9 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

1. Will they provide references?

If a potential roofing service provider won’t provide references, there’s likely a reason for that. Most reputable contractors will be willing to give a list of satisfied clients. Ideally, you will want contact information for at least three clients they have worked with in the past six months. Don’t just take the references at face value.

2. How long have they been in business?

This question can provide a great deal of information. Newer companies aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, sometimes they will be less expensive because they need to build up a client base. However, with that lower price come more risks since the company is less established.

3. Are they local?

A local roofing company is more likely to stand by their work and be available to you if you have questions or issues. They are a part of the community. That means they have a reputation to protect.

4. Will they put it in writing?

A written contract protects you and ensures you get what you were promised. Reputable roofing contractors should be willing to put in writing the scope of the work and any other particulars to which they agree.

5. Are they licensed, insured, and bonded?

The answer to all 3 of these questions should be ‘yes.’ Let’s look at what each of them means. Licensed: This means a contractor has registered with the state board of contractor licensing.

Insured: All contractors should have insurance to cover themselves and their work. For example, if a worker is injured on your property, this insurance covers that, removing some or all of your liability.

Bonded: Contractors work with bonding companies that guarantee work is performed correctly and ethically. If your contractor fails to finish a job or doesn’t correctly perform the work, this bond gives you some recourse.

6. What warranty do they provide for their work?

If they don’t trust their own work, you shouldn’t trust it either. That’s why it is essential to find a roofing contractor that stands by their work. Warranties range from non-existent to 25 years or more. This is different from the warranty or guarantee that comes with the product and applies only to problems associated with the work performed.

7. Are they certified by shingle manufacturers, especially the brand you plan to use?

Shingle manufacturers will typically select several contractors in a given area to receive their certification. Often the manufacturer will research to find roofing contractors with the best reputations and track records in a community.

8. Is your property protected from damage, and if so, how?

If your roofing contractor doesn’t take proper precautions, materials from demolition can damage your property. Ask potential contractors if they use tarps to protect lawns, landscaping, light fixtures, etc.

9. When will the work be performed?

You will want to know how quickly they can begin work and what their schedule will be. Will they work weekends? What time do they start and finish each day? How long will the project take? While unexpected issues can create delays, it is essential to discuss the schedule and timeline so you know what to expect.

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