5 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor BEFORE You Hire Them
Whether it’s for a major home repair or you are thinking about getting some routine maintenance, hiring a roofing contractor is an important decision. And despite flashy claims and big promises, not all roofing companies offer the same quality of service.
As a home owner it is up to you to empower yourself by gathering as much information as possible. It is up to you to do some digging to make sure that you are hiring a quality company who will do the job as promised.
That might be easier than done, however. A company will have a website with information regarding services, and will usually offer free estimates. But it’s up to you as a consumer to take the power into your own hands. For that, you need to ask questions.
Like what, though? It’s already daunting enough to deal with a roof repair. So, we’ve come up with a list of questions you should ask your roofing contractor before signing any papers or shaking any hands. Remember, it’s your home and your roof at stake, so you want to be as informed as you can be.
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1. Can I see your licence?
No, you’re not trying to sound like a cop but you do want to make sure that your roofer has a proper business license and is properly insured. What about Warranties? In Vancouver, we have SELECT ShingleMaster, which enables us to provide our clients with the longest warranty in town, 50 Years!
2. What are the terms of the job?
A roofing company should offer an estimate of the cost of the job before they get started, as well as the terms of payment. But that’s not enough information. They should include a timeline so you have an idea of when the job will be finished and any potential reasons for variance in the price and schedule. If you are required to pay a deposit, you should be offered a receipt, and the remainder of the payment should be summed up in a contract or work order.
3. Will you be doing the work yourself?
This question covers whether or not the company plans on subcontracting any part of the job out. If so, they should be able to give you the relevant details of that company. They should also let you know who will be overseeing the job and who will be in charge on site.
4. Do you have any references?
A company in good standing and that is proud of their work will be able to offer references from previous jobs. Don’t be afraid to check them out. You can also go ahead and check reviews or testimonials on their website out online but remember to take them with a grain of salt. It is always better to talk to someone in person.
5. What does the finished job look like?
When you get the call that the job is done, you don’t want to show up to your home to find any surprises. Make sure that you speak to the roofer about about leaving your home and property clean and hauling away any mess they have made. You also want to ask whether the job or the materials comes with a warranty and what that entails. A lot of Roofing Contractors will have pictures of their previous jobs or a Roofing Portfolio on their website, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire.
Hiring a roofing contractor is serious business, and often times people are forced to find someone when they are already in a stressful situation. If your roof has started to leak or a tree has fallen on your roof in a storm, you might feel too stressed to ask questions. Even in the worst cases, however, it’s still a good idea to do your due diligence and gather some information.
Just remember, it’s not excessive to ask questions and you are well within your rights to do some digging. In a market like Vancouver where companies pop up all the time, you want to make the right choice. And if a company comes up short, you won’t regret the extra care you took. When it comes to roof repairs, a few questions now could save you a lot of time and money in the future.
If you require professional and reliable roofing services, contact us at Taves Roofing today.