Home   |   Careers   |   Contact
Home   |   Careers   |   Contact

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Blog

Finding a reliable contractor is one of the most important parts of getting your roof repaired or replaced. In other words, the better the contractor, the better your roof repair. Sometimes it can be complicated to find a dependable contractor who is qualified to work on your roof. To ensure you hire a qualified and reputable contractor, you may want to ask this series of questions during the hiring process:

1) How Long Have You Been in Business? 

A roofing contractor who has been in business for several years should be able to provide a job portfolio of work they have completed in the past with astounding results. They should also be able to provide you with job references for work well done. A contractor who has been in business for a while should make you feel confident, and you can rest assured that any obstacle that comes their way, they will be able to tackle it in a professional manner.

2) Are You Licensed? 

The difference between a licensed and an unlicensed contractor may greatly affect your roofing repair experience. Licensed contractors often have to pass examinations and pay fees to obtain certification. 

If you hire a licensed contractor, you can rest assured because not only will they know a thing or two about construction, they will also be informed about laws and regulations. For instance, hiring a contractor who isn’t aware you need a building permit can be bad news and cause legal issues in the long run. Not only will a licensed contractor know if you need a building permit, but can help you acquire one as well.

3) Are You Insured? 

Hiring a contractor with insurance is essential. The insurance is for any personal injury or property damage that may occur while the contractor is working on your property. If you, a neighbor, or even another contractor gets hurt while they are working on your property, the contractor’s insurance should cover all medical expenses. Not only is insurance important in case of personal injury, but it is also important in case the contractor causes damage to your property or even your neighbor’s property. Ask to see a copy of their insurance document as visible proof that they are indeed insured.

4) Do You Offer a Warranty? 

Every contractor has a different warranty policy, so it is very important that you discuss warranty details before work actually begins. The length of a warranty can be anywhere from two years to a lifetime. The length of a warranty will depend on the type of work that is completed and the materials used. For example, a metal roof is going to have a longer warranty than an asphalt shingle roof. It’s also important to ask if the warranty is a limited warranty or a full warranty. Warranties can be negotiable, so you and your contractor can discuss this subject before and during your roofing repair project.

5) Can You Give References? 

Ask your contractor for references on jobs he/she has completed within the last six months. This will provide you with essential information about the work you can expect from your chosen contractor. This can provide you with a plethora of information about the work completed, such as whether or not the work was satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and how long it took to complete the job. You can also contact your contractor’s previous clients and can ask them questions about the contractor’s work. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect.

6) Will You Work with My Insurance Company  

With roofing contractors specifically, many times the contractor will work with your insurance for you. Not only does this make repairing roof damages easier for the client, but hassle-free as it’s eliminating “the middle man”.

7) Can I View Some of Your work? 

Asking if there’s a project they’re currently working on that you can view, will give you some insight. You will get an idea of how fast their workers complete projects and how efficiently they work together. Take notice of how they dispose of waste and how well they clean up their space.

8) Are You Bonded? 

Many people forget to ask their contractor this question. It’s important to know if your contractor is bonded in the unfortunate event that you would need to file a claim against him or her. For instance, if the contractor doesn’t execute the job to your standards, you can file a claim against the company. If the contractor is licensed, then typically they are bonded as well, but asking this question will give you assurance and peace of mind.

9) Do You Hire Subcontractors? 

Many contractors hire employees and some hire subcontractors–this ensures that the company has enough workers to complete their job assignments. Typically, contractors who have employees have a better understanding of their workers and have their background information. Quite often, subcontractors work on a temporary basis, so you may not know who is working on your roof on a particular day.

10) Who Should I Contact for Questions? 

Know your contractor’s contact information such as their address and phone number. Obtaining their email address is also vital because you may have questions and need information. Obtaining this information is one of the first things you should do during your roofing repair project. Having this information early on will save you a lot of time searching the internet later. 

After your contractor has answered all of these ten questions, you should feel confident that you have chosen a great contractor. You should, however, conduct your own research and search for reviews on your roofing contractor; these reviews can be found on Google or the business bureau website. Studying the reviews and learning information about the roofing contracting company can provide you with essential information about the company, and whether they are reputable. The next time you’re looking for a roofing contractor, use these questions to ensure a qualified roofing contractor and a nicely repaired roof.