How To Interview A Roofing Contractor The Right Way
Hiring a roofing contractor is one of the hurdles that you will face as a new homeowner. This is a lot like choosing your spouse because the two of you will hopefully be together for life! Choose incorrectly and your roof will tell the story. Read the tips below to make your selection the best selection!
If you're looking into hiring a roofer, the first question you should ask is how long the company has been in business. Someone might sound great on paper, but if they're new to the game, they may still be ironing out kinks in their business practices. You don't want to be the one they test things out on.
To avoid a common scam roofing companies engage in, don't pay anything to your contractor until the supplies have been delivered. Some firms will ask for a down payment up front to cover their supplies, but you should pay them only once you have the supplies in hand so you get what you pay for.
Never work on your roof by yourself. You should always have someone else present, even if it is solely for the purpose of having someone that can call emergency services if you fall. Falling from the roof can be a disaster, but not having someone to help you is even worse.
When a salesman tries to pressure you, send him on his way. People who use high-pressure tactics almost always do not deliver what they promise.
Do not ask your roofer to work on your gutters. This is not their area of expertise and they are likely to mess up. Therefore, simply focus on having them do your roof, and if your gutters need to be replaced as a result, find someone to do that job that specializes in it.
Get free quotes. Roofing prices can vary from roofer to roofer and you want to find out what the different prices are in our area. Be sure, though, that when you get prices you are getting the estimate for the same type of shingles and the same service from the roofer.
As you narrow down the field of possible roofing contractors to hire, make sure that you learn about each one's warranty offers. You want to be offered 3-5 years of coverage. The warranty needs to cover defective materials and poor installation. You should receive a copy of the manufacturer's warranty too.
Ask the roofing contractors you are considering what materials they use most frequently. If you want a tile roof, but they have never laid one before, then they aren't the best choice for your project. Make sure to ask them this question before you tell them what material you plan to use to avoid duplicity.
Before you sign anything, make sure you have a proposal from your contractor in writing. It should include scheduling, including the anticipated completion date, a detailed cost analysis, information about what procedures they have for installation, information on your warranty and all the contact information you'll require for the company.
Don't get too discouraged if you're not able to find out where a roof is leaking from. It will only take you some time if you just eliminate one thing at a time. Using your water hose is a great way to find problems if you have someone helping you. If your house is very large, communicate via phone to make sure each person in in the spot they should be. You don't want water to flow into your home if no one's there to spot the leak!
You don't want to forget the small things when you're hiring a roofer. A roofer that is punctual is one that you can depend on. Also, a typed out bid is a good indication that you are dealing with a professional. Your contractor should do both these things. Otherwise, find another contractor.
Don't give a contractor all of the money for your roofing job before they even begin. Shady contractors will get full payment up front, then they do not finish the job. Only pay a portion upfront, and pay the rest when a satisfactory job has been completed.
Ask your contractor if he is a certified installer for the materials he plans to use. If so, great! That is a great sign that he really knows what he is doing. If not, consider other companies which are certified installers, as they will have much better training and will offer better quality.
A poorly-built roof is always a sign of a poorly-chosen contractor. There are plenty of options available in most local areas and the internet is an excellent tool for finding them. However, with so many choice, it's difficult to know who is the right one. Thankfully, the tips provided in the article above should make that decisions much-less difficult and much-more efficient.