It’s no secret that roof repairs and replacements can be expensive but are an integral part of any home.
A good quality roof must stand the test of time and protect your home from natural environmental elements such as heat, rain, and snow.
Your first order of business is to hire a credible and professional roofing contractor that guarantees their work.
Have no fear because we’re going to provide you with ten tips to help you evaluate the roofing contractors that make it onto your shortlist and to select the best one to take on your project.
Let’s get started…
1)) Proven Track Record in Your Area
The work experience of the contractor you consider hiring should be evaluated. This provides an understanding of their knowledge and competencies to undertake and complete the work.
A company with more years of experience will have a better understanding of the roofing business and usually will be able to deliver better results.
Pro Tip: An established and experienced local roofing company will have a better understanding of the best types of roofs that are more suitable for the climate.
2)) Get Multiple Quotes
Before hiring any contractor, multiple quotes should be obtained from at least three reputable roofing companies.
It will provide you with a comparative understanding of the services being provided and the price being charged.
It will also ensure that the best possible rates are negotiated before giving the project to your chosen contractor.
3)) Written Estimate and Contract
You should get a written estimate and contract from the chosen contractor for your protection.
The estimate should have the scope of the work defined, the commencement and completion date of the project, and the payment terms.
The work contract also should be in writing to eliminate any discrepancies later in the scope of the project.
4)) Verify References
Hiring contractors should begin with local referrals. Also, the contractor should be asked to provide references.
A professional roofing contractor should have no problem with providing plenty of references.
It’s in your best interest to contact those references to get their honest feedback on their experience with the roofing contractor you may potentially hire.
Ask them about the quality of the work done and how satisfied they are with the final project.
Chances are, if a contractor does not provide references, then it may mean they do not have satisfied customers who will speak on their behalf, or they are very new to the business.
If they can’t provide references of satisfied customers, you may want to avoid those contractors, but it’s totally up to you whether you want to take a chance.
Unfortunately, some good roofing companies don’t proactively get testimonials from their satisfied customers.
To be on the safe side, we recommend that you hire a contractor that has a proven track record of success and a good rapport with their customers.
5)) Office Location and Details
You should always get the physical office address and other contact details of the contractor you plan on hiring.
You should only deal with roofing contractors that have a physical office because this shows their legitimacy and credibility.
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a local contractor is the convenience of having them come back to your home to make repairs and fixes if needed.
A non-local contractor may not be able to get back out to your home in a timely manner.
This delay in service could be devasting if your roof sprung a leak during a rainstorm.
If you need to speak with the company in person, hiring a local contractor provides you with that option.
When possible, hire a reputable local roofing contractor.
6)) Is the Company Licensed
Before signing on the dotted line of the contract, you should find out if the company is licensed, insured, and bonded.
The license shows that the company has technical knowledge of the business and the work they are in and can be relied upon to deliver good quality work.
The insurance pays for any damage or injuries resulting from the workers.
If the company does not pay the suppliers, then the bond will protect the customers from mechanics lien against the home.
A roofing company that possesses all three can potentially increase your chances of choosing a great contractor.
7)) Warranty Provisions
You should ask each contractor about the warranty provisions and the types of warranties they provide.
Remember, one of your main objectives is to reduce your risks of hiring a sub-par roofing contractor.
Generally, good contractors provide a warranty on workmanship and the quality of materials used.
Do not hire a contractor if they refuse to provide warranties on their workmanship and the quality of materials used to repair or replace your roof.
Always get the warranty details in writing because this protects both you and the contractor.
8)) Work Subcontracting
You should be clear if the contractor is unable to provide all the services in the roofing project on their own.
If not, you must ask the contractor questions such as the following:
- Who will they be working with to get the project completed?
- Does the sub-contractor have sufficient expertise and credibility to do the work?
- Will the sub-contractor be paid timely to eliminate the chances of a mechanic’s lien on your property?
When possible, hire a roofing contractor who can provide all the services needed to complete the project on their own without having to bring on a sub-contractor.
Your goal is to go for the one-stop shop, which can reduce the chances of things going wrong.
9)) Pricing is Not the Only Criteria
When searching for a roofing contractor, pricing should not be the sole criteria for selecting a roofer.
A contractor who provides you a lower quote may use low-quality materials and apply poor workmanship.
You may have heard the old saying, “You Get What You Pay For.”
Often that rings true.
Instead, focus your energy on hiring reputable roofing contractors that have a proven track record.
It’s worth it to pay a little more for the installation of high-quality materials and superior workmanship.
Low-grade materials and shotty workmanship can cost you more in the long run due to frequent repairs and fixes.
For best practices, you should get your roof repaired or replaced right the first time.
10)) Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ratings
A great place to check the reputation and rating of the roofing contractors you’re considering is the Better Business Bureau website (www.bbb.org).
We advise you to use caution when reading the comments left by consumers.
Use common logic when researching contractors because not everyone will be pleased for one reason or another.
For example, if a roofer has 3000 positive reviews and 50 bad reviews, and has served thousands of customers, that company is most likely reputable.
We don’t know of any company that has never had a complaint about their services.
This is why you should take negative reviews with a grain of salt, especially if most of them are positive.
The BBB website is just another great resource for checking the reputation of the roofing contractor you’re considering.
Conclusion
We just handed you ten tips to help you choose the best roofing contractor that will make repairs or even replace the entire roof.
A roofing contractor must be reliable and should have a good track record.
Roof repairs and replacements can be pricey, which is why you must hire the best contractor to do the work correctly the first time around.
The roofer that you hire must have the superior technical know-how, expertise, and good reviews.
Think of the money you spend to have your roof fixed or replaced as an investment in your home.
Deferred maintenance on a leaky roof can lead to bigger and more costly problems down the road such as…
- Wood Rot of Framing
- Damaged Rafters
- Destruction of Paint and Plaster
- Damage to Ceiling Fans and Lights
So, if you want to avoid those costly repairs, don’t hesitate to contact a roofing contractor to solve your issues.
