Quick Tips For Choosing A Roofing Contractor
Even The Best Roofs Don’t Last Forever
From time to time, the roof of a house can start to show signs of its age or lingering damages. It may have suffered hail or storm damage recently, it may be leaking in areas, it may also be showing signs that it is reaching the end of its “lifespan” and need to be completely replaced. In any case, you should be sure to do your research when choosing a quality roofing contractor.
The roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. A properly installed roof should last you 15 years or more and choosing the right roofing contractor to get the job done is the most important you can do.
How To Begin Your Search For A Roofing Contractor
The best way to begin your search for a roofing contractor is to contact them by phone or fill out a free quote form on their website (most contractors will have one). Of course, it is even better if you are able to meet with them in person and ask them questions. This will allow you to understand the capabilities, character, and commitment of the potential contractor. Another really great thing you can do is ask your friends or family about anyone they have worked with in the past and would recommend.
Searching on Google also shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the advantages of Google search is that it allows you to read roofing reviews and ratings left by previous clients. This is extremely helpful in determining one contractor over another. Finally, check your local roof catalog for a shortlist of contractors in your area. No matter which method you choose, be sure to visit the company’s website for more information about them.
Taking the time to research the best local roofing contractor in your area can be a tedious job, but what is really time-consuming, and not to mention expensive, is paying to completely redo a bad roofing job or fixing bad work.
So, how do you choose the right roofing contractor? Follow these tips to ensure you make the right decision for yourself and your family.
Licenses & Qualifications
Never hire a roofing contractor without a license. However, the license does not necessarily mean the contractor can perform quality work. Holding memberships with reputable trade associations can be an important indicator of the quality of a contractor, but it isn’t definitive. Be sure to also check to see if the potential contractor has received any continuing education training. If so, call the trade association company and request to see the continuing education certificate for the contractor.
The contractor you end up working with needs to have a permanent business. When choosing a roofing contractor, you must ensure that the contractor can complete all agreed-upon work. The contractor must have a permanent business address and telephone number. You can also visit the company in person to meet the team and get a feel of the contractor’s overall business with your own eyes. Larger contractors may be better equipped for most jobs but may cost more and be less hands-on and personal than smaller contractors. However, smaller contractors may be understaffed, less experienced, and less qualified to handle projects of any scope. It is always a wise decision to get a good understanding of their business first before entering into a business relationship and signing any contracts.
Don’t forget to ask about the insurance coverage that the contractor has. Ask them what it covers and the total amount it covers. Get them to show you their insurance certificate as proof. These certificates should detail the dates of coverage and the policy limits of their insurance carrier. Also make sure they have workers’ compensation insurance, as homeowners could potentially be sued for accidents that happen on the property. This will not be a possibility if you go with a reputable and quality roofing contractor.
Past Work Quality
Every contractor should have a safety plan, so be sure to ask them to provide theirs to you. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) always requires a safety plan, which is essential to ensure the correct execution of the project.
Understand the warranty period for the work that will be completed by the contractor. Usually, this warranty period is one year or more. The warranty length only matters if the contractor intends on honoring their warranty at all. Dishonest contractors who refuse to stand by their warranty can become a legal nightmare. Quality contractors usually go beyond the scope of a written contract to make sure their clients are completely satisfied and hopefully earn future business from them or their friends and family. Please note that only the manufacturer provides a product warranty, and generally, the warranty is only valid if the contractor is certified to install the product. Discuss with your contractor all the manufacturer specifications required to comply with the product warranty.
The contractor should also be able, and willing, to thoroughly discuss your roofing project with you. The areas you will want to be sure to discuss with your contractor include the colors and types of products you are going to use, how to obtain permits if necessary, what the cleaning procedures are, and how much the project will cost.
History of Work
Although contractors who have been in business for two years or less may do well, it is best to choose contractors who have been in business for at least five years. The longer a contractor has been in business, the more experience they have, which usually means a better experience, better craftsmanship, and fewer problems that arise when installing or repairing your roof.
Ask for photos of the contractor’s previous work and reviews from previous clients. You can retrieve this information through the contractor’s website or interview previous customers yourself. Even the best contractors get the occasional complaint. Complaints are not necessarily a bad thing, but the way in which the roofing contractor handles complaints may be a bad thing. Don’t be afraid to ask contractors how they handled complaints in the past or call the Better Business Bureau for details.
In addition to the above suggestions, let the contractors you consider put their bids for the project in writing. Having bids in writing helps to compare the prices and products that will be used by the roofing contractors to complete your project. Proposals that are significantly higher or lower than other proposals should be a red flag. Likewise, roofing directory sites can help simplify the process. Just fill out a quote request form, and the catalog will allow you to get in touch with local roofing companies.
Good luck with your search!
We hope these tips have helped and that you can feel more confident with your search for a great local roofing contractor. As time-consuming and overwhelming researching contractors can be, you will never regret the extra time you spent to be confident you’re hiring a quality contractor to take care of you and your home.
We hope that if the time comes that you need roofing services on your home, you will consider Ocala Roofing Inc. to be your roofing contractor. We are located in Ocala, FL, and have been proudly serving the residents in this area for many years. Give us a call today or fill out our free estimate form to see how we can be of service to you!