A good and sturdy roof is like a safety vault that keeps all your possessions safe. However, as an average homeowner with no knowledge about roofing, you can only trust your roofing contractor to use the best materials and the latest procedures to build a solid roof. That is why it is very important to deliberate carefully while choosing your roofing contractor. A wrong choice can result in serious consequences and big losses.
The key things to be kept in mind while selecting a contractor to replace or repair your existing roof or install the roof of your new home include:
- Depending on the legal stipulations of the place you live in, you should look for a suitably licensed and bonded roofing contractor. You should ask for documentation to verify the company’s claims. It is better to go in for a well-established roofer who has earned a good reputation in the industry.
- To safeguard yourself from a roofing accident, you should choose a roofing company that carries workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance. The services of a contractor who does not carry insurance will be cheaper. You have to decide whether you want to save a little now and carry the future risk by hiring such a contractor.
- Get recommendations and suggestions from friends, neighbors, relatives, colleagues, insurance agents, etc. companies offering highly satisfying services get great word of mouth publicity.
- Check out your chosen company’s standing with Better Business Bureau, Home Builders’ Association and other relevant organizations. If any complaints are lodged against it, you will stand forewarned.
- Reviews and testimonials of past customers are good indicators of the level of expertise and customer service offered by the roofer. You should ask about the company’s recent customers and get in touch with some of them to get their opinions. Do enquire about the contractor’s handling of customers’ complaints.
- Ask for a comprehensive estimate given in writing including essential details such as quantity of materials required, labor charges, payment procedures, project beginning and completion dates, etc.
- Enquire about the manufacturer’ warranties and the workmanship warranty offered by the contractor.
- Try to find a good roofing contractor that is located near your place. This will help in faster and better services.
Installing or replacing a roof is a major investment and you cannot be too careful with choosing the correct contractor to do it. Search in a popular online local business directory for the roofing companies in your region and evaluate them on the basis of the fore-mentioned criteria to make the right decision.
