How to Choose a Roofing Contractor
Need to Find a Good Roofer?
Installing a new roof is one of the most important, and expensive, home improvement projects you’ll run into as a homeowner. It and your siding is the first line of defense for your home against the elements. Whether you need a quick repair or a complete replacement, you’ll want to hire a trustworthy roofing pro. Here are a few tips to help you find — and work with — your contractor.
When Do I Need to Find a Roofer?
There are a few reasons you might need a roofer:
installation or replacement
repair
maintenance and inspection
Remember that these companies, especially independent contractors, often specialize in repairs or replacement. An installer might not have much experience with repair, and vice versa. Make sure that the one you hire knows how to work with the material you have (or want).
New Roof Installation or Replacement
A roof will last 20 to 50 years. Afterward, it usually requires replacement. The cost to replace or install a roof ranges from $5,200 to $10,100. High-end materials may cost more
Roofing Repair
The price to repair a roof runs $350 to $1,300. If it is leaking, sagging or showing other signs of damage, you may need a pro to fix it. Many professionals will perform this work on one they installed. If you need to a hire a pro different from the installer, be sure to look for companies that offer repair.
Roofing Maintenance and Inspection
Hiring a pro for a roof inspection or to provide routine maintenance can increase its lifespan. The expense to hire a roof inspector averages about $200. You may want to arrange service every 6 to 18 months, depending on the material. Some companies offer maintenance plans when you get a new one, but many don’t perform this service.
Steps For Choosing The Best Roofing Contractor
A house is a safe haven which protects your family from harsh weather and provides security. Compromising your family with the use of poor quality roofing solutions can be costly and risky too. That’s why its advisable to use good quality roofing services and ensure you obtain good workmanship. Getting roofing repairs every now and then is a costly affair
Looking for a roofing contractor.
Word of mouth is always the best method of acquiring accurate details of a contractor. Friends, family & relatives, colleagues and neighbors can be a great source of information. Ask them about the roofing contractor they’ve used in the past. They will be more than willing to assist you.
License Verification
Check if he has a license and if yes, check whether its up-to-date. This can be done by contacting the license board. The contractors’ website is also another great source where you can check the type of licensing required for roofing contractors.
Ask for his identification documents
He should prove that he is legal by giving you his business address, tax identification number or his phone number.
Check if he has an Insurance cover
The insurance should include a worker’s compensation and liability coverage. Its not a good idea to hire an uninsured contractor.
How To Choose The Best Roofer
Choosing the best roofer for a home should be a concentrated and intense search; after all, the average homeowner replaces his roof well, he never replaces it. And his search is therefore not for a competent roofer, but for the best there is. This is a lifetime investment hes deciding upon. And surprisingly enough, the rules that usually apply to getting a good deal in other areas may not be the best ideas, or yield the best deal, in this case
The first rule most people have whenever theyre buying anything is to buy it from whoever gives the cheapest price. Statistically, however, the best roofers are not cheap. The cheapest roofer isnt likely to do the best or most permanent job. His business may be a novice one and just getting off the ground; the temptation that hits many new companies is to offer the cheapest bids on contractual jobs such as roofing. How do they make the bid work? They use the cheapest materials and cut corners, definitely not what one wants in a lifetime investment.
Since one doesnt want a new roofer to work at the homeowners expense, its best to shop around for a middle – of – the – road price range, and a roofer that has credentials, references and a portfolio (all of which should be on his website) showing that he does good, competent and long – lasting work. Obviously the best roofers still want to stay in business, and that means offering competitive prices, but they still will do the job in the best and most competent way after all, their reputation follows them.
The second rule most people have is, local businesses are not as good as a national chain. Again, not true. Local roofers are usually the ones who have the inside information on permits and insurance for roofing. For example, in a hurricane – prone area, the licenses, permits and insurance will be far different, and probably more expensive, than other areas of the country. A local man will know the ins and outs of the business far more effectively than a national chain will.
The third rule: avoid family businesses, since they rip you off if youre not family. This one is absolutely untrue; a generational roofing business is ideal to use. It has been around for quite a while, no one employed there is a novice just learning his trade, and the business has, in all probability, a sterling reputation with the local community . Theyve been at it long enough that they know what theyre good at, and so do their customers.
Tips For Choosing The Best Roof Repair Professionals
If your home has a gaping hole in its roof following a major windstorm and due to a falling tree, getting the damages repaired is probably a top concern. Don’t make the mistake of hiring the first roof repair service that you come across. The roof is by far one of the most costly parts of your home to replace, and it is also your home’s very first line of defense against the natural elements which means that you’ll need to use discretion while searching. After all, spending just a few days and nights with a short-term fix is far better than spending years with a shabby and poorly patched roof.
You Should Always Ask For Recommendations
Check-in with your co-workers, neighbors, friends, and relatives. You’ll get the best and most helpful references from consumers that have used roof repair companies in the past. Try to speak with people who’ve used roofing services some time ago so that you can see how the work is holding up and the overall condition of their roofs.
Check The BBB And Other Online Review Platforms
Always check a roofing company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. If a roof repair company is not listed on BBB.org, then you probably shouldn’t trust it. This is something that you will likely run into a lot following a significant storm, when roofers who are working out of their trucks start canvassing neighborhoods, looking for projects to pick up. These individuals do not have the qualifications for roof replacement, but they realize that many homeowners are desperate for solutions.
Request Licensing Info And Proof Of Insurance
Fly-by-night roofers do not have all of the proper documentation for their businesses. You should work with contractors who can provide proof of insurance, including both workers compensation and liability. Insurance is essential because legal action is always a possibility when accidents occur on the job, or if issues arise after the work crew is done
Learn More About The Designations Of Manufacturers
Find out if roofing contractors have any accreditation from manufacturers. This means that roofers have met specific requirements for obtaining factory certification. This isn’t something that every roofer has, but it does show a personal dedication to the craft, and it is an additional stamp of approval.
Tips for How to Choose the Right Roofing Contractor
Getting a roof repaired or replaced is a large investment, so it’s important that you get the job done by the right roofing contractor. It takes careful consideration and research to choose a good roofing company.
Read Local Reviews
A good place to start is to read customer reviews of local roofing contractors. A couple of good review sites to check include Yelp and Google My Business. Once you find a few roofing contractors with good reviews, you can move on to the next steps
Check their BBB Rating
A good business will always be registered with the Better Business Bureau. Check for a high BBB rating and whether or not the company’s been registered with the BBB for a long time
Look for Association Memberships
All roofing organizations require that contractors meet strict standards in order for them to retain membership within the organization. If the contractor belongs to one or more roofing association, you can be sure that they’re dedicated to meeting high standards for their work.
Ask for References
Roofing contractors should be able to provide you with references. Ask them for 3-5 references and make sure that they check out