Through the Roof – How to Choose the Right Roofer

By Brian D'Amico

Courtesy of  www.flickr.com

When it comes to choosing the best roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof, cost should not be the first consideration.  While everyone wants to save money, when it comes to working on your roof there are a number of considerations to take into consideration besides price. 

Is your roof a lawsuit waiting to happen?

Any time you send someone up a ladder to work on your roof there is a certain amount of liability involved.  If a member of a roofing crew falls off the roof or off a ladder while working on your home, you want to be sure that the contractor and not you is going to be liable.  This means you have to be sure that you ask for and see a contractor’s business license, contractor’s credentials and proof of insurance before they are hired. (Any legitimate roofing company should be able to provide you with proof of workman’s compensation and liability insurance.) The last thing you want to find out after one of the crew has been injured is that you are on the hook for any damages. Also find out who is responsible should the contractor damage your home.  

Courtesy of  mountpleasantgranary.net

Feel free to ask the contractor, whether their crew uses safety harnesses, not to mention how they deal with discarded shingles and roofing nails. The last thing you want to happen is to wind up being injured by walking out your front door only to step on a nail.  Conscientious roofers not only have a protocol for dealing with the jetsam produced as part of the roof removal and replacement, they also should cover your bushes so that they aren’t damaged by any discarded material.  You can learn a lot about a contractor by assessing their attitude concerning the details of the proposed project.  A trip to the garage to cover a punctured tire or to the ER to get a tetanus shot is not the way to learn that your roofer leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to attention to details.

What’s in a name?

Another thing you want to find out before the fact is the roofer’s reputation. In today’s wired world you don’t have to take a contractor’s word for it that they are courteous, prompt and reliable.  You can ascertain this for yourself by searching the Internet for reviews on such sites as Google, LinkedIn, merchant Circle, HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List, to name a few.  Also, be sure to check the contractor’s website for testimonials, particularly video testimonials.  The best way to learn about a contractor is to hear from several customers.  By perusing online reviews, you can learn a great deal about how the company and their crew tackle a roofing project.  If you find either a number of negative reviews, or no reviews at all, this tells you that you should look elsewhere.  After all, it’s all too easy to fold up shop under one name, only to launch a new business under a different name. 

English: Norman, OK, June 22, 2010 -- A roofer replaces a roof that was damaged by tornadoes in early May, 2010. FEMA is working with local, state, private and federal agencies and businesses to help individuals and business with their recovery. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once you receive references, take the time to call them.  You want to talk to people who have recently had first-hand experience with a roofer, not someone with whom they did business with several years before.  When talking with previous customers ask them their impressions of the roofer and the crew.  Did they arrive promptly and behave appropriately? Did the crew clean up after themselves on a daily basis, or did they leave the property a complete shambles?  How long did it take them to complete the job?  Don’t assume that the courteous, well-dressed person that gave you a quote is going to be the same person working on your roof.  Many contractors hire sales reps who have no practical experience in roofing other than to take measurements and write up quotes.

The Devil is in the details

Speaking of quotes, what is covered in the project?  You need to know in advance what materials are covered and which is not.  If the roofers upon removing your shingles “discover” that the wood beneath is water damaged or rotted, you could be in for a rude awakening and a sizeable up charge.  A reputable roofer will discuss this possibility in advance based upon the state of your roof as discovered during the inspection (Never accept a quote from any contractor that doesn’t walk your roof.). 

English: Norman, OK, June 22, 2010 -- A roofer repairs a roof that was damaged by tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma in early May 2010. FEMA is working with local, state, private and federal agencies and businesses to help individuals and business with their recovery. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another thing you want to find out is whether the quote includes such things as flashing, the quality and type of shingles used, as well as fasteners and insulation used beneath the shingles. The types of materials used could mean the difference between a roof that lasts for decades, or one that needs to be replaced in 10 years.  (Better materials cost more, but they are worth it.)

Ask for and read the warranty information concerning your roof.  If your roof springs a leak the first time it rains or one year thereafter, who is responsible and how responsive is your roofer going to be.  Beware of any exclusions written in small print.  They could be used to negate the warranty.  Also, be wary of any contractor that tells you to accept a word-of-mouth warranty. 

You should also ask the contractor such things as: 

• When and who is going to pull any permits 
• The projected start and completion dates
• Work hours
• The number of workers assigned to the crew
• Site inspections
• Suppliers
• Liens - In most states, a contractor that works on your property has the right to place a lien on it if they are not paid in full. Make sure that all the costs are written in advance so that you aren’t blindsided by a big bill after the job is done.

Once you decide on a roofer to work with, you need to have a detailed contract that defines the job in its entirety.  If there is anything in the contract that makes you feel ill at ease, do not sign on the dotted line until you have complete confidence in the people with whom you are dealing.  Making sure that there are no hidden details that you may have missed is the difference between getting the job done right the first time or having you go through the roof.

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In this article I have provided the reader more than a dozen tips they should follow when hiring a roofing contractor. Following these tips will insure the best possible outcome of the purchase and installation of their new roof.

Brian D’Amico is a partner in All Pro roofing with 20+ years’ experience. He and his crew of roofers provide the best local roofing experience you can get in North East Florida. He is a certified Roofing contractor and can also help homeowner home improvement, home repairs, siding, gutters, WDO, shingles, metal roof, roof leaks, hardy board installation’s (aka Hardie, Hardi).  Let him provide the expertise you need and can trust.

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