Are you getting ready to sit down with the roofers that gave you quotes for your roof replacement? If so, do you know what questions you need to ask them? It’s alright if you don’t, you’re not alone. So, what are the key questions to ask a roofing contractor? At Guardian Roofs, we’re eager to educate on all things roofing, so here are five critical questions to ask and the answer you should be looking for.
Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
The first thing you should ask a roofing contractor is if they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.
- Licensed: For a contractor to get a license, all they have to do is register with the state’s board of licensing roofers. The price of the job will determine what license they’ll need.
- Bonded: Being bonded means that a bonding company knows that a contractor does business correctly and ethically. A bond ensures that if a company goes out of business during the middle of a job or if there’s a problem with the work and they don’t fix it, then the customer can fall back on the bond company.
- Insured: All roofers should be fully insured with general liability, workman’s comp, and a company vehicle insurance policy on all the vehicles owned and unowned.
Any roofing contractor with all three should be proud and more than happy to show you that paperwork. Be mindful, the requirements may vary based on the state you live in. Some states might not even require the contractor to have one or the other. Research your local codes and ensure the contractor you hire has all the appropriate permits and paperwork.
Is Your Business Local?
When looking at roofers to hire, it’s crucial that you pick one that’s local to your area. Always ask a roofing contractor where their physical office location is and ensure they have a local phone number. Be aware that some out-of-state companies come in after a big storm, undercut local roofing company prices, get the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town. These companies don’t care about local codes or if they properly install your roof. Local roofing companies will know what local installation codes to follow, the paperwork required, and everything else they’ll need to ensure your roof is correctly installed and in compliance with your state’s requirements.
How Long Have You Been In Business?
When you invest in a roof replacement, you need to ask and look up how long they’ve been in business in your area. If you choose a newer roofing company that’s a couple of years old, chances are their prices will be a lot cheaper. The problem is they don’t know how to price jobs correctly to have retained earnings at the end of the year to get them through the winter months. That’s when a new company will shut down. The longer a roofing company has been in the business doesn’t make them any better, it just means that they’ll be around if there’s a problem.
Can I Talk To The Owner If I Have A Problem?
The ability to speak to the owner about anything roofing is invaluable. If they take time out of their day to listen to any concerns or questions, you can be well assured that your problem is their problem. However, if you’re speaking to people in an office who have no authority, you’ll end up being shuffled around from person to person until you get tired of dealing with the situation.
Can You Give Me References?
Getting references from a contractor is crucial to hiring the right one. Ask every contractor that gives you an estimate to provide you with references from jobs completed in the past 3 to 6 months. A reputable roofing contractor will be happy to give you these references when you ask for them. You can even double-check if the contractor gave you honest answers to the questions in this article by talking to past clients. (You might want to know how roof replacement can up the value of your home!)
Ask More Questions
Now you know the first questions you should ask a roofer, but your questions shouldn’t stop there! Be sure to inquire as to what their warranties are like, how they can protect your home during a project, or even about proof of their workmanship. The more questions you can have answered, the clearer a picture you’ll have when choosing a contractor that’s right for you!