QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Your roof protects your most valuable possessions. So when it comes to the type of roofing you’ll get, materials used and quality should be your top priority. You also need the right set of hands to do the best job for you. However, choosing the best roofing contractor is not an easy task.

Every year, the Better Business Bureau receives a lot of complaints regarding roofing companies. Unfortunately, many states don’t have strict guidelines regarding roofers, so you as the buyer are essentially left in a “buyer beware” type of situation.

This is because the cost of entry into the roofing industry is relatively affordable, which provides room for many untrained contractors and some who are deceptive. To sift through the many contractors at your disposal, you should know how to ask the right questions.

A contractor who can’t answer many questions should be a red flag. As a consumer, you want to know as much as you can about the type of roofing you’re getting. It’s your contractor’s job to ensure you are versed in whatever installation they will make. The following are 14 questions you should ask your roofing contractor that they should have an answer to:

1. HOW LONG HAS YOUR ROOFING COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?

When looking up roofing contractors in your area, it’s wise to go for ones that have been around for quite some time instead of young companies. Often, the older ones have a lot more experience with roofing and pricing than newer companies.

2. WHAT KIND OF ROOFING INSURANCE DO YOU HAVE?

Simply asking the contractor if they have insurance won’t do it as they might lie. Dig a little deeper by asking them if they have worker’s insurance in case of any issue, such as one of the contractors falling over.

3. HAVE YOU WORKED ON OTHER JOBS NEARBY THAT I CAN LOOK AT?

Inquire if they can take you to see other projects they’ve worked on before so that you can get a feel of what they do.

4. WHAT LEVEL OF TRAINING DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE?

Asking your contractor’s level of training helps you determine whether they have the proper skillset and experience to handle the job correctly.

5. ARE THERE ANY OTHER CUSTOMERS YOU’VE WORKED WITH BEFORE I CAN SPEAK TO?

A contractor who can refer you to some of their previous clients for reviews is a good choice.

6. DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING TO TAKE ON THIS JOB?

An unlicensed contractor might be cheaper, but a licensed one will give you your money’s worth.

7. CAN YOU PROVIDE YOUR COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION; YOUR COMPANY’S FULL NAME, PHONE NUMBER, AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS

Always hire local contractors since they are familiar with all the roofing installation codes in the area.

8. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY FOR THIS JOB?

Ask the contractor the kind of warranty they offer on their products and workmanship.

9. WHO IS ASSIGNED TO MY PROJECT?

Ask for the person who’ll be handling your job. Ensure they are not passing it off to an inexperienced person or a subcontractor.

10. WHEN WOULD YOU SCHEDULE MY JOB?

Ask them for a clear schedule so that you can align yours with theirs and avoid contractors showing up at your doorstep when you have guests.

11. HOW LONG WILL MY ROOFING TAKE?

Roofing is an essential aspect of the home. You, therefore, should ask them how long they’ll take to finish the work.

12. HOW WILL YOU ESTIMATE THE TOTAL COST OF MY PROJECT?

Ask about the factors that go into determining the price of a roofing job.

13. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE PAYMENT?

Inquire if they have any contracts, payment channels they use, and receipts that clearly state the work they did against the amount needed.

14. WHO CAN I TALK TO IN CASE OF ANY ISSUES?

You need to know who you’ll be talking to in case of any issues. If they direct you to the company owner, you’re assured that your problem is their problem and that they would handle it efficiently.

To get the right roofing company, you’ll have to do your due diligence first. After all, your roof keeps everything in, so you need it intact even after five years. So ask as many questions as possible to be aware of what is going into your next roofing job and who is handling it.