15 Questions To Ask A Roofer When Getting A Quote
Finding a reputable roofing contractor can be hard. There is a lot of corruption going on in the industry, so it’s important for you to do your due diligence. Here are our top 15 questions to ask a roofing contractor before handing them the contract to install, fix, inspect, or replace your roof.
1. How long have you been in business?
Businesses that provide shoddy work don’t stay long in the industry. In a market that allows anyone to enter and exit as they please, you will come across many unscrupulous people posing as professional roofers. In comparison, while you may consider beginners to save money, it’s essential to give experienced roofers priority.
Inquire for a portfolio displaying previous jobs to ascertain that the roofer has worked in the industry for the mentioned years.
2. Are you insured and licensed?
Licensing documents verify that the prospective roofing company is certified by relevant state bodies that regulate the roofing industry. It shows that you are dealing with professionals who are well trained, skilled, and certified to provide roofing services.
On the other hand, insurance papers protect both you and your roofer from liability. What does this mean? In case an accident, property damage, or property loss occurs during the contract period, someone has to be liable for medical expenses or compensation. Adequate insurance covers you and the roofer from being responsible for these expenses.
You want to make these two aspects the bare minimum for your potential roofing contractor. Both documents show you a roofer’s dedication to staying in business, protecting clients’ interests, and being professional. A confident roofing contractor will present both documents upon request, and they should be up to date.
3. What type of projects do you work on?
You want an expert who is all-rounded, someone you can depend on to solve all your roofing needs. Inquire from your prospective roofers about the kind of projects they specialize in and their track records in completing the said projects.
An all-rounded company should offer the best roof installation, repair, inspection, gutter cleaning, and re-roofing services. The versatility in a roofing company can put you at peace, knowing you can depend on the firm in times of need. Would be good if they know their way around roof vents, too.
4. Do you offer warranties?
Roofing systems are big investments without a doubt. You want to back your investment with an adequate warranty in case something goes wrong. A confident roofer who wishes to remain reputable will offer you a proper and reasonable assurance. Let the contractor outline the clauses within the warranty to determine if it makes sense.
5. Where are you based?
Why is that important?
Picture a scenario where you hire a contractor based four states away from your home. After satisfactory services and years of serenity, your roof begins to leak before the warranty period is over.
Tracking back your initial contractor will be hectic and time-consuming. This might force you to forego the warranty period and head back into the market, searching for a new roofer.
Avoid all these issues by choosing a locally based company that you can easily reach when trouble knocks.
6. What projects have you handled in the past that I can see?
Here’s where clientele references and portfolios come in. Your future contractor should present their previous projects in portfolio forms to see some of their work samples. Go the extra mile and ask for a few clientele references to confirm their experience. Even most good roofers tend to have bad websites, so if their site doesn’t contain any portfolios, don’t discount them just yet.
7. What kind of roofing materials should I use?
As an expert, your roofer should be in an excellent position to provide you with a myriad of choices when exploring roofing materials. Pay attention to how they answer this question as it shines a light on how knowledgeable they are. Local roofers have a better understanding of the best types of roofs for your area of residence and climatic conditions.
8. Who will handle my roofing project?
When you sit face to face with a contractor, you get to know them at a personal level. Whoever shows up during the appointment and gets the job should be the one that shows up during the contract period as well. It’s imperative to ensure that the roofer sitting across you doesn’t subcontract your project to another person or company.
Be sure to necessitate that you won’t accept anyone else showing up for the job once you hire them.
9. If you get the job, how do you handle roofing projects?
Knowing what to expect during the project period will help put the anxiety at bay. Your potential roofer should walk you through the entire process to keep you prepared for the D-day. Typically, the process should include pre-installation tasks such as delivering materials to your home and inspections.
The process is followed by the contractors showing up at your home on the agreed date, followed by ripping out the damaged shingles and installing the new materials or roof. The contractor should also communicate if they clean up after the project and give you an estimate of the project’s estimated time to completion.
10. How soon can you schedule my project?
By now, you probably know whether or not you will be hiring the roofer seated across you. Your roof cannot wait for long before it caves in, or the water damage extends to other areas of your home. A considerate roofer will schedule your project as soon as possible and even issue tips to curb the damage before the company organizes your personalized project.
11. How do you protect my landscaping and lawn?
Roofing works can be chaotic with all the noise and falling debris. Ask the contractor how they plan to protect your landscaping, lawn, and even adjacent housing structures such as the deck or patio. If you have plants, a garden, or flowers nearby, this might be a pressing concern.
Be sure to inquire if they will carry specialized protective material and equipment. Ensure that some level of protection will be put in place for your lawn.
12. What steps do you take for the safety of your co-workers?
Assuming that your roofer tags along other workers to help with the roofing tasks, you might want to ask what steps they take to ensure their own safety. This should keep you at ease, knowing that there are reduced risks of accidents and injuries during the contract period. Your roofer should mention things like continued training on safety, wearing protective gear when handling roofing tasks, and issuing frequent drug tests.
Moreover, adequate insurance should protect workers while on duty.
13. What steps do you take to ensure the safety of my family?
The contractor will take you through a preparedness protocol before the D-day. It may include evacuating your loved ones and pets during the project period, ensuring that the liability insurance covers all occupants in a home, and cleaning out debris after the project. Your roofer may also suggest covering your belongings in protecting material to avoid debris and dirt collection.
14. Can I have a written estimate?
Pricing is probably one of your leading decision-making factors. At the same time, many things determine the cost of a project, such as the slope of the roofing system, type of material, size of the roof, and quality of labor, among others.
It’s important to ask for a detailed written estimate, compare the quotes and packages, and choose the most reasonable one. Keep in mind this is just an estimate that is subject to change once the project is complete.
15. Who will be available on-site to answer my concerns?
Getting to know your project manager gives you some peace of mind knowing that you have an expert to take you through the process every step of the way. You should have someone to talk to if something goes amiss or needs a quick fix. Should you ask the crew to point you in the manager’s direction and they fail at it, call the roofing company for an explanation.
Selecting a reputable and qualified contractor is the first step in the right direction. Great workmanship guarantees excellent services and roof service after that.