When it comes to choosing a new roof or even repairing the one you have, one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make is finding a roofing contractor with whom you trust. Stakes are high, and hiring the wrong professional could leave you with costly headaches (or worse yet a leaky living room). So how can you know who to trust? By asking the right questions. A great roofer will welcome these questions while less trustworthy ones may avoid them altogether. Let’s take a look at the due diligence you need to do by knowing what are the important questions to ask roofing contractor.
Where Is Your Business Located?
The first question you should ask a roofing contractor is where their business is located. Knowing this provides insight into their operations’ proximity, which can affect cost factors like transportation fees for materials and workers. Local contractors may offer more competitive pricing since travel expenses are reduced. And knowing their location allows you to assess their understanding of local building codes, climate conditions, and roofing challenges that are specific to your area. For an in-depth understanding, inquire whether or not they prioritize using locally sourced materials when building or repairing roofs, as this choice could make a big statement about their commitment to cost-cutting measures as well as to environmental sustainability. Many roofing contractors now use sustainable practices such as using recycled materials in their construction process, which can bring down prices while simultaneously encouraging eco-friendly practices. By asking about their location and sourcing practices, you can make a more informed and responsible choice.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
This may seem obvious, yet many homeowners overlook asking this important question of their roofers. A professional roofing company should hold all applicable licenses required in your locality. Licensing verifies they meet certain qualifications and adhere to state or local regulations, while insurance serves as your safeguard. Any contractor should carry at least two types of coverage. These are liability and workers’ compensation insurance policies. Liability insurance protects both you and your property in case of accidental damage, while workers’ compensation protects the roofers against injuries they might sustain on-site. Without this coverage, accidents and damages that occur could leave you on the hook for payments or lawsuits brought forth against them by you, leaving no one but yourself to cover these costs.
Can You Provide References or a Portfolio of Past Work?
Any reputable roofing contractor should be more than willing to put you in touch with previous clients or show their portfolio of completed projects as an indicator of their work quality. When this occurs, these references give an idea of the quality of their service. If former clients rave about the speed, craftsmanship and professionalism of a given contractor then chances are good you are in safe hands. Ask specific questions regarding timelines, communication issues or any hiccups encountered if necessary. Failure in these aspects could indicate something is not right.
What’s Your Experience with My Type of Roof?
Roof repair and replacement aren’t a one-size-fits-all service, so it’s important that your contractor has extensive knowledge in your type of roof (shingle, tile, metal or flat). Make sure they can deal with its peculiarities without “practicing” on your property. Ask about training programs available as well as certifications associated with each material used. These details can provide evidence of competence and give you assurances of high-quality results.
What Does Your Contract Include?
Never begin any roofing project without first drawing up a comprehensive agreement between all parties involved, which details everything from scope, materials used and estimated timeline to payment schedules, warranties and cleanup arrangements. In particular, an itemized breakdown of costs should be provided. This ensures there won’t be any unexpected costs cropping up midway through. If a contractor evades providing this agreement then that should be your clue to walk away.
Who Will be on Site and In Charge?
Don’t assume the person you meet during the estimates will be the one climbing your roof. Make sure there is clarity regarding who exactly will be there and whether there will be a project manager or supervisor available for on-site oversight of issues as they come up. This question allows you to determine how involved the contractor will be. If they plan to subcontract all responsibilities outwardly then this question also provides insight into who their teams may be made up of and whether these teams meet your standards of trustworthiness and reliability.
What Is Your Warranty Policy
Reputable roofing contractors stand behind their work with an impressive warranty package, including manufacturer and workmanship warranties for materials used, installation services and more. Inquire as to their length and extent, because knowing your investment will remain protected can reduce the amount of stress on your shoulders. Vague or limited offerings could indicate low confidence in them as contractors.
Do You Have a Safety Plan?
Roof replacement can be a hazardous business. To protect themselves and you, choose a contractor who takes safety seriously. Don’t be shy to ask what measures they take to mitigate risks, such as wearing proper safety gear, using harnesses, or setting up barriers around debris piles. Having an in-depth safety plan minimizes liability while showing professionalism. Accidents do happen but accidents shouldn’t occur due to inattention or negligence.
What Is the Payment Schedule?
Discussing money can be uncomfortable, but being upfront about your payment schedule is very important. While most contractors require a deposit before beginning work, any requests for excessive upfront payments could be an indicator that something is wrong. A trustworthy roofing contractor should offer milestone-based payments or payment systems aligned with project completion to ensure you only pay for work that has already been completed and approved before billing you for more services.
What’s Your Cleanup Protocol?
Roof replacement projects can be messy affairs. Between piles of shingles, nails and debris on your lawn, it can quickly transform it into an eyesore. Before hiring any contractor to work on your roof, inquire as to their cleanup process. Professional roofers should leave your property as tidy (if not cleaner) than before they arrived. Extra points if they use magnetic tools for picking up loose nails or dispose of waste responsibly.
Will You Handle Permits?
Most roofing projects require permits in order to adhere to local building codes. Reputable contractors usually take care in acquiring these permits on behalf of their clients, but it’s always better to double-check so there’s no surprise paperwork later on. If a contractor asks you to handle permits yourself, that could be an indicator that they lack experience or are taking shortcuts with construction.
What’s the Timeline for Completion?
Be realistic but firm when discussing project timelines. Factors like weather delays and material availability can wreak havoc with scheduling, but your contractor should still provide an approximate start and end dates as part of an accurate timeline. This will allow you to plan around it as well as hold them accountable for being on time with their deliveries. Contractors that do not give reliable timeframe estimates could not prioritize your project properly. Or they may delay its completion by not prioritizing delivery on schedule.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong with My Roof, and Who Do I Call?
Mistakes happen, that’s just life, but when it comes to roof maintenance, having an effective plan in place is important. At your initial meeting with your contractor, don’t be intimidated to inquire as to their follow-up process post installation of your roof. For added reassurance, know their follow-up strategy beforehand. Reputable contractors offer transparent, no-nonsense approaches to solving issues with timelines and actionable solutions that you can trust. A single point of contact saves time from endless phone tag, and can quickly address problems as soon as they arise. Don’t forget to inquire as to their process for handling unexpected challenges during installation, it is better to establish expectations early so your project runs more smoothly from beginning to end. Contractors that offer clear explanations regarding their problem-solving techniques are worth keeping on board.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Beyond these questions, when hiring a roofing contractor there are a few warning signs you should keep an eye out for. Be careful of contractors offering unsolicited services immediately following a storm. Though some may be genuine, others could be “storm chasers”, who perform subpar work before leaving abruptly. Also, any roofing contractor unwilling to provide cost breakdown, references, or put details in writing could indicate an unprofessional or inexperienced provider.
Trust But Verify
When hiring a roofing contractor, trust but verify is the way to go. Do your research online, read reviews and don’t be shy about getting multiple estimates. Doing the extra legwork will save you money in costly mistakes while helping ensure your roof stands strong for years.
Hiring a roofing contractor doesn’t need to be difficult. By asking the right questions and remaining aware of red flags, you can confidently choose one who’ll get the job done on the first try. A great contractor will appreciate your thoroughness. They know a well-informed customer makes better recommendations. Your roof is one of the most vital components of your home, so don’t leave its safety in anyone else’s hands and use these questions as a checklist when interviewing prospective roofing companies.