There are several ways to choose a residential roofing contractor. A residential roofing contractor can help with a number of roofing concerns including repairing or even replacing an entire roof. Any seasoned homeowner will be able to attest to the fact that inevitably a home will be in need of roof repairs. Repairing or replacing an entire roof is not an option for most homeowners. Therefore, a professional will be needed to take over the job. With so many repair services on the market today, how can the best residential roofing contractor be chosen? Based on the magnitude of this job, it is important to find someone who can be trusted with the work at hand. A bad roofing job is expensive, so it is important to select the right contractor the first time around.
Some standards a home owner should expect from a roofing contractor are as follows:
Tip 1 – Years of Service & Estimates
Professional residential roofing contractors who have been in operation for a number of years will have the most experience. When choosing a contractor first ask them how long they have been in business. Based on these years of experience, the contractor should also have references, so ask for several who can attest to the contractor’s workmanship. It will be important to call some of these references to confirm a positive experience and to verify how supportive the contractor was from the beginning of the project to the end of it.
It is also recommended that homeowners obtain three estimates. A legitimate estimate will be provided in hardcopy form and a good roofing contractor will be able to explain the estimate line by line and walk the homeowner through every step of the roofing project.
Tip 2 – Referrals
When asking for referrals it will be important to do independent research as well. For example, the homeowner can ask neighbors about their experience with specific contractors or they can conduct internet research as a way to evaluate other people’s opinions of the contractor. Independent online reviews offered by services such as Angie’s List and Yelp are also quite useful.
Tip 3 – Verify Credentials
Verify the contractor’s credentials. In other words, verify appropriate insurance and licensing prior to hiring the contractor for the job and ask for copies of supporting documentation. It is important for the homeowner to understand exactly what makes the contractor qualified to perform the work in the first place. Almost all states require insurance and this may include both general liability insurance as well as workman’s compensation insurance. Many states also require a state license to do roofing work. It is very important that the property is protected for peace of mind. Also visit the Better Bureau’s website to confirm whether or not the contractor is accredited and if they have a good rating listed. Only choose top residential roofing contractors who can provide solid proof of such credentials.
Tip 4 – Workmanship
A good contractor will also be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of roof installations and repair. For instance, the contractor should be able to explain the importance of having a firm foundation for the roof, the importance of addressing any rotted or warped areas of the roof and should be able to explain how roof penetration areas such as chimneys and skylights will be impacted by the installation or repair work. The contractor should also be able to explain how roof ventilation works and the importance of ventilation for the longevity of the roof itself. The homeowner can also proactively ask these question and can ask how the roof’s underlayment will work as well as how the roof will be water proofed. A good contractor can explain all of the products and materials that will be used during the project for a well-rounded explanation of the work to be performed.
Choosing a professional, experienced and trustworthy contractor does not have to be a difficult task. Even though this process can be stressful, the stress can be minimized by choosing the right contractor the first time around. Even the best roofing system will not perform as it should if it is not installed properly, namely by a qualified roofing professional. Select an experienced roofing contractor who will adhere to strict standards of professionalism and customer satisfaction and who can back their word up with excellent references and proof of their workmanship.