Research shows there are 75 million single-family homes in the U.S. as of recent years and over 5 million of those homes need a new roof each year.
With numbers like these, there’s no question that literally millions of Americans are in search of a great roofing contractor every year.
But unless you’re a home builder, how do you know what to look for?
Fortunately, you don’t have to stress. We’ve got you covered, (literally) with this “hiring a roofing contractor checklist,” so you can know exactly what to ask your contractor before you hire them to do your roof.
Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist
Your hiring a roofing contractor checklist should start with a written agreement.
You will avoid a lot of headaches and unforeseen expenses if you get a detailed contract, in writing, that lists what work is to be done, the deadlines, and pricing.
The following questions will help you create such a document.
1. Are You Local?
When choosing a great Roofing Company, you want to find someone who is local. You want to select someone who is established in your area with experience there.
Don’t settle for a company that is just currently operating in your area.
Why?
Should trouble arise, you want to have a roofer who is close by to make repairs, assist you and who is familiar with the weather and other conditions in your area.
It would be a shame to hire someone long-distance only to discover they’ve since disappeared.
2. Do You Have Worker’s Comp. and Liability Insurance?
Be safe and ask to look at their insurance certificates. You should even go the extra mile to verify with the insurance carrier.
What this does is make sure all bids are fair since some of the roofing cost and is protected.
3. What’s Your Pricing?
Beware with this one because choosing a roofer based solely on price is a dead end. If you find cheap bids, they drive down the market.
Quality roofers will have good insurance and overhead costs that must be included in their price. The simple truth is that you get what you pay for.
When it comes to the roof over your head, you do not want to go with the cheapest guy on the market.
4. Do You Have Satisfied Customer Reviews?
If a roofer is knocking on your door saying he was, “in the area and noticed you have storm damage,” be wary.
By no means should you sign a letter of intent without contacting your insurance agent first.
Choose a roofer who has quality customer reviews and isn’t out canvassing for sales.
5. What’s Your Communication Policy?
The last thing you need in a roofer is someone who doesn’t return your calls or takes days to get back to you.
Time is money and unless you’ve got your contract in writing and you know your roofer’s communication standards, you’re in a for a world of frustration.
Ready, Set, Roof!
Once you’ve gone through your hiring a roofing contractor checklist, you’re far more likely to hire a quality service.
For more helpful housing how-tos, browse the DIY portion of our blog.
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