It is quite a stressful and time-consuming thing to replace the roof on your home, but one of the biggest obstacles is to choose who will replace or fix their roof. After a strong storm or if your roof is simply quite old, you will need someone to perform the necessary repairs or to completely replace your roof, however, that does not mean that you should simply choose the first person on the list. You will need someone honest, professional, and trustworthy.
This might sound like a difficult and confusing task, but that is where the tips come in. Here are some of the most important things to think about when choosing a roofing company:
1. Get local referrals – there will be lower chances of potential problems or scams when you choose a contractor that is from your community. They will be more familiar with the local rules and regulation, and they will have a good relationship with the local suppliers and crews.
Img source: ttf.co.uk
2. Look for manufacturer designations – these are considered a “badge of honor” since all contractor need to pass a certain minimum requirement to be certified. GAF enforces their top designations by allowing only 2% of roofing contractors to be recognized as a Master Elite Contractor.
3. Research better business bureau ratings – some contractors will knock on your door right after a big storm settles down. They will be looking for work and it is quite important to check the business bureau rating website. You will be able to make sure that they have a good score and you will also be able to stay away from those who are not on the BBB rating list. All contractors need to have and maintain good ratings with BBB in order to have their certifications.
4. Get an extensive warranty – not every company can offer manufacturer warranties that will include coverage of the company’s skill. If the contractor does not install your new roof properly (and it might take several months or years for the damage to be noticed), the insurance will not pay for it. Also, if the contractor does not want to come back and fix it, you might end up paying for the repairs from your wallet.
Img source: galvanroofing.com
5. Worry about the safety – a company without training or safety programs are not good for the job of replacing your roof. There are national training that will train professionals to know and understand how safety programs work, as well as to train other people in these fields as well.
6. Check for licensing and insurance – all contractors need to have insurance for all their employees and they should provide a copy of the insurance for validation. By not having proper insurance, it could lead to litigation between the homeowner and the contractor if an employee is injured in their home. Almost all states will require licensing for contractors, but that will not stop unlicensed ones from performing roofing jobs.
7. Pay your deductibles – any company that claims that they can handle the repair without the homeowner paying for the insurance deductible is committing insurance fraud. The insurance deductible should be paid by the insured, and the contractor should reflect that in the price estimate without adding to the estimate to cover all or some parts of the deductible.
