a knowledgeable employee to walk you through this process, explain contact, and answer any questions you may have.
No part of this agreement should be left unexplained or up in the air.
What happens if you aren’t satisfied with the results?
Regardless of how carefully you plan everything, sometimes, things won’t go exactly as planned. Therefore, if an error occurs, how will the contractor handle it? This is an important part of your negotiation process and something you should know.
Will you spend hours on the phone trying to find the solution? Will the roofing contractor take your money and run away? Will you be compensated for the damage? All these things require detailed planning. That’s why it’s imperative to work with a company or a roofing contractor who provides a warranty, and if you aren’t satisfied with work, they guarantee they will make it right.
We hope these