If you have no roof replacement experience, lack proper tools, and want to ensure no underlying issues—hire professionals. But, deciding which company to go for can be difficult.
There are important factors we need to consider. So, before calling for a consultation, consider the following:
Look For Qualified Roofing Contractors
Choosing qualified roofers should be the standard for roof replacements. Each state has its own qualifications. If you’re looking to hire professionals, see if they meet the following criteria:
- Has a lot of experience
- Is licensed in your area
- Can provide references
- Willing to offer estimates in writing
- Bonded – A contractor’s financial guarantee that a contract will be fulfilled in full.
What to Ask Roofing Contractors During Consultations
After making a list of qualified contractors in your area, it’s time to give them a call and ask for a consultation. Most companies will give one for free. During the consult, you can ask them:
- Do you give free on-site inspections?
- What types of roofing do you offer?
- Can you provide a written estimate after the inspection?
- Are you covered by a manufacturer’s warranty?
- What do you do with the old roofing material?
- Do you charge a disposal fee or just recycle them?
- What mode of payment do you accept?
- Do you take before and after photos?
- Can I see references to previous work?
- What does your insurance cover?
5 Tips For Choosing The Right Roofing Professionals
After narrowing down your choices, it’s time for you to decide which company to go for. But before you do, here are some tips to help you objectively pick the right roofers for you.
Check License and Insurance
States like texas don’t require licensed roofers. So, if you’re living in a state that doesn’t require licensing, ask for references or examples of past work.
More importantly, ask if they have liability insurance in case of accidents. Hiring contractors without insurance can put both the workers and your family at risk.
There will also be cases of door-to-door bids. This is when roofers visit an area hit by natural calamities like storms or hail.
When they reach out to you to repair or replace your damaged roof, be sure to look for their license, insurance, and examples of previous work.
Refer to Past Work
If you visit a roofing company’s office, you’ll likely be presented with their repair or replacement portfolios. But, if you can’t visit your roofers personally, you can always check online.
Look through a company’s website or Google My Business (GMB) page and find testimonials, reviews, and photos of before and after comparisons.
Provide Your Roofer with Complete Details
It’s best to treat your consultations with professional roofers like you would a visit to the doctor. You don’t want to skip out on any details, no matter how minor you think it is. Don’t speculate.
Present every detail as best you can and let the professionals assess. Ask if they offer free on-site consults so they can get a better look. Afterward, you can ask for a written estimate.
Ask for Written Estimates
No matter how minor or severe the damage is, always ask for a written estimate from the roofing company. This allows you to plan ahead financially and avoid hidden costs.
When issues come up, you can refer to the quote so both you and the roofers stay on track. Naturally, the price can vary from the estimates but it’s better to have a range you can work on.
The estimates should include material costs, labor, price breakdowns, payment agreements, and insurance coverage.
Have a Timeline
A proper timeline, specified in writing on your contracts, helps both parties know what to expect. You wouldn’t want to get strung along in a project taking longer than it should.
Delays can happen even in perfect settings. But, before starting the roof replacement process, certain expectations need to be met so the project can run more optimally.
Consider estimated completion dates, prep work, and milestones. Lastly, schedule a final run-through to ensure everything’s as you wanted it to be.
Key Takeaways
Hiring professional roofers is your best bet to ensure your roof replacements are done right and without any issues. Before signing any contract, ask for the following:
- Licenses and Insurance
- Examples of Past Work
- Written Estimates
- Timeline
