Has your roof sprung a leak? Are your tiles old
and corroded? Are you looking to improve the look of your home for sale or for
personal enjoyment? It might be time to invest in a little TLC for your home
and fix that pesky roof damage that you’ve been ignoring.
We’ve all heard horror stories about roofing
companies that did less than exemplary work. Or perhaps you’re a new homeowner
and aren’t sure what a fair estimate would be to fix the damage to your home.
These are all reasons why people don’t call a local roofing company. But
believe us, this isn’t a project that you want to do yourself. The best plan of
action is to hire trained roofing professionals who will perform good, quality,
work. But where are they and how do you find them?
If you’re planning a new roof repair, but feel
stuck on how to pick the right local roofing company, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the five things you need to keep in mind when picking a roofing
company to do business with. If you stick to these key factors, you’re sure to
be happy with the results.
1. Select
licensed professionals
This might seem simple, but working with a local
roofing company that is fully credentialed and accredited means that you will
be working with a staff who is trained in this specialty. You should make sure
that whichever company you chose, that they are fully licensed and are in good
standing.
If you’re unsure which licensing your state
requires, a quick online search to verify what requirements are necessary in
your area is a simple way to know what to look for. It is also helpful to reach
out to your state licensing agency, who can share if the company has any past
complaints on record and if these issues have been resolved.
2. Work
with a company that carries two types of insurance
Applying roofing materials and handling specialty
machinery can be dangerous for even the most skilled professional, which is why
we all can benefit from having a safety net and your roofing company is no
acception.
A good residential roofing company will carry
both worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance.
Worker’s compensation insurance makes sure that
any employee of your contractor will be covered in case of emergency, not to
mention, medical bills should an injury occur. Though the price of worker’s
compensation insurance can be pricey (which is a reason why some companies
choose to forego this step), it is highly regarded as essential for you as a
consumer. Otherwise you might be at risk for assuming medical responsibility.
Liability is the second type of insurance that
your roofing company needs. This covers any damage that might happen to your
home while it’s being repaired. While relatively rare, accidents do happen.
Make sure you ask to see a copy of your
contractor’s worker’s compensation and liability license and keep yourself
protected.
3. Ask to
see your contractor’s references
In the time of Yelp reviews or Angie’s List, a
reference might seem a little old-fashioned. But any reputable contractor will
be able to give you a few legitimate references who can explain their
experience working with that company.
Just make sure you ask the right questions. Such
as:
●
Did your roofing expert go over
time or budget?
●
Were you satisfied with your
experience?
●
Was your contractor readily
available? (Did they pick up the phone when you called, answered emails
promptly?)
●
What time did construction begin
each day and were the workers on time?
●
Do any problems occur and how was
the situation resolved?
Don’t be afraid to ask for pictures of past work,
so that you get a clear picture of what kind of work your contractor does. A good
contractor should have plenty of examples to show.
4. Get
your contract in writing
As much as we value the old sentiment of making a
business deal on a handshake, and no matter how much you like and trust your
contractor, you must always get your contract in writing.
A written contract not only holds you responsible
for timely payment, it makes sure that expectations of the cost, the amount of
time, and the desired results of the work are clearly stated.
Make sure that any written documentation you sign
contains the full name and contact information of the company you are working
with, description of the work being performed, breakdowns in price of labor and
materials, and the agreed upon work schedule. Don’t get stuck in renovation
purgatory and make sure that you get it all out on paper.
5. Find
someone with vision
While you probably aren’t looking for a
renovation that could rival Versaille, making sure that you and your roofing
contractor are on the same page about what your repair will look like is key.
Ask you contractor about his or her work plan and
as clearly as possible, set an expectation of what the work will look like.
This is also a good time to test your contractor’s communication skills, which
becomes more important as the project progresses.
You want to make sure that you’ll be working with
someone who has a clear plan for your home and is easily accessible if there is
a problem. Ideally, you want to find someone who is passionate about the work
that they do and can speak highly of the work that they’ve done in the past.
Make sure the roofing company you select is
licensed, insured, and has trained professionals who will excel in bringing the
spark back to your home. Take the time to select the best repair options for
your home that will achieve the vision and goals you have set for your future.
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