Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor: 7 Tips for Success!
If your roof is aging, there are a number of factors to consider to ensure the success of the roof installation. One of the most important considerations is the roofing contractor you’ll choose for the installation.
Easily one of the biggest challenges homeowners face when getting a new roof is starting out on the right foot by choosing the right roofing contractor.
A new roof is a pretty significant investment. At ACS Roofing, we’ve heard plenty of horror stories and we don’t want a bad experience with a roofing contractor to be the case with you. To avoid this all too common pitfall, it’s important to look for a few key signs that great roofing contractors have in common.
So key considerations include looking at several different companies’ Google and Facebook reviews, asking about licenses or insurance, and comparing warranties.
Here are 7 tips for picking the right roofing contractor!
1. Get References
When choosing a roofing company or contractor, we always recommend asking a friend or colleague to share their experience with a roofing company. Word-of-mouth is an excellent, if not the most honest and thorough way of gaining the details of how their roofing project went.
This can include whether the roofers stayed within budget, what the cleanup plan entailed, whether there were any project delays, how the roofers handled questions and concerns, etc. Most importantly, ask your friend or family member how satisfied they were with the results.
When choosing a roofing company, always get a reference for your roofing installation!
2. Read the Company’s Reviews on Google, Facebook, & Yelp
Another similar step you can take while choosing a roofing contractor is to read the roofing company’s reviews to get an overall impression of how they do business. Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews reveal the reputation, punctuality, and expertise of the roofers who have worked on other people’s roof replacement projects.
A good way to identify the reliability and professionalism of a roofing contractor is by the recency and frequency of their good reviews. Roofing businesses that have a lot of negative reviews or that leave negative reviews unanswered are a cause for concern.
As you’ve likely guessed, a good roofing company will not only have great reviews, but will always respond with courtesy, professionalism, and a willingness to resolve a problem when it arises.
3. Understand the Difference Between Independent Contractors and Roofing Companies
As a homeowner, you likely have found two different types of contractors: independent contractors and roofing companies. In a nutshell, both an independent contractor and a roofing company can get a job done, however, one may be a better choice than the other depending on the size and involvement of your project.
Independent Roofing Contractor
An independent contractor is best for whenever you need a quick, simple repair done. They may be an advantage for you if you need or want only one point of contact.
However, keep in mind that having only one point of contact means that the project could take longer since only one person at a time is on the job. Lastly, if you have warranty issues at any time, an independent contractor may be difficult to track down.
Roofing Company
Roofing companies are a better choice if you need a large roofing project done. Hire a roofing company if you need a brand-new roof installation, full replacement, or you have major storm damage to your roof.
Choosing a roofing company with a team of skilled professionals means that you’ll benefit from a faster turnaround time, plus a warranty for your peace of mind. With a roofing company, however, you may talk with different team members at different stages of the project.
4. Ask About Licenses and Insurance
Roofing can be a dangerous job. As such, any reputable roofing company should be able to provide a copy of licenses and insurance upon your request, to prove that they have all the required insurance for their workers.
Knowing that part of the cost of the roof and the service provided to you is under the protection of security coverage should give you peace of mind.
Hiring any contractor or company without proper documentation can put you both at risk. As a result, we highly recommend asking about specific manufacturer affiliations.
5. Compare Warranties
Make sure you compare warranties and know the length of the warranty. Only a small number of contractors will be able to offer manufacturer warranties that include work coverage.
If at any time there is an improper roof install, it may take months or years for the damage to become apparent. Much of the time, your insurance will not cover it.
While the length of a warranty is not necessarily an essential factor, you should definitely choose a roofing contractor or company with a long-term experience that will pledge to stand behind the quality of their work.
6. Ensure the Contractor Can Provide a Written Quote
Always make sure that your roofing project has a clear, written quote so that you can plan financially and avoid hidden costs that push the project out of budget. Items that should be present on the written quote include a breakdown of the cost of the materials, payment agreement, project timeline, and insurance coverage.
Make sure that the timeline of the project is clear, so that if delays occur for any reason, that at least setting expectations for a timeframe will keep the project running smoothly. No matter what stage of the project, you should be able to refer to your written quote whenever a problem arises.
This will help keep you and your roofing contractor on the same page. Here is more information about everything that should be in a roofing estimate.
7. Ask About Unplanned Repairs Or If Something Goes Wrong
Lastly, while a good roofing company or contractor is likely to provide excellent, reliable work, there is always the outside chance that something will go wrong.
A good question to ask the roofing company(ies) that you’re looking to hire is: “how will your company handle an unplanned repair or unexpected issue?”
The roofing contractors you choose should always be able to give you a direct answer and plan as to how they handle unexpected issues that come up. It is not unreasonable to expect a plan upfront from them for your peace of mind.
Why Choose Our Roofing Company?
Clear communication is very important when it comes to picking the right roofing contractor for your home and project. Any credible contractor, like Affordable Contracting, will answer your questions and concerns with the utmost professionalism.
Here is a roofing inspection checklist for you to refer to to help you as you assess the condition of your roof. A good roofing contractor will help you identify problems and will also be very knowledgeable in how to repair or replace your roof.
Contact Affordable Contracting
Our team focuses on building a relationship with each of our clients throughout Appleton and the Fox Valley. We have been in the business since 2003, have a skilled, professional team of certified contractors, and are a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor for your peace of mind. Contact our roofing contractors today at (920) 216-2243 for a quote on your roofing project!
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