Return to site

Things to Consider When Hiring a Roofer

broken image

There are many roofing contractors nowadays, but truth is, not all of them are equally qualified. This is why you need to take some time reviewing your choices.
What exactly do you need to look for when hiring a roofer? There’s quite a list of important considerations to be made, and it’s usually a bad idea not to take each one seriously.

Before you hire a roofing contractor, take the following into account:

Experience

This is more crucial than most people realize. To get more info about roofing contractors, click this page. Remember that the average start-ups close shop in as short as two years. When choosing a roofer, make sure they are established, meaning, they have been in business for a minimum of five years. The roofing industry is competitive, and if they lasted that long, it usually indicates stability.

Physical Location

Most, if not all, reputable roofers have a permanent physical address as well as a landline phone number and an email address. While none of these guarantee a good job, they sure are signs of a stable company.

Use of Subcontractors

Subcontractors are usually paid per project, so the downside of using a roofer that subcontracts is the risk of poor workmanship. After all, they need to finish fast to begin the next project! This is not a hard and fast rule, but it pays to check the credentials of the subcontractors themselves.
 
Written Estimate and Contract

Good roofers always provide written and complete job specifications and cost estimates. They will probably ask for a deposit of about a third of the job’s total cost. If they want more, be wary.

Better Business Bureau/Chamber of Commerce and Industry

See if the contractor is a member of the Better Business Bureau and your local Chamber of Commerce. Check if they have issues with consumers, and if so, how these were resolved. Look at the overall business rating and always consider the company’s size when reading through complaints, if any.
Trade Associations

Also check it the contractor you’re considering is part of any local or national industry associations. Again, this is no guarantee that they will do a good job, but it is an indication of the roofer’s commitment to the industry, especially to their clients.

Insurance

Definitely, you should see whether the roofer you’re hiring is insured with both liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Never hire anyone who’s uninsured as this could leave you with a huge liability, in case an injury or property damage occurs as a result of the work they do for you.

Installation Certification

Choose a contractor who is a certified installer of all products they offer. Certified contractors can give you stronger product warranties and are more conscious about following installation guidelines.

Emergency Service

A contractor that offers emergency service might be a good one. Visit https://www.ghclark.com to get more details about roofing contractors. There are times when your roof just needs some emergency fixing, and your roofer should be able to accommodate.

Client References

Ask the roofer for a few names and contact details of some previous clients. If they hesitate or don’t want to give you any, you should be suspicious. If they’re confident about their work, they should be happy to oblige.

Beyond the Price

Finally, never choose a roofer based on price alone, especially if roofing is unregulated in your city or state. Hiring someone for a cheap price is risking shoddy workmanship and a potentially higher overall cost (when you have to fix a poor job). Learn more from https://www.reference.com/home-garden/different-types-roofing-materials-e5b4801b4374fe26?aq=roofing&qo=cdpArticles.