How to Choose a Residential Roofing Contractor
When it comes to choosing a residential roofing contractor, it’s important to select an experienced contractor who can give your roof the quality it needs to keep your family and personal belongings safe from the outside elements. When choosing a roofing contractor for your home, you must seek out multiple candidates with the proper licensing and a great business reputation in your area. Continue reading to learn how you can choose a residential roofing contractor for your home.
Contact three roofing contractors.
Treat this step just as you would if hiring a new employee. Making a bad decision regarding which contractor to hire will be very painful. Give yourself the best opportunity to make a good decision here by including several candidates
Verify that the roofing contractor you hire has the required applicable business licenses for your state or local area
If you are unsure of the business licenses required for roofing contractors in your area, contact the licensing board or Department of Professional Regulation for your area or state.
Verify that the roofing contractor or business is legitimate by asking for their tax identification number, a business address, business website or email address, and contact phone number
Ask the roofing contractor to provide you with proof of insurance, including worker’s compensation and liability coverage
Not all areas or states require roofing contractors to have insurance, but you may want to hire a person with insurance to protect yourself from lawsuits if the contractor is injured while working on your property
Tips for Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor
Ask How Long the Roofing Contractor Has Been in Business
You probably wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has been on the job for two weeks. And you probably wouldn’t sign up for heart surgery with a doctor fresh out of school. So why pick a roofing contractor that doesn’t have a long track record of doing high-quality work
Double Check Licensing and Insurance
Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why we never recommend homeowners take it on themselves. It’s important to have the right tools, materials and safety equipment. It’s also important to have experience. Reputable roofing contractors hold the requisite permits and licenses for every job they perform.
Look at Past Work
For most businesses that provide a service, reputation is everything. Think about the last time you went to a new restaurant, or even visited a new hair salon or dentist’s office. In past years, you might have asked a friend or relative for the names of a good place to grab dinner or get your teeth cleaned. Today, however, the internet provides unbiased, third party reviews from people who have used a business’s services in the past. In fact, 81 percent of consumers say they research online before they make a purchase. Before you spend money, it pays to do your homework.
Price Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
If you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation project in the past, you may have been told to “get three estimates.” No one really knows where this so-called “three estimates” rule comes from, and no one seems to be able to say why three is the ideal number.
Get Financing Agreements in Writing
Every aspect of your roofing installation contractor should be in writing, but it’s especially important to make sure you understand the financing terms. A good roofing company will appoint a knowledgeable employee to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you have about payment. No part of the agreement should be confusing or left “up in the air.
How to Choose a Roofing Contractor
Need to Find a Good Roofer
Installing a new roof is one of the most important, and expensive, home improvement projects you’ll run into as a homeowner. It and your siding is the first line of defense for your home against the elements. Whether you need a quick repair or a complete replacement, you’ll want to hire a trustworthy roofing pro. Here are a few tips to help you find — and work with — your contractor.
When Do I Need to Find a Roofer
Remember that these companies, especially independent contractors, often specialize in repairs or replacement. An installer might not have much experience with repair, and vice versa. Make sure that the one you hire knows how to work with the material you have (or want)
New Roof Installation or Replacement
A roof will last 20 to 50 years. Afterward, it usually requires replacement. The cost to replace or install a roof ranges from $5,200 to $10,100. High-end materials may cost more. If you’re hiring a pro to put one on a new home
Roofing Repair
The price to repair a roof runs $350 to $1,300. If it is leaking, sagging or showing other signs of damage, you may need a pro to fix it. Many professionals will perform this work on one they installed. If you need to a hire a pro different from the installer, be sure to look for companies that offer repair
Roofing Maintenance and Inspection
Hiring a pro for a roof inspection or to provide routine maintenance can increase its lifespan. The expense to hire a roof inspector averages about $200. You may want to arrange service every 6 to 18 months, depending on the material. Some companies offer maintenance plans when you get a new one, but many don’t perform this service
Tips for Finding The Right Roofing Contractor
Experience
Experience is a wonderful thing. It cannot be bought and has to be learned, sometimes the hard way. The more experience a contractor has the better the job he should be able to do, although at times it can be a relative thing.
Free estimates
Most contractors offer free estimates, but check before you ask a contractor to come and give you a quote. The expected outcome is that you will be able to compare quotes without any added costs.
Warranty on repairs
Check if the work is warranted. A good contractor is proud of his work and the warranty will back that up.
Certifications and memberships
Checking on what certifications have been awarded to the contractor will boost your confidence in them. A body that is willing to associate itself with a certain contractor means that the contractor has met certain standards prescribed by them
Testimonials
Testimonials and lots of them, not just a few from previous clients, means the contractor is consistently delivering on his promises. Of course an independent forum will also inform you if he is not. That being said a request to the client to complete a survey on completion of the work also indicates that the roofing contractor is confident in the quality of the work they deliver.
Avoid These Mistakes When Choosing a Roofer
Location
Beware of door-to-door roofers. A legitimate, well-established roofing company will have a physical location out of which they operate. If they give you a PO box, make sure you follow up and request their actual address
Read Customer Reviews
There’s no better barometer than the experiences of previous customers. Many residential roofing companies will post customer testimonials on their website, though you should also visit third-party sources like HomeStars
Check out the Company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating
BBB’s database helps people find local, reputable businesses. A company’s BBB profile will include current and resolved complaints and customer reviews.
Hiring an Unlicensed or Uninsured Roofer
If something goes wrong – whether your home suffers damage or a contractor is injured – you can be left on the hook if the company is uninsured.
Failing to Secure a Written Estimate
Be wary if a roofer doesn’t want to sign a contract in favour of an under-the-table cash payment. A little saving early in the game can mean big problems down the road. Always get all the necessary details – materials, labour, cost breakdowns, and what should happen if anything changes – in writing. This will guarantee your investment and help you compare quotes
