Replacing your roof is a major decision. It’s understandable that you would like the best roofing contractor for the work. But how will you know what to consider? Most people is only going to replace a roof once in a lifetime. It’s a major investment, and you simply want to be sure you choose the best company. Listed below are 10 questions to ask before you select a roof installation company.
1. Ask How Long the Roofing Contractor Has been around Business
You probably wouldn’t take your vehicle to a mechanic that has been face to face for two weeks. And you probably wouldn’t sign up for heart and soul surgery with a health care provider fresh out of school. So why select a roofing contractor that doesn’t have an extended history of doing high-quality work?
In many cases, homeowners allow price to dictate the contractor they choose. Much like the majority of things in life, you get what you purchase. In the event that you opt for a roofing company that can provide you a bargain price but can’t provide a set of happy customers, you’re probably going to wrap up with a substandard installation.
Also retain in head that it’s extremely difficult to acquire a wisdom against a contractor that simply closes its doors following a lawsuit. Unfortunately, fly-by-night contractors are notorious for disappearing to avoid paying damages, only to reopen calendar months later under a fresh name. You may avoid slipping victim to this type of unscrupulous contractor by dealing with a business that has decades in business and a good reputation.
2. CHECK Licensing and Insurance
Roofing is a dangerous job, which explains why we never recommend homeowners take it on themselves. It’s important to really have the right tools, materials and safety equipment. It’s also important to have experience. Reputable roofing contractors contain the essential permits and licenses for each job they perform.
A high-quality roofing installer will also carry all required insurance because of its workers, which will cover them in the case someone is damage throughout your roof’s installation. As the homeowner, you must never work with a contractor that can’t provide proof of proper insurance because of its employees.
3. Look at Recent Work
For some businesses offering something, reputation is everything. Take into account the previous time you went to a fresh restaurant, or even frequented a new beauty salon or dentist’s office. In past years, you might have asked a relative or friend for the names of a good spot to get dinner or get your teeth cleaned. Today, however, the internet provides unbiased, third party reviews from individuals who have used a business’s services in the past. Actually, 81 percent of consumers say they research online before they make a purchase. Before you may spend money, it pays to research your options.
What do other homeowners have to state about the roofing contractor? You can ask the business if it has a set of homeowners you can call, or you can examine online for information about the company’s earlier careers. Guild Quality is a fantastic third-party review site that lets homeowners leave real responses for contractors.
It’s also advisable to be skeptical about contractors that show you nothing but five-star ratings. While this may sound great, it’s not likely an accurate representation of their work. Any business that performs thousands of roof installations every year will have a certain amount of less than advantageous reviews.
4. Price Isn’t the thing That Matters
If you’ve ever before undertaken a home renovation job before, you might have been advised to “get three estimates.” No one really knows where this so-called “three estimates” guideline originates from, and no one seems to be in a position to say why three is the ideal number.
Actually, there’s no reason you should limit you to ultimately three estimates – or why you need to go beyond a couple of estimates when looking for a roofing contractor. Somewhat, you should hang out speaking with potential roofing companies until you think you’ve got all the information you need to make the best decision.
5. Get Financing Agreements on paper
Every part of your roofing unit installation contractor should maintain writing, but it’s especially important to ensure you understand the financing terms. An excellent roofing company will appoint an educated employee to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you have about repayment. No area of the agreement should be confusing or kept “up in mid-air.”
6. Ask Who Is Doing the Installation
Will the roofing company send its own workers to your house? The very last thing you will need to fret about is getting up on assembly day and viewing a new work team on your premises. The unfortunate the truth is that some roofing contractors outsource their jobs to alternative party independent contractors. When they do, the manufacturer of the roofing materials is most probably to void the warranty that is included with the materials. Furthermore, you have no way of knowing if the independent contractor is qualified to install your new roof. Be skeptical of roof covering companies that use these kind of bait and change tactics.
7. Ask What Happens If You’re Unsatisfied with the task
No matter how carefully you plan a job, there is always the opportunity that something won’t go exactly as planned. If an error happens, how will the company handle it? This is something you need to know in advance. Do you want to spend time on the phone, trying to attain a agent? Will the company take your cash and run?
8. Ask about Unplanned Repairs
Watch any do-it-yourself show on television set, and you understand that unplanned repairs and emergencies are more regularly the rule rather than the exception. Once you start knocking down walls or ripping out cabinets, you’re more likely to find additional problems or the necessity for extra repairs or work.
Roofs could work quite similar way. In some instances, decking is rotten or harmed by moisture, or the staff discovers water damage that should be repaired before additional moisture makes its way inside a property. Ask your roofer contractor how it handles unexpected repairs. In this manner, even if you’re surprised, you know very well what to expect.
9. Will the Roof covering Contractor Tear Off Your Old Roof structure?
Some roof covering companies will mount new shingles over a vintage roof. However, this is almost always an awful idea. To begin with, it adds excess weight to a roof covering that is most likely already aging and anticipated for new decking. Two, it doesn’t address any underlying problems, such as damage concealed by old shingles. Because you can’t visit a problem doesn’t mean it’s not there. And when it comes to your roof covering, a concealed problem often means major repairs in the future.
In this manner, slapping new shingles over an existing roof is like putting a Band-Aid on an afflicted wound. You cover up the damage, nevertheless, you do nothing to take care of the real way to obtain the injury. It can be a highly effective and cheap short-term solution, but it’s not really a long-term fix. Worse, it usually eventually ends up costing a home-owner a lot more later on.
10. Ask if the Roof covering Contractor Can be an Authorized Installer
Is the roof covering contractor a preferred partner and approved installer for the shingle supplier? That is an important concern, as manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when a roof structure is installed by way of a non-authorized installer.