Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Your construction project is only going to be as good as the contractors you choose to work with. Their expertise, experience and reliability can totally make or break the entire project.
When it comes to your home’s roof, you need to work with a specialist who is not only experienced and an expert, but who is also qualified and responsible to ensure that any catastrophes are avoided. This is very important because the roof is your home’s first line of defence against the outside elements, and without it working properly, your home could be susceptible to lots of damage.
However, it can be difficult to know how to find the best roofing contractor for you. So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of questions you should ask your roofing specialist, and why you should ask it.
Keep reading to make it simple to find your roofing specialist today.
1. Is your roofing specialist licensed?
Working on a roof takes expertise and training, and shouldn’t be done by just anyone. So, before you work with just anyone, you need to know whether they are licensed to be doing this sort of work in the state you’re living in.
To find out, you can just ask them, as a reputable roofing specialist will have no problem providing their update to license information. You can also find out whether a company is licensed and qualified through various government work safe directories.
2. How much experience do they have?
While even new roofing contractors will likely be able to do a great job on your roof, if you can find someone with a load of experience, you’re going to be in very safe hands.
But it’s not just about the experience in terms of the number of years of experience that they have, but also the kinds of experience they have. Do they specialise in certain types of roofs? Do they only work on commercial buildings? Can they do a full roof restoration service and not just repairs?
The more relevant experience, the better.
3. Can the roofing contractor provide references or referrals from previous jobs?
It’s understandable that someone working on your home can make you feel a little uneasy – really, you want to know that they can definitely do the job right?
Well, one way you can find out more about them and their skills is through what their past customers have to say.
You can ask them for customer references, where they may provide you with the details of a former customer so you can ask them questions about their experience. Or you can often find customer reviews and testimonials online, whether it is on their website, their social media pages or on Google.
If a contractor refuses to provide you with any customer testimonials or references, we recommend walking away.
4. Is the roofing company insured?
Working high up on a roof has its risks, even for the most experienced. That’s why it is extremely important to work with a company that is fully insured.
That way, if something bad happens, you’re not going to be liable for anything, which could include their medical bills.
If the company is not insured, or will not disclose as to whether they are, do not engage with them.
5. Do they do a pre-work inspection and quoting service?
Before you commit to a big job, like work on your roof, it’s a good idea to know how much it’s going to cost you right? This kind of work can be extremely expensive.
Most reputable roofing specialists will offer an inspection and free-quoting service so you can understand both how much the job will be and how much it will cost.
If they refuse to provide an estimate that outlines the materials they will use and the costs of the service, do not work with them!
6. Do they offer a warranty or guarantee for their services?
You never want to work with someone who does not provide a written guarantee or warranty for their services. Especially when it is something as important as your roof.
A guarantee is them basically saying that they stand by their work and if something goes wrong in that warranty period, they will ensure it is fixed.
Some companies might say the manufacturer or the materials they use have a warranty period, and while this is something, in our opinion, it is not enough. If they cannot provide a warranty or guarantee for their own work, then that is a sign not to work with them.
7. What kind of work are they going to do and why?
When it comes to your home’s roof, there are lots of different types of work that can be performed on it. You might need minor repairs and a cleaning, you might need a roof restoration (which is a little bit of everything), or you might need a total replacement.
When a roofing contractor has inspected and quoted the job, ask them why they have chosen a particular course of action. This is a good idea so you can understand their reasoning behind it. They might think that your roof is actually in good structural condition but just needs a little help to bring it back to life, which is why they have chosen a roof restoration.
It’s a good idea to understand the why behind their actions so you know what to look out for in the future.
When it comes to finding your roofing specialist, there are a lot of things to think about. However, now that you’re armed with this list of questions, finding the right roofing contractor for you, is going to be a piece of cake!
