One of the biggest hurdles homeowners face is finding the right roofing company to repair or replace their roof.
If your roof is leaking, damaged, or old, you want to make sure your contractor is licensed and credible. Here are a few points you should consider for before hiring a roofing contractor to work on one of your biggest investments.
Ask for Local Referrals
Your first step should be asking for local roofing recommendations and making a list of the best contractors to call. Getting word-of-mouth recommendations is one of the best and easiest ways to ensure you’re getting a reliable service. You should focus on hiring a local roofing company because they’re going to be more familiar with the county roofing codes and regulations – making the process much smoother.
Check the Better Business Bureau & Online Reviews
The BBB is a great resource to help you find and review trustworthy businesses in your area. It’s not uncommon for companies to over change for a low-quality job. In addition to researching on the BBB website, browse reviews on Google, Facebook, Angie’s List, and other review sites to ensure credibility.
Ask How Long They’ve Been in Business
Once you’ve added a few contractors to your list, don’t be afraid to ask a few questions before signing a contract. This includes asking how long they’ve been in business. You wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has been on the job for a week, right? You should think the same way when it comes to your house – it never hurts to ask how long they’ve been in the business and if they have any customer testimonials they’re willing to share with you.
Inquire About Their Process
Asking the roofing company about their process is very important. Will they be outsourcing their team? Will they inspect your roof before repairing or replacing? Will they remove weak or old wood before installing your new roof? Will they address any existing damage before beginning their repair? Is the cost of roofing materials included in the price? Making sure all of these questions are addressed is very important and will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your service.
Ask About Their Satisfaction Guarantee
No matter how many questions you ask or who you choose to do the repair, there is a chance that you will be unsatisfied with their work. Asking the company what their satisfaction guarentee is will ensure that they won’t run away with your money while you’re stuck fixing a poor roofing job. Most companies will require the remainder of payment after they’ve confirmed you’re satisfied with the job.
Insurance, Licensing, and Training
A credible roofing company will always have proof of their liability insurance and proper licensing for you to look at before allowing them to work on your roofing project. This is a dangerous job and you don’t want someone getting hurt on your property – hence, the importance of ensuring their insurance is up-to-date and credible.
Ask for an Estimate
The most professional roofers will provide you with an estimate in writing – if the company refuses, this is a red flag. Look over the written agreement and make sure that any verbal promises have been transcribed and recorded before signing. Always have someone else look over this agreement with you, and make a copy for your records.
Warranty
Asking about warranties will help you determine your long-term plan if anything were to go wrong with your new roof. A Manufacturer Warranty only covers the roofing materials themselves. These warranties are usually around 20 to 50 years and are only covered if there is a defect in the materials used on the repair. There is also a Workmanship Warranty, that can be offered to customers – this type of warranty covers the contractors work or the labor associated with the roof replacement. Always ask about the type of warranties the company will provide and have them supply any corresponding documentation for your records.
Price & Deposit
The lowest price should not be your deciding factor. Consider all of the companies you’ve spoken with and choose the one you feel the most confident in. If you have any additional questions for your contractor, never hesitate to ask – they want to make sure you have a great experience! Once you’ve picked the right roofing contractor, be wary of any company that asks you to pay for the entire job upfront. Typically, you will be asked to provide a deposit of one-third of your final price.
Guarantee and Agreement
Every single aspect of your roofing agreement should be in writing. This includes details of the repair, pricing, any promises made, etc. A credible roofing company will provide you with someone who is able to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you may have before signing the agreement. Before you pay the final installment, make sure you are satisfied with the job and they’ve fulfilled every promise they’ve made.
To protect one of your biggest investments, we urge for you to consider all of these points before hiring just any roofing contractor to work on your home. Your roofing company should be reliable, insured, and able to communicate with you every step of the way!
Our professionals at Jobson Roofing have been serving the Greater Grand Rapids area for decades. Whether it’s time to repair, or replace your roof, we’re looking forward to making the experience successful and enjoyable for you. Get a free estimate.