Replacing the roof is a considerable investment. In fact, roofing contractors often have roofing liability insurance to cover financial losses in the event of injury or property damage. Understandably, since roof replacement can cost a significant amount of money, you want to make sure you hire the best roofing contractor for the job.
Finding the consummate roofing contractor is no easy feat, but it can be done. Start your search for the ideal roofing contractor by asking yourself the following questions:
How long has the roofing contractor been in business?
Would you take your car to a mechanic who’s only been on the job for a couple of weeks? Or would you entrust the creation of your custom home to a contractor that’s only been operating for a few months? The same principle applies when picking a roofing contractor.
Undeniably, it is ideal to pick a contractor with a long track record of doing high-quality work. While unfortunate to note, most homeowners use price as the main deciding factor when choosing a roofing contractor.
If you opt for a roofing company that gives bargain prices but can’t provide a list of satisfied customers, you’ll most likely end up with a substandard installation. Fortunately, you can avoid wasting your hard-earned money by working with a roofing contractor that’s been around for years and has a trusted reputation.
Do they have the proper licensing and insurance?
Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why you are not allowed to take it on yourself. Replacing the roof will require that you have the right materials, tools, and safety equipment. Having extensive experience is also essential. Trusted roofing contractors have the license and permits for every job they carry out.
Dependable roofing installers also have the required insurance for their workers, which covers them in the event of accidents during the installation process. As a general rule of thumb, you should not work with a contractor that can’t provide proof of proper insurance for their employees.
Have they provided quality service in the past?
A whopping 81 percent of consumers revealed they do some online research before making a purchase. Fortunately, you can now quickly assess the quality of service a roofing contractor provides with just a few mouse clicks.
If the company has a website, you can check out the reviews and testimonials on their page. You can also ask them for references. A word of caution: be wary of roofing contractors that show you nothing but five-star ratings. While it can seem great, you are also likely not getting an accurate representation of their work.
Who will be performing the installation?
Will the roofing company’s workers take on the job? Or is the task going to be outsourced to a third-party independent contractor? The unfortunate reality is some roofing contractors do outsource the task.
When this happens, the roofing materials manufacturer will likely void the warranty that comes with the materials. Be very careful that you don’t end up dealing with roofing contractors that use these bait and switch tactics.
What happens when you are not satisfied with their work?
At times, no matter how carefully a job is planned out, there will be instances when things won’t go according to plan. If something needs to be redone, how will the company handle the task? Or will they accommodate it to begin with?
While seemingly trivial, this is something you need to know ahead of time. Otherwise, you can end up spending hours on the phone just trying to reach a representative that can attend to your concerns.
Some roofing contractors won’t accept a single penny until clients are completely satisfied with their work. If clients are unsatisfied for whatever reason, they usually get things right before receiving full payment.
How will they handle unplanned repairs?
Watch home improvement shows on television and you’ll likely discover that emergencies and unplanned repairs are more often the rule as opposed to the exception. As soon as the cabinets are ripped out, or the walls are knocked out, they often find additional issues that might require extra repairs or work.
Roofs can work the same way. In some instances, workers might discover water damage that needs repair or decking damaged by moisture. Check with your prospective roofing contractor how they will address unexpected repairs. This is essential, so you will know what to do if something unforeseen comes up.
Conclusion
When looking for the best roofing contractor, take your time and don’t work with the cheapest or the first one you’ll find. Take into consideration all the critical components so you’ll get quality service truly worth investing in.
About the Author
Rachel Porter is the content specialist for Custom Contractors Insurance, LLC, an Arizona roofing and contractors insurance company. When not writing, she enjoys reading and mountain biking with her friends.