Being a roofer isn’t an easy job. To do it right, you must have enough experience and knowledge. Roof replacement is a costly renovation project. This is exactly why you shouldn’t experiment when hiring a contractor. The more qualified and professional roofing company, the better roof for your home.
Many homeowners aren’t aware that poor installation is one of the main reasons for having issues with the roof. In some extreme cases, the roof even started to sag, leading to total collapse. So besides carefully choosing your partner, you should also keep four eyes open while choosing your roofing contractor.
Here are some useful tips for doing research and interviews:
- License
The most important thing you should look for when hiring any kind of contractor is the license. If a contractor is licensed, it means that he/she has been tested and certified as a roofing professional.
This certification shouldn’t be taken for granted as it is basically your insurance that the job will be done right. Some companies may show you a “business license” and in those cases be wary! These licenses are made for tax purposes only and do not stand for official accreditation.
- Insurance
When it comes to the “real” insurance, you must make sure that your contractor offers it. If the roofer isn’t insured it means that you alone are responsible to compensate for any kind of accident that happens on the job.
Besides paying ridiculous amounts of money for someone scratching their finger on purpose, you can also be forced to pay any kind of damage that happens to your home due to faulty installation or repair.
With hiring an insured contractor, you won’t get any responsibility when it comes to the quality of your roofing or an accident that might occur during the job.
- Warranty
Never hire someone that doesn’t offer warranties and don’t be afraid to ask about them. It is your right and nobody can take that away from you. When a contractor offers a warranty, make sure you listen carefully and ask anything that pops in your mind. Consider these two questions:
- What does it cover? – 2 warranties should be presented: One from manufacturer vouching for the quality of the material, one from the contractor, vouching for his manual work. The second one usually excuses the contractor after 1-3 years.
- How long does it last? – The one from the manufacturer may last for up to 30 years. As mentioned above, for the contractor 1-3 years.
- Reviews
These days we judge someone based on reviews and testimonials. Doing review research for contractors can be done on Google, Yelp, HomeStars and Angie’s List.
Of course, you may encounter reviews from some crazy customers, but that comes with the territory. Check for the reply of your contractor to see how he/she dealt with the situation.
Don’t be afraid to step in contact with the former clients and ask in detail about their experience. You can also ask the contractors to give you information on previous clients and they will be happy to do so.
- Ask Questions
Finally, we get to our last tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially during the interview! This way you will know early on whether your contractor is willing to explain details and collaborate on the project. Communication is key for everything.
Contractors must understand how homeowners are afraid and worried about their home. They must be willing to put your worries aside and carefully explain in detail the entire process. Enthusiasm and collaboration are very important, considering the enormous cost of roof repair and installation.
Additionally, they must offer free consultations. Companies and contractors who do have free consultations are usually the best ones out there.