It’s a tough time to be looking for a reputable roofer. With so many companies on the market, it can be hard to find someone who is qualified and trustworthy. We have compiled this list of tips on what you should look for in a roofing company so that you won’t have any regrets when hiring them!
Table of Contents
1. Get Multiple Estimates
When hiring a roofing contractor, it is important to not only get an estimate, but also to compare that estimate to others. It’s reasonable for price quotes on the same project to vary across roofers, so don’t be scared if you receive very different numbers. What isn’t reasonable are excessively high prices just because your house needs repairs. Be sure to ask questions about these issues before committing!
2. Check Their Licenses And Insurance
Before signing any contract with a roofing company, take note of what licenses they have available in your state. Also inquire as to whether or not they have liability insurance, which will protect you in the event of any accidents while the job is being done. If either their license or insurance is lacking, try to find a better company before it is too late.
3. Make Sure They Have References
The next step in choosing the right roofer for your home is checking their references and asking them tough questions about past work. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide you with both! You should definitely get in touch with at least three clients before giving anyone the green light. This will allow you to make an informed decision when coming up on your final choice.
4. Review Their Portfolio
Before hiring a roofing contractor, ask to see pictures of previous jobs they’ve done and take note of how well maintained everything looks today (over time roofs can warp and fade). Also, pay close attention to the kind of work they specialize in. Ask yourself: Do the roofs on their portfolio look like my roof? If not, you may want to consider another candidate for your home’s roofing company.
5. Look Out For Red Flags
There are several things that floor us when we hear about them from customers and most of these pertain to communication issues with contractors, such as lack of contact after work has been done or no-shows during scheduled appointments. Also be wary if a contractor is pushy with offering their services or says something along the lines of “If you don’t hire me now, your price will go up.” Customers should not be bullied into hiring a roofer and there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to find someone else who is honest and trustworthy for the job.
6. Ask About Warranties And Guarantees
Any reputable roofing company will guarantee their work, either through a written warranty or by providing you with an estimation of how long the roof will last (for instance, fifty years). If they can’t provide you with either of these options, it’s probably best not to choose them. It’s also helpful to ask what materials they use in order to make sure that your home stays protected from whatever weather conditions it may face.
7. Make Sure They Understand Your Concerns
If there are certain issues that worry you about your roof such as leaks or missing shingles, be sure to mention these during any initial consultations and quote requests. Have a copy of your insurance policy so that you can show them what kind of work is covered and discuss your options for improvements. If a contractor doesn’t want to deal with those issues, you probably don’t want to hire them because it means they aren’t doing their job properly.
8. Know The Price Range
The way to avoid needless stress during this process is knowing beforehand approximately how much everything will cost. A good rule of thumb is not paying more than $1 per square foot (which covers most basic repairs) or up to $3 per square foot (needed for most restorations). For reference, most roofs are around 2,000 square feet in size which means that quotes between $4,000-$15,000 are reasonable for most homes.
9. Get Everything In Writing
It is important to know what you’re signing if you are hiring a roofer under contract, because this will include information about warranties, guarantees, payment plans, change orders and other necessary clauses. Make sure that all verbal agreements are put into the contract before it is signed or else there may be some confusion down the line! Also make sure that your payments coincide with any written timetables so as to avoid any early termination fees. Finally, feel free to write down your name and phone number on every page of the contract so that they don’t forget who their client is.
Asking these questions before choosing a contractor can help homeowners minimize stress during this process and prevent headaches later on down the line.
Once you feel comfortable with your contractor, you can be rest assured that your roofing project is in good hands and soon enough you’ll be enjoying some nice weather under a new, improved roof!