Tips for Selecting a Reputable Roofing Contractor

Feb 4, 2014 | Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roofing

For most homeowners, their house is their most significant investment by far. So when it is time to make a major roofing upgrade or replacement, careful attention should be paid to evaluating potential contractors to ensure professional job results. This means ruling out the typical handyman who may claim to be able to complete the job for less money than a roofing company. No matter how high the quality of the roofing material you choose, improper installation will cause significant problems in the long run, and the expense of fixing the problems will likely exceed the cost of doing the job right in the first place. Thus, choose your installer very carefully.

An excellent way to find a reliable contractor is through discussions with friends and neighbors who have had recent roofing work completed. If they are willing to recommend someone, you can be reasonably confident that you have an excellent place to start. Angie’s List is also a valuable resource for business references or you can ask the business for customer testimonials. Request a meeting with the contractor to review the job needs and your expectations.

You should spend some time before the meeting writing down questions you wish to cover regarding qualifications, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, as well as the competence and experience of the workers who will install the roof. Some roofing manufacturers require that installers have special training or certifications, so this could be a question to raise as well. Also, ensure that the contractor will not send untrained workers to do the installation. And, of course, you should ask for references.

If your roof is to be replaced, removing the existing materials will be the first step. Ask how the contractor plans to clean up after the removal. The last things you want are old nails and broken shingles and tiles scattered around your yard, especially if children are in the area. You don’t want anyone injured by stepping on a rusty nail.

Once you have decided on the installer, it is time to select the materials. Sometimes a contractor will try to get you to study samples of shingles and the like instead of covering his qualifications to do the job. Be very careful in such a situation. You should first establish competence and then turn to materials.

As part of the interview, you should receive a written estimate of the cost to complete the job. Pay attention to how the representative evaluates the work to be done. For example, did he thoroughly inspect the existing roof system, including all the elements such as flashing, chimneys, and exhaust pipes that penetrate the roof? Did he explain how air circulates through the system and how ventilation is provided? Also, be sure to discuss workmanship and manufacturers’ warranty so that you know whom to call in the event of defective materials.

Paying attention to these issues before the roofing project will make things much more manageable. Selecting a competent and experienced professional roofing company will pay long-term dividends in protecting your home from the elements.

Let American Roofing show you what a reputable roofing company looks like. Give us a call today, or complete our online request form for a free estimate on your residential or commercial roofing needs.

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