You may think that getting a roofer to come out and give you a quote on your roof is as easy as posting it on Craigslist, but you’ll quickly find out that it’s not so simple. Hiring the right roofing tradesman for roofing installation can take time and effort, and finding an honest one is also challenging.
With so many shady roofing contractors, knowing what to look for when selecting the right tradesperson is essential when choosing someone to work on your home. To help you get started, we’ve outlined some helpful tips for finding the right roofing contractor.
Whether you need repairs on your old roof or a new cedar shake top, these tips will help you make the right decisions and hire a roof mechanic with a solid reputation and workers’ compensation.
Ask for Proof of Licensing and Insurance
When hiring a roofing company, ensure they are correctly licensed and insured for domestic roof construction. This insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that your contractor is legally allowed to do the work, and with the proper insurance coverage in place, should something go wrong, you’re not on the hook for the damages.
If the contractor refuses to show proof of licensing and a guarantee, it’s a huge red flag for your home improvement project. When selecting a roofing contractor, it’s in your best interest to avoid those who aren’t licensed and insured, as they may not have enough experience, general liability, and workers’ compensation to protect you in case of an accident or injury on the job site.
Research the Best Roofing Companies in Your Area
Before you hire a company for roofing installation, make sure to do a little research on their company. The best way to do this is to look them up online and see what other homeowners say about them. You can also ask friends and family if they’ve hired a roofing contractor and their experience.
This knowledge will give you an idea of what to expect from the contractor and if they’re trustworthy and experienced enough with domestic architecture to work on your home. Additionally, if the worker is a member of the Better Business Bureau, they will have general liability and experience to install your significant investment.
When searching for contractor reviews online, ensure to look at reviews from actual homeowners and customers and not someone who works for the contractor.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the Roofing Contractors Questions
One of the best ways to determine whether a contractor is trustworthy is to ask them questions. They should be open and honest with any homeowner about everything, and a good contractor won’t mind answering questions.
Suppose they seem dishonest or uncomfortable answering specific questions. That should be a red flag and a sign that you should keep searching for another contractor to do the installation job.
When hiring a contractor, you should ask how long you have been in business. How many employees do you have? What type of jobs is your specialty? Do you have insurance? Do you provide a warranty for your work? How do you set your prices? Do you accept credit cards?
Check the Roofing Materials
While you can’t fully trust a business to provide honest answers about its materials, you can use it to weed out the bad contractors from the good ones. If the contractor refuses to tell you what materials like asphalt shingles, tile, or metal, they’re using to build your new roof, or if they seem to change their story every time you ask, steer clear of them.
Always ensure you get a copy of their permits when hiring a contractor if they’re renovating your home. These permits will let you know what they’re using on your roof, and it’s something you can check with your local city to make sure it’s code compliant.
There may be future issues with your homeowner’s insurance if the contractor uses low-quality materials.
Look out for a Hidden Cost
When employing the best roofing company, watch for hidden expenses or extra services that the roofer didn’t include in the original price. Be wary of any contractor who offers a highly low-priced roof.
While you don’t want to hire the most expensive contractor, you want to ensure they’re not exploiting you by cheaply providing low-quality materials. Never sign an agreement with a roofing contractor until you’ve fully read through it and understand everything it states.
Summing Up
Check the roofing company for license and insurance when you’re hiring them. Ensure you understand the contract and ask questions if something needs clarification. Moreover, looking for honesty, reliability, and responsiveness would be best when changing your existing roof.
FAQ
How Do I Choose a Good Roofing Company?
When choosing a roofing contractor, paying attention to the contractor’s experience level is essential. Ideally, you want to hire a contractor with at least 3-5 years of experience working with roofs. Roofing is complicated, and you must ensure they have enough experience to tackle your job.
What Makes a Good Roofer?
When choosing a roofing contractor, look for the following qualities and traits: honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, responsiveness, and honesty.
It’s crucial to hire a trustworthy, reliable, and responsive contractor. You don’t want to employ a contractor who doesn’t return your calls, shows up late, or doesn’t appear.
What Should You Watch out for in a Good Roofing Contractor?
It would be best to look out for a few critical things in a roofing company to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. First, check to see if the contract includes a warranty. This guarantee will protect you in case of any problems with the roofing work.
Second, make sure the contract specifies the materials that they will use. Finally, check to see if the contract includes a payment schedule. By doing this, you can be sure you are only paying what is necessary for the roofing work.