You need a roofing company, you look online, and there are dozens of services all fighting for your attention…which do you choose? Today, we’re going to answer this question by explaining the most important questions when comparing various services. By the end, you should know how to find the one that will complete the project professionally, in time, and for a good price.
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Are you licensed and insured?
First and foremost, you want to know that a roofing company has the right license to help. If you ask to see a license and they’re reluctant to show you, move on (there are plenty of services with the right license who are ready and willing to help!). These days, every state seems to have its own requirements, so look into the laws in your state and know the license that contractors need before working with clients.
After a license, we also think insurance is important (the last thing you want is a catastrophe and then to find out the company you trusted doesn’t have insurance!). With a professional roofing company, they will have insurance so that you aren’t liable for any accidents that occur on your property.
Do you do the work yourself?
This might sound like a silly question, but not all roofing companies will fulfill the contracts themselves. Instead, they will earn a contract and then hire a subcontractor to do the work on their behalf. After building a rapport with a company and checking their credentials, you might not feel comfortable with another company actually doing the work. In this case, check that your chosen company does the work and not somebody else.
Does the service come with a warranty?
After fixing your roof, it would be quite frustrating for something to go wrong again – it would be even more frustrating to learn that the company doesn’t offer a warranty. Essentially, you’re back to square one. When sounding out potential companies, ask about the warranty. Depending on what the business is doing with the roof, you might get a warranty as long as 25 years.
How do I pay?
Again, this is a simple yet pivotal question. While some services will set a fixed price at the beginning of the project, others might suggest an hourly rate. There are pros and cons to both; a fixed price means you’ll never pay anything over this amount, but an hourly rate could be cheaper if the work is done sooner than expected.
Will I have a point of contact?
If ever you have any questions or concerns, you need to have somebody at the company you can speak to. This might be somebody in the office or even the project manager; you just need somebody who will pick up the phone when you need them.
Do you take waste and old materials?
The prices of projects will vary widely, and this is because each company will have different working methods. While some will bring a container and take away all waste, others will leave waste and materials behind. If you don’t want to deal with this once the project is done, choose a roofing company that brings a container.
Will I get a written estimate?
Verbal estimates are a good gauge of a project, but they aren’t reliable. Before a project commences, we recommend getting a written estimate. Then, should something go wrong or you get charged extra, you have proof of the initial estimate.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask your roofing company questions based on your project. This includes how it works, the timeframe, and more!