Selecting a roofing contractor

Firstly, you need to research and make a list of roofing companies in your area. Once you have got this ready, spend a bit of time assessing each contractor based on the criteria listed further below. A top quality, professional roofing company should be more than ready to supply you with the info you need.

When it comes to contacting the roofing contractors, let them know that you are checking out your top 3 picks and would like to get a full quote. They will then know you are serious and treat you accordingly. After some bad experiences with dishonest purchasers, contractors may be looking for a good job to work on.

After the phone call, arrange a face to face meeting to talk about your requirements and also the contractor’s qualifications and experience. You can tell a lot usually just from the way their representative behaves. High quality contractors are proud of their work and should be enthused when presented with the chance of working for a decent client. Once you have found your desired contractor, proceed to ask for and verify the following information before taking a final decison:

Business Name and Address: A high quality, skilled contractor should also give you a phone number and won’t use a drop box address!

Previous Work: The schooling and know-how of a contractor, including the length of time that their company has been operating, are important factors to consider. Newer companies have less to lose in terms of reputation.

Licensed: There are a few states in the US which legally require contracts to be licensed to operate. If this applies to your state, check through on the license numbers you are given; don’t simply take them at face value.

Are they properly insured? Contractors must use liability insurance in the case of an accident and additionally compensation schemes for workers. Failure to have this can lead to serious legal problems not just for them but also potentially for you. Needless to say, your work would not be finished in the case of an accident with an uninsured roofing contractor. Make sure to properly check out the insurance details you are given with the insurance company.

References: As with all business, checking out a few recent independent references is essential to making an informed choice. Don’t be afraid to request a list of recently completed roofing projects and to then follow them up with a phone call.

Request credit scores / references, as this will allow you to check if the company is in danger of collapsing.

Guarantees: Find out what guarantees are available and how strictly they can be enforced. Will the contractor back up their workmanship?

Ultimately, you are looking for a roofing contractor that has a successful track record and long term experience. A capable and accomplished roof contractor should also be able to advise you on the right products to use in your particular case. Last of all, the cheapest bid is not always the best one to go for!