It starts to storm outside and you notice the drip of a leak. Upon further review, you find that there is a significant leak from the roof of your home. What are you doing now? If your roof starts to leak or is otherwise damaged, call a roofer to fix the problem. A damaged roof is not something you want to let go of and you only want the most qualified professionals to work on it.
There are a few questions you need to ask a roofer before hiring if you want to make sure the job is done properly. Read on to find out what these questions are.
Are you licensed and insured?
All roofers and contractors must be licensed in the state in which they work. You also want to make sure that the company has general liability insurance. With this insurance, you will receive compensation if something is damaged during the project.
Do you have Workman's Comp insurance?
You want to work with companies that have employee insurance. If a company does not run it, you can be held responsible for medical bills that result from on-site work accidents.
How do you protect my gutters while you work on my roof?
Most homeowners don't take this into account, but gutters can be irreparably damaged during a roofing project. A specialist will take measures to protect your gutters. The most common protection methods are conductor stabilizers and spacers.
Do you bring your own dumpster?
A lot of waste is generated during a roof repair or replacement. Some examples could be shingles, plywood and insulation. If a company expects you to provide a container for the trash that has accumulated during your roof repair, this should be a red flag. An excellent company will provide its own container.
Are you a local company?
After a natural disaster, it is normal for different contractors to come from abroad to reduce the local workload. While that's great, you don't want to use these non-governmental companies for an important reason. If an error occurs after replacing your roof, the problem can only be resolved by a local company.
Do you offer a guarantee on my new roof? If so, for how long?
A guarantee should apply to every new roof. You should expect a guarantee of at least 25 years. If a company doesn't guarantee a new roof, it should be a big red flag. General repairs and maintenance should also come with a guarantee. Wait at least 30 days for repairs. This protects your investment if an error occurs shortly after the project is completed.
Will you provide a written quote?
Written estimates are a must. They protect both the homeowner and the company by ensuring that both parties understand how much the project will cost. Any company that refuses to provide a written estimate is unprofessional and should be avoided.
Will you replace my roof or make a stopover?
You are probably wondering what a stopover is. A stopover is when a company fixes problems and then roams the roof. Occasionally, this method is fine, but it really depends on your roof. In general, you want to find a company that does a full roof replacement. With a stopover, weak points and other damage cannot be seen but cannot be remedied. If a company wants to stop, ask why. Make sure you provide evidence that a full replacement is not required.
Do you work with subcontractors on my roof?
Subcontractors are not employees of the company you have hired. Instead, they are used either to supplement the shortage of staff or for specific parts of the order. For example, if your roof project requires the gutter to be replaced, a company can hire subcontractors. Subcontractors are fine as long as they are as reliable as the company you are hiring. Request evidence that the subcontracted companies or individuals are also licensed and insured. You want to know that everyone who works on your property is reliable.
Do you have references from previous customers?
References are a great way to see what kind of work a roofer does. However, if you are a homeowner, make sure that the references come from other residential properties and not from commercial buildings. The two are not always the same.
How to find a roofing company
You know what kind of questions you need to ask a roofer before hiring them, but where do you find them at all? You can start your search in two ways.
Search online
Perhaps the easiest way is to do a Google search. Type "roof repair near me" or "roof replacement near me" in the query bar. This search should provide you with a list of companies operating in your area. More information about their services can be found on the company's websites. You will also find the company's contact information there.
Ask for references
Do you prefer old-fashioned word of mouth? It works well too. Ask the people you trust if they have previously used a roofing company. Chances are that you know at least one person whose roof has been repaired or replaced. You can ask friends, family members, colleagues, or even neighbors for references.
Follow with a review site check
Once you have found the companies in your area, it is strongly recommended that you review their reviews online before hiring them. There are several websites where previous customers can post reviews of how well a company has done. If most reviews are positive, keep in mind that you may have to make your call and may need to stop it. If most reviews are negative, you should choose a different company.
Would you like more information on questions to a roofer?
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. If something serious goes wrong with your roof, your home can deteriorate quickly if the problem isn't resolved soon. You can use the questions above to assess which roofing company is the most suitable for the job. Would you like more information on questions to a roofer? Check out our other blog posts. You will find a wealth of information on related topics.
