You’ve noticed damage on your roof and need it repaired. While a search of your area may turn up with several roofing contractors. You want to be sure you get a reputable one to work on your home.
Consumer agencies report thousands of roofing contractor scams each year, so you’ll want to ask questions to ensure you get a contractor that is the best fit for your budget and needs.
Business Ownership
One of the first questions you should ask a potential roofing contractor is how long they have been in business. While newer businesses could still be reputable, you’ll probably want seasoned veterans in the field to ensure the work is done properly.
You’ll also want to get their physical address and phone number, which you likely would already have found during your search.
Any roofing contractor that can’t provide a physical address should set off a red flag. Also, be wary of contractors who give a PO box instead of a physical address of their business.
License and Insurance
One of the first things you’ll want to ask about is their licensing and insurance. In most states, roofing contractors are required to hold a valid license in that state in order to perform work.
What about insurance? A reputable roofing contractor may carry several kinds of insurance. One of the first types of insurance you should ask about is workman’s compensation insurance.
You don’t want to be held liable for any injuries that happen on your property if they don’t carry workman’s comp! It is required for roofing contractors to provide workman’s comp insurance to their employees, but some may try to skip out on it to save money and just take their chances.
Do they carry general liability insurance? Workman’s comp is great for the employees in case of injury on the job, but what happens if your property gets damaged? If the contractor doesn’t carry general liability insurance, you’ll be responsible for fixing the damage done by someone else to your property!
Removal
Ask them if they will remove your old roof. Some contractors may try to skip out on removing the old roof and simply place new shingles on the old one. This can lead to problems in the future if the damage isn’t taken care of the old roof before new shingles are placed.
You shouldn’t be responsible for disposing of any refuse material or providing the container to throw it away in so ask them what they do with the refuse material. You don’t want hidden charges for disposal!
Warranties
New shingles carry a pretty long-lifespan when installed properly. What is the warranty on your new roof? That is a question you won’t want to miss. Since brand new shingles last awhile, be cautious of any warranties on them less than 20 years or so.
Your contractor may also offer a warranty on their work separately from the warranty on the shingles. If they do, you’ll want to ask what it covers and get the warranty in writing.
Payments
Before you ever sign a contract with someone, be sure to ask about payments. You don’t want the project to be underway only to find out they don’t accept your preferred payment method!
Some contractors won’t accept personal checks, but most accept cash and card as payments. Find out what your contractor accepts and plan accordingly.
Contact a Shamrock Roofing location near you for questions or to schedule a cost-free exterior home inspection.