If your roof is old and leaking, it’s high time to have it replaced. The only way to have new roofing professionally installed is to find a roofing contractor who offers high-quality service and excellent craftsmanship at a competitive price.
While it may seem like finding such a contractor is impossible, you need to remember that it will all come down to your screening process. And this what this blog post is all about. Regardless of the reason for which you are looking for a contractor, whether it’s for a simple repair or a full roof replacement, we can help make a decision that you can feel 100% confident about.
Even if you do not know exactly what you are looking for, you’ll find below 10 tips to finding the perfect contractor:
1. Always Ask for Insurance
Worker’s compensation and liability insurance will take care of damage and injury that may arise during the project. This is why it is important to hire an insured contractor. If your contractor is not insured, you will be responsible for catering to such property damage and injury liabilities.
Do not hesitate to ask for certificates of insurance. A professional contractor is used to that and should be able to produce these certificates without any problem.
2. Warranty Coverage and Manufacturer Designations Are Also Important
What do those even mean? Warranty coverage is pretty easy to understand. Just like with some products, you can find a contractor who offers a workmanship warranty. If your roofing installation is covered by such a warranty, you will be safeguarded from having to pay for repairs out of pocket in the event of an eventual problem with the roof.
Manufacturer designations, on the other hand, simply refer to the contractor being factory certified. Contractors who are factory certified are more likely to adhere to safety and insurance requirements.
3. Hire a Local Contractor
There are a lot of good reasons for hiring locally. A couple of those reasons include:
- The fact that local contractors are more likely to care about the members of their community.
- Local contractors are familiar with local roofing codes and rules.
- Since they live in your locality, they will be able to respond more quickly than an out-of-town contractor.
- Out-of-town contractors may not arrive in time to attend to an emergency or be unable to commit to their warranty.
- Local contractors generally have strong relationships with suppliers and crews and will be able to offer a five-star service as they will be able to get materials at a competitive price.
4. Sometimes Expensive is Better
Do not let cheap prices mislead you. Too good to be true offers are exactly that: they aren’t real. If a service provider is offering their services at a very low price, it is highly likely that their work will be below par.
Let this be a rule of thumb when it comes to construction and repairs for your house: you get what you pay for. Therefore, choose a reputable company that hires experienced roofers.
But that does not mean you have to blow your money on a contractor who charges high roofing fees. You can, instead, request quotes from a few contractors and choose one that offers top-notch services at a realistic price.
5. Remember to Consider Their Level of Experience
The longer a contractor has survived in the industry, the more likely it is that they offer an impressive line of services. With their long experience in the field, the contractor will be able to handle any type of roofing project, regardless of its complexity.
You can also refer to their previous work and feedback from their previous clients to gauge their expertise. The best contractors will even have a portfolio of their past projects.
6. Do Not Trust Post-Storm Opportunists
Some roofing contractors tend to go door-to-door to sell their services right after a big storm. They may claim that your roof has sustained storm damage and advise you to hire them to get your roof repaired ASAP.
They will even use the hard sell approach or try to pressure you to sign an intent letter. These high-pressure sales tactics are meant to coerce you into signing a contract that may be harmful in the long term. Do not be afraid to refuse them. If your roof has been damaged, go to reputable contractors instead.
7. Pay Attention to Their Communication Skills and Their Attitude
Those two things are essential to having a good working relationship. The attitude of the contractor dictates how well the project goes. This is because there might be some changes midway. And unless the contractor is flexible and is ready to respect your requests, you will end up with a half-finished reroofing project. Or, worse, an end product that does not match your taste at all.
Good communication is the hallmark of professionalism. It ensures that there is no misunderstanding, whether it’s regarding a written contract a verbal agreement.
