Would you like to avoid the headache and stress of trying to figure out how to find a roofing contractor? If so, then this blog post is for you! We’ll cover the top 8 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor before making your decision.
Questions like these would come to your mind: what roofing material is best for me, is the roofing contractor bonded, are you hiring a local contractor, how long have the contractors been in business, do they cover workmanship warranty, if there’s any contact person, if the contractor is certified, if the contractor has sample works to show and how they can protect your property.
More questions of concern arise, and so on…
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
As you embark on your roofing journey, it is important to ask many questions.
Some of the most common ones are in this article and their answers will help guide what type or style best suits your needs!
1. Are You Licensed and Bonded?
This is an important question to ask your contractor.
You want a roofing company that will stand by their work and not disappear after the job has been completed and you have paid them in full.
- A bonded roofer also means they carry insurance for liability, property damage, worker’s compensation and other protective measures against accidents or injury while on site.
- Many roofing companies carry errors and omissions insurance to protect themselves against homeowner claims of shoddy workmanship.
- This is a good sign that the contractor will stand by their product and services for at least 30 years.
- A certified professional may also offer other benefits, such as liability coverage if they are an employee of another company or have a successful track record as a roofing contractor.
When you choose to go with an unlicensed, uninsured and untested company without having the proper coverage in place for your project, there is no accountability if something goes wrong or they perform work that does not meet industry standards.
2. Is Your Business Local?
Do they have a physical location or do you contact them via phone, email and text?
- Can the contractor show up on time with all of his tools and supplies in-tow for your project without any delays due to travel time?
- Is it possible that he can also help with other jobs at your home if needed, such as a siding job, windows and other exterior work?
- These are all signs of good communication and professionalism.
- A local contractor will most likely be responsive to your needs in timely fashion with quality results for the duration of their visit.
- A company that does not have an actual physical address or presence can also mean they may not be as reliable or trustworthy.
- They may not show up when they said they would, or worse yet – do only the bare minimum and disappear without completing all of their contracted work for you!
- If your contractor is local to your area, it’s also possible that he can recommend other contractors in related fields such as landscaping and concrete if need be.
Having a local contractor is also advantageous to you.
You won’t have to worry about coordinating travel time or extra costs for overtime, and they will know the area well enough that your current landscaping or other exteriors features may not pose an issue with their work schedule.
Local contractors are familiar with local building codes, inspectors and utility providers.
If your contractor is local to where you live, they may even know the area well enough that they can recommend a good roofing company for you.
It’s always better to ask around and get multiple opinions on who will provide quality service at an affordable rate!
3. How Long Have Your Contractor Been In Business?
A contractor who is just starting out may not have the experience to handle your roofing project safely and successfully.
- Working with an established company that has been in business for at least five years means they are more likely to be able to provide quality service related to local building codes, inspectors and utility providers.
- If you choose a new company that is just getting off the ground, you may not be able to find a local roofing company or inspector if needed.
- A contractor who has been in business for at least five years will have built up enough of a reputation and clientele base with quality workmanship related to your project type.
- This means it’s possible they can also provide references for you, or that they may be able to recommend other contractors in related fields such as landscaping and concrete if need be.
- A company who has been around the block a few times is also more likely to have dealt with any problems before your project even begins. They are much less likely to disappear without completing all of their contracted work for you.
- If your contractor has been in business for a number of years, they will have built up enough experience to handle any problems or issues that arise with your roofing project safely and successfully.
- They should be able to provide references from previous customers if requested as well! This is an easy way to find out how long the company has been in business and how good their customer service is.
Having a contractor with experience also means they can provide you with references if requested, or that it’s possible they may be able to recommend other contractors in related fields such as landscaping and concrete if need be.
It will also give you peace of mind knowing your roofing project is in good hands.
4. Do You Offer Workmanship Warranty?
A contractor who offers workmanship warranty as part of your roofing project means they will be committed to providing quality service and ensuring that your new roof is protected from all types of weather conditions.
- If you choose a company that does not offer this added protection, there’s no way for them to prove how good their customer service really is or if they know how to handle any problems that arise with your roofing project.
- A contractor who offers workmanship warranty will go above and beyond for you, which means they are committed to providing quality service related to building codes, inspectors and utility providers.
- Choosing a company without this protection is an easy way for them to save money on labor costs.
- You need to be able to trust that they will provide the best service possible for your roofing project, and a workmanship warranty gives you peace of mind knowing their commitment to quality.
- Having this protection means they are committed to providing guaranteed customer satisfaction with building codes, inspectors and utility providers as well as any other issues or problems that arise with your roofing project.
It’s an easy way for them to prove how good their customer service really is!
It also gives you peace of mind knowing they are committed to protecting your new roof from all types of weather conditions, which can save both time and money in the long run.
5. Is There an Owner I Can Talk To?
When you choose a contractor that puts an emphasis on customer satisfaction, they will likely have an owner or main office contact available to speak with.
- This is because the company will be run by someone who has their best interest at heart and wants to ensure every aspect of your roofing project goes smoothly from start to finish.
- An owner or main office contact is available to speak with if you choose a contractor that has an emphasis on customer satisfaction.
- This means they will be committed to providing quality service and ensuring that your new roof goes smoothly from start to finish because their best interest lies in making sure the job gets done right.
- Choosing a company without this added protection could mean they are cutting costs on labor which can be a huge problem in the long run. You need to feel confident that they will give your roofing project every attention it deserves!
- It’s an easy way for them to save money on labor costs, which can be a huge problem in the long run if you’re unable to trust that they will give your roofing project every attention it deserves and provide good customer service!
This is because there may be times when problems arise with your roofing project or if issues come up with building permits, inspectors and utility providers.
Having an owner you can speak to ensures that they will go above and beyond for you which means their best interest is in making sure the job gets done right!
6. Are You Shingle Manufacturer Certified?
Choosing a company that is certified by the shingle manufacturer ensures they meet certain standards and will be able to provide quality service for your roofing project.
- An independent certification organization tests, inspects and evaluates products as well as takes samples from each batch of shingles made before allowing manufacturers onto their list.
- It’s an easy way for them to prove how good their customer service really is!
- It also gives you peace of mind knowing they are committed to protecting your new roof from all types of weather conditions, which can save both time and money in the long run.
- A shingle manufacturer certified company ensures they meet certain standards and will be able to provide quality service for your roofing project.
Having this protection means that they will be able to provide guaranteed customer satisfaction with building codes, inspectors and utility providers as well as any other issues or problems that arise with your roofing project.
7. Do You Have References?
Good customer references are proof that they have provided quality service in the past!
A trusted contractor will be happy to provide you with contact information for their previous customers.
- An independent certification organization tests, inspects and evaluates products as well as takes samples from each batch of shingles made before allowing manufacturers onto their list.
- Choosing a company without this added protection could mean they are cutting costs on labor which can be a huge problem in the long run. You need to feel confident that they will give your roofing project every attention it deserves!
They also have references from past customers who prove how good their customer service really is!
It gives you peace of mind knowing they are committed to protecting your new roof from all types of weather conditions, which can save both time and money in the long run.
8. Can You Protect My Property?
A roofing contractor should always do everything possible to protect your property.
You need to ask your contractor what steps they take to protect the things around you, like lawns and light fixtures.
- You need to feel confident that they will give your roofing project every attention it deserves! Choosing a company without this added protection means their best interest lies in making sure you get what you paid for, so there’s no way of knowing if they’ll actually provide quality service or not.
- Choosing a contractor who takes the time to protect your property makes you feel confident that they will go above and beyond for you which means their best interest is in making sure the job gets done right!
- A roofing contractor should always do everything possible to protect your property.
- Not only does this include protecting your new roof but it also includes anything else around them, like lawns and light fixtures.
This will give your project the highest level of craftsmanship that is often required with these types of projects which saves time and money in the long run.
You can always count on roofers to be available when you need them. Once you are ready to choose the roofing company, contact them and get an estimate for your project.
