Ensure Your Roofing Contractor is Well Reputed in Your Area
Searching for local feedback is one of the quickest and easiest ways to verify whether a company does good work when choosing a roofing contractor. This could be achieved by posting about the contractor on a community Facebook page or on a community app like Nextdoor. Even in the digital age, word of mouth is still king! It is not uncommon to find that when one resident of a neighbourhood is happy with a contractor, multiple residents will reach out to that contractor in the future.
Inquire about Insurance and Worker’s Compensation
Contractors are legally obligated to have liability insurance. This ensures that if any damage occurs over the course of your roof being replaced, you and your contractor can both be assured that any payments will be handled effectively. Worker’s compensation is necessary as well, as it ensures that in case of a workplace accident, your contractor’s employees will be compensated fairly. In cases when a contractor provides you with a much lower bid than other contractors, it is important to look into whether they offer liability insurance and worker’s compensation.
Look for an Experienced Roofing Contractor
As with any construction-related trade, experience is important. Knowing that your new roof will be installed under the supervision of an experienced and knowledgeable business owner will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that they will be well-prepared to deal with any hiccups that may occur over the course of the project.
Get Multiple Quotes
Redoing the roof of your home or property is no small task. On top of the financial and time commitments, your new roof will have to last you for at least another 20 years. This part of the process is where all those facets (price, time, and quality), come together. You will want to rest assured that you chose the company that can provide you with balance between these different aspects. Talking to multiple people, and obtaining multiple quotes will be well worth your time in the end.
Ensure You’re Set on a Project Timeline
Depending on the size and scope of the job, your roof may take some time to replace. Ensure that you communicate to the contractors you talk to that adhering to a schedule is important to you. A quote for roofing isn’t only financial, it’s an agreement that the job will be completed on time. This is a great way to evaluate contractors, as those in demand will want to adhere to the quoted schedule as well, as they are very likely to have other work already scheduled.
Ensure a Written Contract Will be Signed
As previously touched on, the quoting process is important. What is even more important is ensuring that a written contract will be signed before work commences. A written contract provides an extra layer of trust between the contractor and the client. As written contracts are standard within the industry, this is another way to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable contractor.
Inquire About Post-Project Cleanup
While this may seem obvious, it may come as a surprise what can be left on a roof or around a property after a project has concluded. This inquiry is another litmus test to ensure you’re dealing with someone who takes pride in their work. Not only should all debris be cleaned up, but the roof itself should be cleared of any extra debris or garbage that can cause potential future problems. A contractor that takes pride in their post-project cleanup is a big green flag!
Now you know how to choose a roofing contractor, and can approach the process with confidence that your expectations will be met. While the process of finding the perfect roofing contractor can and likely will take time, it’s time well spent. The decision made by a homeowner today will affect the health and value of their home 20 or more years down the road. At Hubbard, we approach each potential client with that fact in mind and maintain our dedication to doing the job right, from start to finish. If you’ve made the decision that we are the roofing contractor for you, Contact Us and let us know how we can help.
