5 Things to Look For in a Professional Roofer
You’ve decided to start searching for a company to work on your roof. Whether it needs an inspection, a repair, to be replaced, or you just want some sound peace of mind, choosing the proper roofer for the job is important. So what are the most crucial things to look for when choosing your contractor?
1. Choose Local if Possible
There are plenty of roofers and contractors who would be willing to take a look at your roof, but choosing a company that has been in your area for awhile has many benefits. Of course there are things that indirectly affect you, such as giving your money to something local and therefore helping your own community, providing jobs for local folk, etc. But a company in your area will know the specific issues that your home is likely to face. They will know the climate, what issues are common in the area, if there are any locally trending problems, the laws/rules/codes for your town, and all sorts of location-related issues.
2. Licensed and Insured
It’s vital that the company you choose is licensed and insured, and that they follow proper protocol. Using roofers that are licensed is for your own protection. For example, if an unlicensed contractor is working on your roof and they fall and sustain an injury, they can then sue you for their accident. It’s always best to check that each employee is licensed, insured, and the company offers workers’ compensation to their employees.
3. Check Their Better Business Bureau Rating
Checking review sites, asking friends and family, etc is always helpful. Another great resource is the Better Business Bureau site. You can search for any company you want to see if they’re accredited with the BBB (We have an A+ rating, by the way!)
4. Pricing
If you’ve collected several quotes and notice one is significantly cheaper than the rest, keep in mind there is likely a reason for that. What they say is true: you get what you pay for. You can choose the cheapest company, but you’ll likely get the cheapest work. Many companies will work with you on pricing and financing, but someone with an insanely cheap price likely doesn’t have the same qualifications, quality, and care for their employees as a company that may be slightly pricier.
5. Written Contracts
When a company gives you a quote, it should come with a written contract. This will outline the materials being used, the cost of those materials, the cost of labor, and many other important details. If a contractor is giving you a verbal quote and refuses to outline any of these items, this could end up being an issue down the road. One of the main benefits of a contract is that it should give you a very close estimate to the final cost, including their own guidelines for what happens when they must go out of the quoted amount. If you’re hiring someone without a contract, they can change the cost at any time, even if they’re halfway through replacing your roof.
Roof work is always an investment, and as such it should be handled with care. It can feel overwhelming to choose the best company for the work to be done. But we’re here to help. Please feel free to call us with any questions you have about your roof, our qualifications, or for a quote.
New Look Roof Team
For any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at jwest@newlookroofs.com, we hope you have a great day and thanks for reading!
- Julian