Did you know that a roof can last for about 20 to 100 years?
A roof serves as an integral part of your residential or commercial building. It protects you and your loved ones from the elements for many years, depending on the roofing material used. While a good roof can last longer, you may experience problems that may warrant roofing repairs.
When doing roof repairs, the last thing you want is to hire a roofing contractor that fails to meet your needs and expectations and ruins your investment. This is why you should make the process of selecting roof repair companies a priority.
Although it may seem complicated, below is a list of useful tips to help you choose the right roofing company.
Research Local Roofing Contractors
When you’re searching for roofing companies, look for established companies within your locality. They’re often more invested in providing quality services to build their reputation in the shared community. What’s more, local roofers know all about roofing permit requirements in your area.
During your research, check their website and project gallery to see how many roofing projects they have completed. You can also check out the number of years they have been in service and the types of roofing services they offer. This will give you a better sense of who you are working with.
What’s more, you can talk to the roofing company’s past clients and get a feel for how they operate. You want to work with a company that is reliable, qualified, honest, and transparent. Since the company is local, you will easily find former clients within your neighborhood.
Get Recommendations or Online Customer Reviews
Do you know someone who just did a roof repair?
They can be a great source of recommending contractors for your roofing project. Whether it’s a friend, neighbor, or family member, you can ask them about the roofing contractor they chose to hire and the services they offered. First-hand accounts from people you trust can be a great way of finding a reputable residential roofing contractor.
Apart from getting recommendations, you read through reviews on the roofing company’s website. But sometimes, these reviews can be somewhat unbiased. For more objective reviews, check online for business or review sites like Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, Home Advisor, and more.
Hire a Roofing Company that Can Provide Licensing and Insurance Information
Any roofing company worth your time and money should have the credentials to back their experience. You have to look for a licensed roof repair company. These licensing credentials help assert the legitimacy of the roofing company’s business.
You can ask for the certification of the contractors set to work on your roof. This will help validate their roof repair experience.
Besides, your roofing company should also have liability and workers’ compensation insurance. A workers’ compensation insurance means the roofing company takes complete responsibility in case of any injuries or fatalities on the job. Liability insurance will hold them accountable for any damages made on the job.
Your roofing company should also be bonded. This means they have taken an extra step to give you added protection as their client. This documentation will hold the company accountable for completing the work they have agreed to complete.
Get Several Quotes from Roofing Contractors
Roofing projects can be costly, and choosing professionals can give you value for your money. An important step in picking the right contractor is getting the right estimate. Before you make a choice, ask different roofing companies for their quotes. It allows you to understand how pricing works in each company.
You can also narrow down your options to a company that fits your roof repair budget. But beware of roofing companies that offer a much lower estimate than others. While it may be tempting to work with the cheapest company, it can end up costing you more in the long run.
When comparing the quotes, you should also look at the scope of work that each company plans to provide. If a roofing contractor has a quote with a much smaller or larger scope of work than the others, it may be a red flag. Some roofing companies will try to provide you with more work than you need.
Ask About the Company’s Safety Protocols
As much as you need urgent roof repair and replacement services, you also want the job to be done safely for everyone’s sake. This is why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask the roofing company about their safety protocols.
Especially with the COVID pandemic, you want to ensure everyone’s safety.
Apart from the pandemic safety measures, you should ask about the safety training and protocols they take for injury and fall prevention. It’s much better if they show you their OSHA compliance documents.
Your roofing contractors should also have up-to-date equipment. They should wear the right personal protection equipment when working on your roof. Their cords should also be properly secured, so no roofer trips over them.
Additionally, your roofers should help your prepare your building for the roofing services. They can help cover up or board up any areas of your home that will be exposed to the elements during the roofing project. It’ll help protect your property from any damage.
Opt for a Roofing Company with Good Communication
During your roofing project, you will likely have questions about the process. This is why you should find a reliable roofing repair company with proper communication. If you are looking for a company that gives timely updates throughout the process of your roofing job, learn more here.
If a prospective roofing contractor isn’t answering your questions or getting back to you soon with updates, you should avoid them. The contractors should also have knowledgeable and confident answers about your roofing job. It’ll help put your mind at ease during the project.
Inquire on Who Will Be Handling the Roofing Repair Job
You may assume that the roofing repair company you hire has its own employees that will work on your roof. But this isn’t always the case. Some roofing companies often outsource work to third-party independent contractors.
If the company uses third-party contractors, it may lead to a lot of issues. You may end up with inexperienced, unlicensed, or uninsured roofers. What’s more, the manufacturer’s warranty may become void.
To be sure of who’ll be working on your roof, verify whether the workers are employees or subcontractors of the roofing repair company you want to hire. In case they subcontract, you have to be more vigilant. Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding the experience and credentials of these roofers.
Ask for a Warranty
Mistakes can happen, even if you are working with the most experienced roofing contractors. Sometimes these mistakes don’t show up until weeks or even months later. This means that your insurance company may not pay for them.
In case the roofing company you chose doesn’t offer a warranty, they may not pay to fix these issues either. You may end up paying double what you should have. This is why you should pick a company that offers a warranty.
But selecting roof repair companies with warranties isn’t enough. You should also ask what their warranty covers. A reputable roofing company will guarantee that they offer the best services and provide a warranty if their workmanship doesn’t hold up.
Get It in Writing
When it comes to roofing repair services, verbal agreements don’t mean anything. Since roof repairs are quite expensive, you need to have everything in writing.
It ensures you and the roofing repair company are on the same page. This protects you in case the company tries to back out of the job, or claim that it wasn’t part of the agreement.
Don’t forget to include any financing agreements when writing the roofing contract. The last thing you want is to agree on a payment plan, and then the roofing company changes its mind later.
Wait Until Your Insurance Company Estimates the Damage
If your roof gets damaged by bad weather, your insurance company may cover the costs of roof repairs or replacement. But they have to evaluate the damages before giving you a check.
Although you may want to begin work on your roof immediately, it can cause problems with your insurance company as they won’t be able to tell how much the roof damages were worth.
This is why you shouldn’t sign a contract with a roofing company before your insurer checks things out. Instead, wait for them to get back to you with a specific amount for the damages. It will also help you find a roofing repair company that can work with that price.
Selecting Roof Repair Companies: Find the Best Roofing Company
Not every roofing company will be a suitable option for roof repairs. But by following the tips above, selecting roof repair companies has never been this easy. You can find the best roofing company in your area that offers quality repairs.
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