A Guide to Hiring a Quality Roofing Contractor
Hiring a quality roofing contractor requires research. New roofing businesses are started every day, and that makes it hard to know who you can trust.
Even if you do everything right when hiring a roofing company, things don’t always work out as they should. By following our guide to hiring a quality roofing contractor, you can eliminate many of the mistakes that could result in hiring the wrong roofer.
Know Your Roof
What do we mean by “know your roof”? It is important to know the type of roof you currently have and the approximate square footage. This can help you avoid being overcharged and make it easier to compare quotes.
The most common roofing material used on residential homes is asphalt shingles. Other types include metal roofing, clay or concrete tiles, slate, wood shakes, and solar tiles.
Knowing which material your home’s roof currently has, or the type of roofing material you want to replace it with, can help you understand the pricing and installation requirements.
To estimate the square footage of your roof, visit https://roofingcalculator.com. This tool uses satellite images to estimate the square footage of your roof in seconds by entering your address. You can also submit a request to have local roofing contractors bid on your project.
In all cases, if your roof is still under warranty, contact the company that installed your existing roof or review your warranty documentation before getting any quotes.
Have a Plan and a Clear Job Scope to Tell Your Contractor
Before getting quotes for your project, have a basic idea of what you want to accomplish with a new roof. Consider the current condition of the roof and any additions or other repairs you may want, such as new rain gutters.
This helps contractors provide accurate prices based on the same scope of work.
Repair Your Roof or Replace It?
If your roof is leaking, has wind damage, or has missing shingles, you may only need repairs instead of a new roof. An inspection by a professional roofing contractor can provide more information and help you make an informed decision based on the age and condition of the entire roof.
Price Is Only One Factor
While a great price is important, it shouldn’t be the only factor you use when choosing a roofing contractor.
The durability of the materials they will be using, the manufacturer’s warranty, and an installation warranty covering the contractor’s work should all factor into your decision when choosing a company to do the job.
Verify a Roofer’s Qualifications and Experience
Before getting any bids, select a few roofing contractors in your local area and get recommendations from people you trust. Then, research their reputations by reading reviews, checking their licensing, and verifying any associations they claim to have with manufacturers and organizations such as the Better Business Bureau.
If a roofing company claims to be a certified installer for a certain roofing material manufacturer, verify that certification with the manufacturer.
Always call and get verifiable references from the roofing companies. Ask if you can visit some of the properties where they have completed work locally. Beware of any company that refuses to provide verifiable references.
Before hiring any contractor, check their contractor’s license, liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. Make sure all three are in the name of the contractor performing the work and that the company is licensed to do work in your state.
Roofing Estimates and Bids
When getting estimates and bids from roofing contractors, make sure you are giving each contractor the same scope of work. Write down what you want done and give a copy to each contractor so their bids are consistent.
Accept only written estimates and bids. Make sure everything you agreed upon is included in the bid before accepting it. Make all changes in writing before signing a contract.
A written roof replacement bid should include a description of the work, all materials to be used, the cost of labor, any applicable warranties, and the disposal of old roofing materials. If additions were requested, those should also be included in the bid.
A written estimate should also specify how long the pricing is valid, any deposit required, and when the final payment is due.
Before Signing a Contract
The first thing you should do is read the contract carefully and make sure it includes everything you and the roofing contractor agreed to, especially the price.
Any permit fees or subcontracting arrangements should be mentioned in the contract.
The warranty period offered by both the manufacturer and the contractor should be included. If financing was offered and accepted, this should be noted in the contract, and a separate financing agreement should be provided.
By Leo Rosa
