BECOME A PRO

Issues to keep in mind when hiring a Roofing Contractor

roofing contractor Most roofing repairs are some of the most important home improvement projects you will be hiring a contractor for. Untreated leaks can lead to water damage to your home's walls, ceilings and even floors, and bills will quickly escalate. Poorly insulated or damaged roofs can lead to increase in heating and cooling bills. For this reason it is a good idea to get a regular roof inspection, especially after a home purchase. According to many Chicago roofing contractors, roof damage is especially common after severe weather, such as winterstorms or hurricanes. Again, it is advised to get regular roofing inspections even if no apparent damage is visible.

Here are the things to consider before hiring a roofer:

Get references
When hiring a roofer the best way to hire a reliable contractor is to ask friends, family and neighbors. Chances are if they were satisfied with them, so will you. This may not always be possible, however, such as in cases where a homeowner just moved to an area. In this case it is advised to ask for references from any roofing repairman you are considering to hire. They should be able to provide examples of their work and contacts of the homeowners. Calling the references is recommended, especially for bigger projects.

Only hire licensed contractors
When first dealing with a contractor you are hiring for roof repairs, ask for their license number. This will usually be either on their website, their advertisements, or if it is not they will show their license id on their card, proposal or company letterhead. Be very wary if they are not able to furnish this information. Keep in mind in many states it is illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor, and doing so will put you in legal liability, with a possible lien against your property.

A License Verification
When deciding on what roofing contractor to hire is crucial to determine whether the contractor is properly licensed. The easiest way to do this is to contact your state Registrar of Contractors, they can verify the roofing contractor's license. Make sure that the licensing information on file is current and that there are not many complaints on record against the contractor in question. Please note that a minimal amount of complaints is normal and should not be considered a deterrent from hiring a contractor.

Doing Due Diligence on the Contractor
The Registrar of Contractors and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are both good resources when conducting research prior to hiring, and will give you a quick snapshot of the contractor's background. Doing this is also important, as it will allow you to trust smaller roofing outfits, instead of relying on the brand name of the bigger companies with a more established presence.

Do not let Price and Warranty to be your only guide
While both price and a warranty are important, most trustworthy roofing contractors will offer both a reasonable price as well as full warranty on the project. Do not automatically select the contractor who is offering you the lowest price, as it can incentive contractors who may be looking to cut corners on projects in order to compete on price. While the responsible contractors will still keep a level of professionalism, in a highly competitive area there is a possibility of unscrupulous contractors who attract business purely on price alone.

Understand the contract you are signing
Make sure all the terms and conditions are laid out in any contract that you sign prior to the start of the job. Make sure everything is laid in easy to understand language and not complex legalese, which may be difficult to interpret later. If there are any industry or legal jargon you do not understand, consult a local roofing professional to clear your doubts.

Make sure the contractor is fully insured
Another very important factor to consider is whether the contractor is fully insured to perform roofing repairs in the state. Full liability insurance as well as workers' compensation insurance may be necessary, depending on the state laws. Make sure to verify all insurance requirements in your area, as they do vary state to state. Doing so lets you be safe against any third party lawsuits, if any unfortunate accidents or injuries should occur during the time of the contract.

Keep detailed records and lay out the priorities
It is important to fully document all of your requirements and objectives prior to the start of any roofing repair project. The contractor should provide you with a clearly defined price list, which will include any unforeseen expenditures. The fact that this will be fully documented in writing, lays out the expectations from the contractor in advance and lets you feel safe for the duration of the project.

Request Free Quotes

© 2024 eHARDHAT - All Rights Reserved.