When our roof needs repair or replacement, it’s imperative that we hire only the right people to do it.
After all, the roof is one of the most important parts of our home. You can’t have an amateurish roofing contractor working on it, can you?
That’s why you need to be a little more discerning when choosing the right roofing contractor. You wouldn’t want to waste your roofing insurance claim hiring people pretending to be roofers, and they have been roaming residential areas looking for homeowners to scam.
If you want to hire only the best roofing contractors, here are some tips that will help you do just that.
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Don’t hire the first roofing contractor you meet.
Sometimes, we get so concerned about a leaking or damaged roof that we tend to hire the first roofing contractor we see.
While fixing your roof is an urgent matter, you still have to hire a competent roofer, at least.
Good for you if you already know of one. If you don’t, then take the time to do some research. Search the Internet for roofing companies in your area. Ask friends or relatives for recommendations. And ask for estimates from at least three roofing contractors so you can compare them and get the best possible deal.
Beware of door-to-door roofing contractors.
There have been reports coming out of several cities about homeowners falling victim to roofing contractor scams.
Apparently, these scammers knock on doors, usually after a heavy storm, and offer to check your roof for damage free of charge. Homeowners who take advantage of that “opportunity” soon find themselves being told that their roof did suffer damage, but can be fixed at an affordable rate.
More often than not, there’s no roof damage in these cases, but people will pay anyway. And if there is actual damage, you cannot expect these faux roof contractors to improve your roof’s condition. Any attempt they make to repair your roof will be sloppy, and you’ll be paying for that quality of work.
So the moment someone knocks on your door and offers such a service, cut him off and say no.
Ask about their experience.
When you begin interviewing legitimate roofing contractors, don’t forget to ask about their experience in the business.
Some roofing newbies may be good, but you cannot discount the experience of roofing contractors who have been around the block several times.
If they’ve been at it for years, there’s a great chance they have already encountered plenty of possible roofing scenarios and have already figured out ways to deal with them appropriately. Besides, experienced roofers who have been in the roofing business for a long time typically have connections to suppliers from whom they purchase materials at lower prices.
Go local.
If you’re more inclined to hire roofing contractors from outside your city or even state, then go ahead and do it. However, you need to be aware of some of the advantages of hiring roofing contractors who operate in your area.
The most obvious advantage is their proximity to you. It won’t take them long to go to your house and fix your roof once you call. In case of any future emergency, they can also rush quickly to your home and perform needed repairs.
Another advantage local roofers have over those from out of state is their familiarity with the weather where you live. Since they know even the slightest quirks in the climate in your area, they already know how to get your roof ready to face those challenges.
Check their portfolio.
One indispensable part of choosing a roofing contractor is to see jobs they have done in the past. In all likelihood, they will have a portfolio of homes they have previously worked on to show clients, so check those pictures out and see if you like them.
Also, search for online reviews of their past work. Past clients won’t have qualms about praising work they like and thrashing roofing contractors who didn’t do the job to their satisfaction.
Ask if they have insurance.
It doesn’t take an expert to know that working on roofs is a dangerous job. Roofing, in fact, is often at the top of the list of riskiest professions in the world.
Hire only roofing contractors who have workers compensation and general liability insurance coverage. The former protects them in case they suffer an injury while working on your roof, while the latter will pay for any third-party personal injury or property damage they might cause on the job.
If they say they’re insured, ask for documentary proof, which you can then verify with concerned insurance companies and government agencies.
Choosing the ideal roofing contractor takes some effort, but it will at least assure you that your roof will be in good hands.
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