Hiring a roofing contractor is a stressful task with a lot of unknowns. It’s important to have a contractor who knows what they’re doing, so we have a few key questions you should be asking before you hire anyone.
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
One of the first things you should ask is if they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Being licensed means they have registered with the state, and the job price will vary depending on the license they need.
Bonds are just a way of ensuring that the job will be done right. A bonding company ensures your contractor is trustworthy and hardworking and ensures that if the company goes out of business or for some reason does not finish the job that someone will make sure it is properly completed.
The company should be fully insured with general liability, work truck insurance, and workers comp - to make sure that if anything happens it is not on you.
Is your business local?
This question is very important to make sure that your business is local! This way if something goes wrong you are able to contact them and visit the home office to get your roof properly done. Remember companies from out of state will come to your town after a big storm like a hurricane, to try and get a lot of business. You want someone local who you can get a hold of at any time if your roof is damaged.
Can you give me references?
This is a very important question before letting a roofing company start work on your house! Make sure to ask your contractor if they have any past customers you could speak to. This will help ensure that not only they did a good job, but even after they finished working your roof will still stand strong.
How do you protect my property?
Before letting anyone start work on your roof, make sure you know what protocols they will take to keep your gutters and home safe. Read the fine print of your roofing contract to make sure there is nothing about them not being liable for damages to your house. Keeping your house safe should be a crucial aspect to any roofing contractor and they should have a well thought out plan to handle damages and emergencies.