How to Find the Right Roofing Contractor to Replace your Roof

Written by Posted On Monday, 17 July 2017 13:04

The biggest issue that homeowners face when trying to replace or fix a roof is the problem of choosing the right company for the work. After a storm, a damaged roof has to be repaired as quickly as possible. Caution should be taken select any a good professional roofing company. Finding a contractor, that is trustworthy and does a good job while not overcharging is difficult. Listed below are a few tips for homeowners to help choose the right roofing contractor

Insurance and licensing are compulsory.

Ask the contractor about the liability insurance, workers compensation, they should have insurance for all its employees and subcontractors and should be able to provide a copy of their insurance certificate. Call and check if the certificates are valid as not having valid certification can lead to litigation problem between the contractor and homeowner if an employee doing the roofing gets hurt during the work. If the state has a mandatory insurance requirement, make sure the contractor provides a copy of the license and check its validity online.

Choose a local contractor

Choosing a contractor that is local implies that they have a reputation in the community that they have to maintain to stay running. This ensures less chance of the company cheating or causing potential issues which damage reputations. They are also much more familiar with the local rules and regulations and are well acquainted with the crew and suppliers in the area.

Lower price is not necessarily good

Do not choose a roofing company solely based on price. Any company with overhead such as insurance has to price their services to cover such costs. Customers that pick a roofer based on the price ultimately end up spending more to fix problems which would have otherwise been covered by a guarantee by the established roofing company.

Avoid Door to Door Roofers

These roofing agencies just canvas and sell the services offered by others. The better option is to pick a roofer from a sign post in the local area or from a referral. Many of these roofers demand a sign on the letter of intent when a homeowner has roofing damage. This is not necessary to sign. No decision should be taken without complete assessment of the damage.

Get the job requirements written up in detail

It is essential to make sure that there is full satisfaction with the result of the work and the terms of payment. Ideally, it is better to pay only after the work is completed to the customer's satisfaction. A clear idea of how long the work will take, how big the crew that will work on the job is should be determined.

Communication is very important

Make sure they are proactive with returning calls, providing documentation, and any other interactions. If they do not communicate properly make sure to inform the company representative about the issue and if there is no improvement in the interaction, then it is best to not to give the work to them, because once they have your commitment they will probably be even worse at communicating and following through with their promises.

Better Business Bureau ratings.

Before working with the contractors, look up the company rating on the BBB website. Avoid any contractors who are not on the BBB website as there is a chance they might not be a legitimate roofing company.

Get an extensive warranty

The best deal is when contractors can offer manufacturer warranties which include coverage or guarantee of their workmanship. If the roof incorrectly, it may not even be known for months or years to come to notice and insurance will not cover the cost of improperly installed roofing. If the contractor offers a guarantee then the cost of the damage will be paid by the contractors themselves if they offer a guarantee.

Safety Concern

Never hire a contractor without a safety or training program as it is often a huge concern when working on a roof may not be the best person for your job. GAF sponsors a unique national training organization called the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE), which has trained more than 200,000 professionals. GAF is the only roofing manufacturer with a dedicated team of trainers in the industry.

Paying Insurance Deductibles.

Any contractor claiming that they can handle repairs without the homeowner having to pay an insurance deductible is, committing insurance fraud and risking the homeowner with facing legal action. The insurance deductible should always be stated in the contractor's quote without inflating the estimate to cover the deductible.

House owners should handle their own claim

In most states, it is illegal to act on behalf of homeowners, so this should not be a part of services offered by the contractors. Acting on behalf of owners, when negotiating an insurance claim, can lead to potential legal action against the homeowner.

Know your material choices.

A contractor should always be able to offer different shingle options. The style, color, and specifications of the shingles used often affect the resale value of a home. If an insurance company is paying for a new roof it may be better to change and upgrade a better style.

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