How to Choose a Quality Roofing Contractor
Installing a new roof is one of the most important, and expensive, home improvement projects you'll run into as a homeowner. Considering this, and since your roof is the first line of defense for your home against the elements, it's important that you hire the best roofing company possible. Roofing contractors are a dime a dozen, so it's important to follow a few basic rules to help you find the most qualified company for the job.
Rule #1: Don't Hire the First Person You Talk To
As with any large home improvement project, you'll want to talk with several roofing companies to ensure you're getting an honest deal before you hire. For roofing projects, it's best to get at least three bids from different roofing contractors just so you'll have a baseline. Also, keep in mind that the least expensive isn't necessarily the best choice. In fact, it's wise to be suspicious of any contractor that undercuts the other bids by a significant amount. It's likely they offer shoddy services or they aren't being honest with you about what the final price is going to be.
Rule #2: Research Credentials
Besides talking to at least three different roofing companies, it's also important that you do a little research on the contractor you choose to hire. Reputable roofing contractors should be licensed and willing to provide you with at least three references verifying that they do good work. Once you've checked your roofing companies out and are satisfied that they're legit, you can rest easy that you're hiring a trustworthy professional for your roofing or re-roofing job.
Rule #3: Review Your Contract and Warranties Closely
Never sign a contract without reading it over carefully. Good roofing contractors won't be annoyed by you taking the time to understand the terms of your agreement, and most will be happy to sit down with you and explain parts you don't understand. Also, make sure you understand the warranty that comes with your new roof. All materials and workmanship should be guaranteed for at least 5 years, and the roofing itself ought to come with a 20 to 40 year warranty, depending on the quality of the material you purchase.
Rule #4: Cover Your Bases
Before work begins, be sure to cover your bases. Check with your contractor about whether you need to acquire a permit or not (most roofing companies will take care of this as part of their service), and make sure their employees are covered by workers comp as well. Finally, if you're submitting an insurance claim on your roof, make certain that you've followed all the necessary procedures and had all work approved before work on your new roof begins.
Rule #5: Never Pay the Entire Balance Up Front
Never pay the entire balance of your new project up front (and this goes for all large projects). If your contractor requires this of you, don't sign the contract. Good roofing companies often won't require you to pay a cent until after all work is done, asking for a deposit as a good faith offering before the work begins is a pretty common and accepted practice.
Rule #6: Enjoy Your New Roof!
Having made sure you've hired the right roofing contractors for the job, you can now sit back and enjoy your new roof worry free for years to come!
