The roof of your home is one of its most important features, as well as one of its pricier ones, too. Taking care of your roof is an important part of your safety, comfort, and peace of mind, as well as protecting against avoidable future expenses caused by a damaged roof. Whether you need a minor roofing service or a major one, choosing a trusted and experienced roofing contractor is important. Here are some tips and things to consider when choosing a roofing contractor.
1. Decide If You Want an Independent Contractor or a Roofing Company
One of the first things that you should do is learn the difference between an independent roofing contractor and a roofing company. While both types of contractors may have experience and expertise, which one you decide to hire may depend on which is better suited for your specific project. There are benefits and downsides to each to consider as well. For example, an independent contractor may be able to perform the work faster, but may not have as good of a warranty as a company. A company may have a great warranty, but may also have multiple points of contact you’ll have to coordinate with throughout the process.
2. Understand What Services You Need
It’s always a good idea to know what types of services you need when looking for a roofing contractor and then compare this need with the services the company actually offers and specializes in. If you’re not sure what you need, many companies will provide free assessments and quotes. This can be a good starting place.
3. Find Out About Licenses and Insurance
No matter what, you want to work with a contractor who is licensed and insured. While not all states require roofers to be licensed, licensure speaks to experience and skill. Ensuring that the contractor carries liability insurance that will protect you in the event that there’s any damage to your home is critical.
4. Check References and Reviews
One easy way to get a feel for what working with a specific roofing contractor might be like is to read references and reviews on Google, Yelp!, Angie’s List, and the company’s website (or any other review sites). If the contractor doesn’t have good reviews, it’s probably worth looking somewhere else, even if their price is low. If you have any friends or acquaintances that have recently had roofing services performed, you might also ask them to make a recommendation.
5. Compare Quotes
While pricing isn’t everything—indeed, things like insurance, licensure, reviews, and experience are extremely important—it is worth considering. You should get at least two quotes for the work from different companies. If the prices are dramatically different, be sure to ask why.
6. Ask the Right Questions
Before you actually hire a roofing contractor, it’s important to ask a number of questions even if the roofing contractor seems to check all of the boxes based on the above-listed considerations. Some important questions to ask are:
- Can I get everything in writing? Do not hire a contractor who wants to work without a written contract. Verbal guarantees are nice, but even better when backed up in writing.
- How much experience do you have? As is true for most things in life, a more experienced professional will likely do a better job than a less experienced professional.
- What’s the expected timeline? Homeowners are often frustrated by making assumptions about how long a roofing project may take only to be disappointed by a longer-than-expected timeline. Always ask what the expected timeline is and ask for clarity as to why it will take that amount of time if the amount of time strikes you as unreasonable.
- What happens if you go over budget? You’ll want to make sure that you have a full understanding of the total cost of your project and your total financial liability, including what will happen in the event that the project goes over budget.
- What’s the warranty on your work? Working with a contractor who offers a warranty on their work can bring peace of mind and save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the event that the work is poorly performed and does not meet construction and
workmanship standards. - What happens if you damage my home? Finally, be sure to ask the contractor what will happen if they damage your home while performing the work.
Call River Region Contracting, LLC Today
At River Region Contracting, LLC, we are roofing professionals with years of experience. To learn more about our services or request a quote, reach out online or by phone at (334) 356-8635. We look forward to hearing from you!
