What You Might Not Know About Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
Replacing a roof is a smart decision, but a big one. And make sure you hire the right person for the job is just as important. Knowing your roofing contractor has the experience and skills to do the job well, and feeling confident in the materials he or she will use makes all the difference for the longevity of your roof.
Communicate with Your Contractor
And it isn’t all about the end result, either. Roofing contractors and subcontractors will be performing work on your property for at least a week, so make sure you feel comfortable talking with them. This can make the difference between dreading their arrival and looking forward to it every day. Furthermore, you should trust that they will keep you informed on the progress as they go, as well as any setbacks that arise along the way.
Here are some tips for hiring a roofing contractor in Vancouver, Washington.
Not a Fly-By-Night Company
One of the first things to do is check if a company is stable and has experience working in your community. There are plenty of scam artists out there who will tell you your roof has problems, charge you to fix them, and then do little to no work on your roof. At times, there may not even be a need for roof repair at all. Some roofing scammers take money and then never return to do the work. Take a moment to learn when roof repair is really needed.
Ways to “stalk” a company
- Go to them – Don’t use the service of anyone who comes to your door, unsolicited, to talk about your roof. Legitimate roofing contractors don’t sell door-to-door.
- Make sure they have a local address – An experienced roofing contractor will have an office address in the area. It is worth driving by the location to verify the roofer has a local office.
- Check out the reviews – Contractors should be listed with the BBB. They are also often listed with reputable home service directories like Angieslist.com. Additionally, you can check if they have reviews on Yelp.com and GooglePlus Reviews page. With online reviews, it is easy to check out what people are saying about roofing contractors and the work they have done.
Are They Licensed and Insured?
Once you have narrowed down the roofing contractor you are interested in using, ask him or her about their licensing and insurance. They should carry liability insurance and have a business license as a roofer.
How Long Have They Been in Business?
A major indicator of experience is the length of time a roofing contractor has been in business. This information should be available through the BBB and is also listed on their license. Choose a roofing contractor who has been in business for a minimum of five years. That amount of time should have given them decent experience working with a number of roofing and building issues.