Questions To Ask Your Roofing Contractor
Choosing the roofing contractor that's right for your project can be a stressful ordeal.
You may need a roofing contractor because you're dealing with a leaking or damaged roof, so finding the roofing contractor in your area that's right for you can be extremely overwhelming.
You might not know what makes a roofer reliable or worth their price tag, especially if you're a new homeowner that's never worked with a roofing company before.
In the article below, we will go over a few critical questions you should ask your local roofing contractor before hiring them.
Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
The very first question you should ask potential roofing contractors is if they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
For a roofing crew to be licensed, all they have to do is register with the state's board of licensing contractors.
The price of the job will be influenced by the licenses they'll need.
Being bonded in the roofing industry means that a bonding company knows that a roofing contractor does business ethically and correctly.
Bonding ensures that if the roofing company goes out of business before a job is completed, or if there's a problem with the job and they don't fix it, you can fall back on the bond company.
All roofing contractors should be fully insured with general liability, workman's comp (we'll talk more about these below), and a company vehicle insurance policy on the vehicles they own before they perform any roof repairs or a roof installation.
You can ask to see a physical copy of each.
All roofing contractors that have all three would be more than happy to show you the paperwork.
The state you live in will have its own requirements, and some states might not require their contractors to have all three of them.
Do You Have Workman's Comp Insurance and General Liability Insurance?
It's now required by law for all reputable roofing companies to have workman's compensation insurance for their employees.
But it still doesn't hurt to ask.
Some contractors might cut corners and try to do it without insurance.
That means if an injury happens on your property, during inclement weather, for example, you could be at risk of being held liable for their medical bills.
That's the last thing you need to worry about.
Workman's compensation insurance covers roofing employees while they are on your property, but you'll still need to worry about damage to your actual property due to the roofing job.
Ask to see an insurance certificate from their insurance company or any proof of insurance to verify that they have general liability insurance.
If they do and your roof or property is damaged, you won't be responsible for covering the damage that they caused.
What Is The Address and Physical Location Of Your Business?
If your roofing contractor gives you a PO Box as their physical address, they may not be a legitimate company.
But, working out of a home shouldn't automatically disqualify you from considering the roofing contractor.
Some roofing contractors keep their prices low by reducing overhead.
If you have any suspicions, you can drive by the business office or home of the roofing contractor to see if the premises are well-kept and if they have a decent roof themselves.
A contractor who takes care of his own home is more likely to do better with yours.
Are You A Local Business?
When you start looking for a roofing contractor, you should always pick one that's local to your area.
Make sure your contractor has a local phone number and address so you know how to contact them if you ever have a problem with your roof.
Some out-of-state companies will flood disaster areas after major storms and undercut local roofing prices.
They take your money, do the job as quickly as possible, and leave town waiting for the next disaster to hit.
These companies aren't concerned with their workmanship, local codes, and if they do an excellent job on your roof.
However, a reputable company in your hometown will be familiar with building codes, they'll complete all the required paperwork, and they'll do everything they can to ensure your job is done right the first time.
Will There Be Someone Around To Answer My Roofing Questions?
If you come home from work one afternoon and find a hole in your roof that is uncovered and the roofers are about to leave for the day, you will want a roofing professional around that can explain to you what's going on.
In this situation, you will need someone to tell you whether or not they will cover the hole before they leave for the day.
You should know who the project manager for the job is so you can direct any questions or concerns to them.
Check out another Roofing Blog at: 5 Common Roofing Problems and How to Fix Them
Will You Reuse Old Flashings or Install New Ones?
Many people aren't familiar with roofing materials outside of shingles.
During a roof installation, replacing the flashing isn't an easy task.
You'll need licensed roofing contractors with enough roofing experience to know that they need to remove and measure the existing flashing and blend the new ones before installing the new ones.
Some less reputable roofers don't take the time to do this right.
But as a homeowner, this is a necessity.
Old flashing are designed to integrate with the dimensions and shingle type of your original roof.
Flashings will also start to show age over several years.
Not replacing them could lead to costly roof repairs down the road, especially if they start to rust or leak.
What's Your Workmanship Warranty?
A high-quality roof contractor will offer a workmanship warranty.
Roof warranties are in place to protect your investment.
You'll have a warranty for your roofing materials and another warranty on the contractor's workmanship.
Always ask your roofing contractor what kind of warranty they offer on their workmanship before starting any roofing repair.
They could offer warranties from one year, two years, three years, five years, ten years, 25 years, or even a lifetime workmanship warranty.
A roofing company that relies heavily on caulk should offer a two-year workmanship warranty because the caulk will likely fail within a couple of years.
But if your local roofing company really cares about their work, they'll provide you with a lifetime warranty.
Hire A Roofing Contractor That Can Answer All Of Your Questions
When you work with local roofing experts who answer all of your questions, you will have quality roofers to complete your roofing project.
You will also be supporting your neighbors and your local economy.
TK Roofing and Gutters is committed to providing quality roofing services to their local Ohio communities.
TK Roofing and Gutters has been serving the communities of Northeast Ohio for over 15 years.
Whether you need a complete roof replacement, major or minor repairs, or a roof inspection after a storm, call TK Roofing and Gutters with any questions you have.
The local roofers at TK Roofing and Gutters can help give you peace of mind and make sure your roofing job is done the right way the first time.