Tips to Help Homeowners Choose the Right Roofing Contractor
The biggest obstacle homeowners face when looking to fix or replace their roof is choosing the right person to do the job. After a damaging storm, they need to quickly get back to normal and perform the necessary roofing repairs. But that doesn’t mean they should just choose the first contractor who knocks on their door. Finding a contractor who is trustworthy, honest, and professional may sound difficult – but that’s where you come in
Get local referrals. There is less chance of potential issues or scams when you choose a contractor from your community. They are more familiar with local rules and code regulations and have a relationship with area crews and suppliers.
Look for manufacturer designations. Manufacturer designations are considered a badge of honor because the contractor must pass certain minimum requirements to be factory-certified (although, some manufacturers have more stringent requirements than others). GAF strictly enforces their top designation by only allowing 2% of roofing contractors per market to be recognized as Master Elite® Contractors. (Unlike other manufacturer designations, Master Elite® Contractors cannot use this top designation in another territory, only in the location of the storm. Find a Master Elite® Contractor near you.
Research Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. Some contractors blow in (no pun intended) right after a storm looking for work, so it’s important to look them up on the BBB website and make sure they have a good score. Stay away from contractors who do not exist on BBB.org. GAF Master Elite® Contractors are required to maintain satisfactory ratings with the BBB in order to retain their certification.
Get an extensive warranty. Not all contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include coverage of the contractor’s workmanship. If a contractor installs the roof incorrectly, it may take months or years for the damage to show up—and insurance won’t pay for it. If the contractor won’t fix it (or worse, has gone out of business), your only recourse is to pay for their mistake yourself. A Master Elite® Contractor can offer one of the longest workmanship warranties on the market—the Golden Pledge® Warranty.
Tips for Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor
Replacing your roof is a big decision. It goes without saying that you want the best roofing contractor for the job. But how do you know what to look for? Most people will only replace a roof once in a lifetime. It’s a big investment, and you want to make sure you choose the right company. Here are 10 questions to ask before you decide on a roof installation company
Ask How Long the Roofing Contractor Has Been in Business
You probably wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has been on the job for two weeks. And you probably wouldn’t sign up for heart surgery with a doctor fresh out of school. So why pick a roofing contractor that doesn’t have a long track record of doing high-quality work?
Double Check Licensing and Insurance
Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why we never recommend homeowners take it on themselves. It’s important to have the right tools, materials and safety equipment. It’s also important to have experience. Reputable roofing contractors hold the requisite permits and licenses for every job they perform.
Look at Past Work
For most businesses that provide a service, reputation is everything. Think about the last time you went to a new restaurant, or even visited a new hair salon or dentist’s office. In past years, you might have asked a friend or relative for the names of a good place to grab dinner or get your teeth cleaned. Today, however, the internet provides unbiased, third party reviews from people who have used a business’s services in the past. In fact, 81 percent of consumers say they research online before they make a purchase. Before you spend money, it pays to do your homework
Price Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
If you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation project in the past, you may have been told to “get three estimates.” No one really knows where this so-called “three estimates” rule comes from, and no one seems to be able to say why three is the ideal number.
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESIDENTIAL ROOFING CONTRACTOR
The right roofing contractor can ensure the success of your roofing project, whether it’s a minor repair project or a complete roof replacement. When choosing a contractor, don’t make the mistake others did by settling for the one with the lowest price. The following are tips on how to choose the right roofing contractor.
PROTIP: Choose Among Local Contractors
Local roofing contractors have the advantage of being in close proximity, which can be handy in case of roofing emergencies. But more importantly, local roofers are more familiar with local building codes and regulations, which lessens the risk of having compliance issues that lead to unwanted delays (and possible expenses) correcting these issues. You also get the added benefit of knowing that we mean to stick around the area as long as you do and then some. Your warranty doesn’t mean a thing if your roofer has already packed up and left town.
PROTIP: Ask if They Have a Contractor’s License and Proper Insurance
A legitimate contractor in North Carolina must have a valid license issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Note that this is different from a business license. A contractor must have insurance coverage for both accidental property damage (liability insurance) and bodily injury (workers’ compensation). Like their references, a legitimate contractor should have no problem providing verifiable proof for both. You can call your contractor’s insurance company and check up on them. Ask if they’d had any recent complaints, and ask if they pay their bill on time every month. If they haven’t paid their insurance, then their insurance is no good, and could leave you footing the bill for costly repairs to your property, or worse
PROTIP: Always Ask for References
When it comes to the quality of work, don’t take the contractor’s word for it. Talk to their past clients. Reputable contractors should be able to readily provide the contact information of at least three recent clients, whom you should call or visit to see if the contractor truly provides quality roofing services. References also means reviews. Check out the company’s reviews on Facebook and Google
PROTIP: Ask About Their Warranty Coverage
Regardless of which roofing manufacturer they represent, a roofing contractor should have warranty coverage for both materials and workmanship; the latter is especially important as most roofing problems in the first few years are due to installation errors. As a GAF Master Elite® contractor, we are authorized to offer the full range of GAF’s industry-leading warranties, including the Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty, which features 50 years of material coverage and 25 years of workmanship coverage. When it comes down to it, The warranty anybody gives you is only as good as the company giving it to you!
TIPS TO HELP HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE THE RIGHT ROOFING CONTRACTOR
Your home is the safest place for you to be. A home is a place where you can be yourself, wear whatever you want, do whatever you want to do. Your home is your haven. If you don’t have a home, then you are lost.
GET NATIVE REFERRALS.
There’s less probability of potential problems or scams once you opt for a contractor from your community. they’re additional conversant in native rules and code laws and have a relationship with crews and suppliers in your area.
SEARCH FOR MANUFACTURER DESIGNATIONS.
Manufacturer designations ARE THOUGHT to be a badge of honor because they are considered as the minimum needs that a contractor should pass to be factory-certified (although, some makers have additional tight needs than others). GAF strictly enforces their prime designation by solely permitting two of roofing contractors per market to be recognized as Roofers Elite Contractors.
ANALYZE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) RATINGS.
Some contractors blow in (no pun intended) right when a storm hits, searching for work. Thus it’s vital to look for them on the BBB website and make certain they have a decent score. If these contractors do not exist on this website called BBB.org, then you must not go anywhere near them or contact them. GAF Master Elite® Contractors are needed to take care of satisfactory ratings with the BBB so as to retain their certification.
GET A GOOD WARRANTY.
Not all contractors can give manufacturer warranties that embody coverage of the contractor’s acquisition. If a contractor installs the roof incorrectly, it should take months or years for the harm to point out up—and insurance won’t purchase it. If the contractor won’t fix it (or worse, has gone out of business), your sole recourse is to purchase their mistake yourself. A HydroTight Contractor can give one of all the longest acquisition warranties on the market
Tips For Choosing The Right Roofing Contractor
Choose A Roofer With Standards.
Would you settle for a plumber, restaurant, or doctor that is just “average” or has “decent” standards? That’s not going to cut it if you’re going to spend $10,000 or more on a roof that protects your home from the elements. When it comes to something as expensive and important as your roof, you want a roofing company that expects and demands the very best in roofing quality
Choose A Roofer With Quality Materials.
Even if you have the best installation team on the planet, cheap roofing materials just won’t stand up to the elements. Here in the South, high humidity, heavy rain, tropical storms, and even hurricanes can put your roof to the test — and low-end roofing shingles, nails, and the like just won’t be able to protect your home in the short-term or the long-term.
Choose A Roofer With A Great Online Reputation.
Before you start believing everything you hear on the internet, remember this: not all reviews and review sites are created equal. Sites like Yelp! have users that give much lower ratings than other sites, and that’s because they profit on people who need a sounding board for negative feelings. Think about it: are you more likely to leave a review for a reasonably good experience or a poor experience?
Choose A Roofer With The Right Licenses And Insurance.
Licenses and insurance protect homeowners and roofers in a variety of situations — it’s the only thing standing between you and disaster if something goes wrong during the roofing process. That’s why it’s crucial for any roofer you work with to a) have licenses and insurance and b) have them on hand at all times.
Choose A Roofer Your Friends And Neighbors Trust.
Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding when it comes to a roofer’s quality of work — and that means there’s only one group of people you can trust with roofing opinions: your friends and neighbors who have gone through the roofing process.