Hiring a roofing contractor is not just about hiring someone to make your roof but it is about trusting someone with the safety and structure of your home. Your house is a big investment, and the roof over your head is one of its most significant components, so potentially having it repaired or replaced is not something that should be taken lightly. Finding the right roofing contractor can save you time, money, and give you peace of mind, so you don’t want to make the decision lightly; with all these homes in need of roofing repair, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed.
Not Researching the Contractor’s Reputation
You need to really check the reputation of the roofing contractor before actually hiring him. You’re inclined to immediately choose someone who gives you the lowest price or the fastest timeline, but that’s a recipe for disaster.
These days most people will be taking the time to read through online reviews or asking family or friends for recommendations or using the Better Business Bureau. A contractor’s reputation tells a lot about the quality of work they offer and how they treat the customer. After all, would you employ someone with a long string of complaints and low ratings, or would you rather hire someone whose clients rave about their professionalism?
Pro Tip: Word of mouth is frequently best advertising—ask around to hear who has high community trust.
Choosing the Cheapest Option
Although it’s understandable to want to save money, hiring the cheapest roofing contractor can actually end up costing you more money over time. The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies here. A roofing contractor with surprisingly low rates may be skimping on materials or skipping key steps in the installation process.
Roof materials and labor are of high quality and not cheap, and you don’t want to risk the structural integrity of your home for a few hundred dollars. A bad roof could mean leaks, structural damage, even worse one day — and you’ll end up paying much more than you would’ve if you had simply hired a competent contractor from the start.
Asking for Proof of Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make Sure a Roofing Contractor is Licensed and Insured Such protection or security would not be available to you in case something goes wrong during the project. It signifies a licensed contractor who has satisfied local criteria and comprehended nearby building codes. Without insurance, you could be on the hook if a worker gets injured or property is damaged.
Request to see the license and the insurance. Be sure the insurance is for both worker’s compensation and liability, so you are covered from any problems. If a contractor balks or refuses to provide this information, it’s a huge flag.
The Dangers of Not Having a Written Contract
While a verbal agreement may appear enough, a written contract is essential in roofing work. It should detail the entire scope of work, materials, timeline of when the work will be completed, payments, and warranties or guarantees. You’re going to want everything in writing to protect both you and the contractor — to ensure clear expectations and minimize the chances of disputes down the line.
Without a contract, there’s no way to hold the contractor accountable if the work is not done to your standards. The work should then be covered by a detailed, written agreement before it begins.
Avoiding Getting Multiple Estimates
You aren’t just going to buy a car without exploring a few options beforehand, are you? The same principle holds true for hiring a roofing contractor. Three written estimates are a good idea. This gives you a more accurate idea of the fair market rate, but it also allows you to assess the professionalism and communication skills of each contractor.
$ When going over estimates, don’t just consider the price. Look to see the materials being used, the timeline proposed, and the level of experience of the contractor. The lowest price isn’t always the best deal if quality suffers.
Expecting All Contractors to Be Alike
Roofing contractors cannot be the same. Others may have experience working with a variety of materials, while some specialize in specific types of roofing, such as asphalt shingles, metal roofing or flat roofs. Make certain you hire a contractor knowledgeable about the specific roofing material you wish to install.
Look for industry certifications, too. Manufacturers, for example, often certify contractors trained installing their product. This could also have you feeling more secure that the work will be done right.
Not Considering the Warranty
A specially reputable contractor should guarantee their work. Ask about warranties for both labor and materials. Whether a warranty or guarantee is offered to give you peace of mind should something go wrong after the gig is completed.
Tip: If you sell your home later, see if the warranty is transferable. That might be an appealing selling point.
Ignored Local Experience and Expertise
Local contractors are usually the best choice since they know the local weather conditions, building codes, and suppliers. They have firsthand experience with regional conditions that aid them in making the best decision with regard to materials and techniques selection for your roof.
When you hire a local contractor that means they will be around, should you have a problem after the job is done. National chains may not provide that level of support or personal attention.
Communication skills being disregarded
When you take on a home improvement project, clear and consistent communication is essential. A contractor should be approachable, able to answer your questions and walk you through the process in language you can digest. A contractor who is hard to reach or ignores emails or phone calls is a sign they might not be reliable.
Find contractors who are willing to explain the process and answer your questions.
To Compare Only the Price, Not the Quality
When hiring a roofing contractor, its easy to focus on the price, but quality should come first. The importance of a properly installed roof to the safety of your home can’t be overstated and skimping to save a few bucks might find you with a roof that requires repair or replacement far sooner than you’d planned.
A good roof is an investment that will last for years, so it’s worth spending a little more on quality work.
Failing to Ask for References or Work Samples
Reviewing their past projects is one of the best ways to judge the quality of a contractor’s work. Get references and review the contractor’s portfolio. Viewing prior work or talking to former clients can provide useful insight into the contractor’s work ethic, reliability and attention to detail.
Bypassing the Permitting Process
You may require a permit for your roofing project, depending on where you live and what you plan to do. Not having the required permits can lead to fines, delays or even going back and doing the work over. A qualified contractor will know the applicable permitting requirements in your area and take care of this step for you.
Not Knowing What, Exactly, the Work Entails
Comprehend what you can expect from the project before hiring the contractor. What’s included in the job? What’s not? A roofing job often requires more than just new shingles; you might have rotting wood, mold or structural issues that need addressing. A good contractor should be able to explain everything to make sure nothing surprises you later.
Rushing the Decision
Selecting a roofing contractor is a significant decision that needs thoughtful attention and consideration. If you rush the process, you may wind up with regrets down the road. Spend time interviewing several contractors, reading their bids, and checking their qualifications. Do not be afraid to ask questions or request further details.
Metal Roofing: Failure to Verify the Contractor’s Work History
Finally, always do a background and work history check on the contractor. Ensure the firm has a strong history of completed projects. You can do this by asking former clients or looking at images of past work. So you want to make sure that the contractor is trustworthy and can deliver great quality.
Conclusion
Hiring a roofing contractor is not something you make on a whim. Avoiding some common pitfalls — such as focusing on price alone, not requesting the right documents and not completing the necessary steps in the process — is important. With some research, asking the right questions, and hiring a proven contractor, you can ensure that your roofing project will be done right, with the least amount of headache.
FAQs
1. How can you tell if a contractor is reputable?
Read online reviews, request recommendations, and confirm their licensing and insurance. A reliable contractor should have a good track record and reviews from previous customers.
2. Why do I need multiple roofing estimates?
Receiving multiple estimates allows you to compare pricing, materials, and services, ensuring you get a fair deal.
3. The items required in a roofing contract are:
You will want hills cover your roofing contract: Scope of work; Materials; Timeline; Payment terms; and Warranty.
4. How long do roofing projects generally take?
The timing will depend on the difficulty of the job and the conditions of the weather. The projects average a few days to a week.
5. Is it possible to put a new roof on without a permit?
In many places, roofing work requires a permit. Always confirm with your local authorities and have the contractor deal with the permitting process.
