Choosing a contractor can be daunting, especially for a roof replacement as many homeowners aren’t aware of this complicated system of shingles, ventilation, gutters and soffits, until they have to be. Below are some tips to help make this process easier and assist with choosing a reputable roofing contractor in Calgary.
History
There are few barriers of entry into the construction market so it is easy for anyone to set-up a roofing company. Because of this, make sure you check how long the company has been in business for. A strong history will likely mean a strong future but there are no guarantees so make sure you do some background research. It will also tell a lot about their workmanship if they have remained in business in Calgary’s competitive roofing market. A company can only honor a workmanship warranty if they are still in business in 1, 5, 10, 15 years.
Insurance & WCB
The company you choose should have up to date WCB and liability insurance. In the event someone gets hurt while working on your home, you do not want to be on the hook for it. Insurance is important in the rare event that you home is damaged during the roof replacement. This is a very rare occurrence but it is still important for the company to have this in place. Do not be afraid to ask for the insurance and WCB info during the quote process.
Did you know you can double check online if a company has up-to-date WCB? Click here and enter the first part of the company name to search the database.
Reviews & BBB Rating
Reviews can tell a lot about a business. There are many review sites available online and some of the more popular ones are Google, Homestars, and the BBB. Read some recent reviews to find out what customers had to say about their experience with the company and if there are negative reviews, make sure you read the companies response (if there is one) which can tell you a lot about the resolution process and if the review is from a legitimate customer. While checking out BBB reviews, check the companies rating. We wouldn’t suggest hiring a company with anything less than an A+ rating.
Review the Quote in Detail
We recommend getting at least 3 quotes after you have made a list of reputable companies in the city. Once you receive the quotes, compare them in detail to see which is the best fit for your project. Quality of products can vary significantly as some companies may offer upgrades as a standard in their quote and another company may charge extra for the same thing. Compare apples to apples to find the differences in quality of material and whether or not there will be any additional charges. Make sure everything is in writing and any changes/upgrades that were discussed are included on the final contract.
Inspections
During the quote process ask if the company offers a post work inspection. This is important to ensure that the standards the company told you about during the quote process are met. These inspections should be completed by a senior installer who knows exactly what to look for to ensure the entire process was completed with the best workmanship. This will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have about the scope of work that was completed.
Payment
If a roofing company asks for money up front, this should be a red flag as this is not a common practice in the roofing industry in Calgary. It isn’t illegal, but a special license is required from the government of Alberta called a “Prepaid Contractors License”. Even with this, reputable companies most likely will not ask for prepayment, but will invoice once the job is complete.
Do you have additional questions? Contact Us using the online form or send an e-mail to info@hubbardexteriors.com
