Is your roof in need of repair or replacement? Before you DIY or hire a guy, let us show you what you need to know about hiring a roofing contractor.
Is your roof in need of repair or replacement? Before you DIY or hire a guy, let us show you what you need to know about hiring a roofing contractor.
Choosing a reliable roofing contractor is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment in your home. The roof of your home protects your home and family from the elements, so why would you trust it to anyone other than a professional? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should always choose to hire a roofing contractor.
There are many reasons to hire a skilled roofing contractor, foremost among these being the greater safety they can provide your home and family. However, another reason you should hire a roofing contractor is the superior quality work they provide. Let’s take a closer look at these reasons and more below.
A reliable roofing contractor will carefully inspect your whole roof. They will not only identify the roofing job you contacted them for, but they will check for any other issues as well. Professional home inspectors have equipment that can help them to find problems that you may have missed. This could save you money in the future as any undetected roofing problems would likely have become worse and cost more to repair.
Roof repair and installation work put people at risk of falls, which could easily result in serious injuries. Most homeowners don’t have the necessary equipment or experience to safely perform roofing work. Whereas professional roofing contractors have the ability to ensure their workers’ safety.
Most homeowners don’t have the knowledge and experience necessary to properly install or repair their own roof. They often don’t even have the equipment necessary to do the job well, so they could end up having to pay someone to finish the job or even fix their work. This could easily cost more than paying a professional roofing contractor to do the job right, to begin with. But, reliable roofing contractors have the equipment necessary to do the job right the first time.
There are several things you should do before hiring a roofing company to make sure they will do a good job on your roofing project. We’ll discuss these next.
Most homeowners eventually need to have their roofs repaired or replaced. So, check with your family and friends to see if they’ve hired a roofing contractor before. If they have, see if they can recommend a reliable roofing contractor.
You can also look for reviews online. Google, social media and the Better Business Bureau are good places to look. It always helps to hire someone that you know has done good work in the past.
A local company will be familiar with local weather conditions and the kinds of problems this can cause for your roof. So, these local companies will know what to look for when they inspect your roof. You’ll also want to make sure they have experience. This not only means they’re more likely to do a better job but also that they’ll likely be around to help should you have any problems with their work in the future.
It’s best to choose a roofing company that is licensed, bonded, and insured. This will help to protect you. If your roofing contractor is licensed, this means they have the minimum insurance and bonding necessary in your area.
Insurance can help cover any damage they do to your property. It’s also good because if your roofing company does not have worker’s compensation insurance, you could end up being held responsible should a worker get hurt on your property. You’ll want a bonded roofing company as well because this means if the company does a bad job or doesn’t even complete the job, you are protected.
Pick out several roofing companies that you think look good. Then, talk to them and get a bid. You’ll want to see what a few different companies have to offer you. You can find out not only what their prices are but what benefits they offer, such as if they have a warranty and, if so, how long it is.
They may also offer maintenance services to keep your roof in good shape. You’ll also get to see if you think you’ll feel comfortable working with the company. It’s best to have people you’re comfortable talking with and won’t mind having around your house for the job.
To help ensure you don’t get any surprise bills, you want to be sure your quote includes everything it should. We will list what your quote should include below.
The quote should include a detailed description of the work that will be done. This needs to include who will do the work and the specific tasks that need to be done to complete the job. It should also specify the beginning and end date for the job as well as the payment details.
The quote should include a list of the materials that will be used for your job and the price of the material. It is routine to charge a markup for the materials, but make sure it is a fair markup. The markup shouldn’t be too much over 25%. You can check the prices in the area for the material your contractor is using and check to see if the markup is fair.
The labor costs should be listed for each task. The labor costs should make up approximately 60% of the cost of the job.
Getting your roof repaired or replaced is often stressful and expensive. So, you need a reliable roofing contractor that will respond to any concerns you have about the process or the work. You also have a right to expect this from your contractor. Make sure you get a contact number for someone who understands your job and can answer your questions.
You should expect the roofing contractor to tell you exactly what’s wrong with your roof and any options for repair or replacement. They should not just recommend that it be replaced without an adequate explanation.
The quote for your roofing job should mention the material that will be used for the job. Take the time to make sure that the material being used is what was listed in the quote.
Reliable roofing contractors will provide a warranty for their work that includes labor and materials. The roofer should leave you a copy of your warranty and explain what it includes and how long it is good for.
Make sure your roofing company obtains a building permit and displays it prominently. The contractor will probably need to arrange an inspection by the building inspector when the work is done as well. You want your roofing contractor to comply with all city codes.
Hiring a roofing contractor is critical to protecting your investment in your home. This can help ensure your home’s roof remains safe and potentially extend its life considerably. So before you attempt to DIY work on your roof or hire an unqualified individual, consider whether it is worth trusting your home and family’s safety to anything less than a professional roofing contractor.
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