6 Mistakes To Avoid When Looking For A Roofing Contractor

Roofing is among the most intricate parts of a home. With proper maintenance, a roof can boost the aesthetics of your home significantly, making it more valuable in the property market at the same time. If you’re planning to install a new roof or repair an existing one to fix roof leaks or missing shingles, it would be best to hire a professional contractor.

Although you may be tempted to save money by hiring a general contractor to fix minor issues, this can cost you more in the long run. Hiring a professional roofing contractor isn’t as simple as it sounds.

When hiring a contractor, you need to avoid making the following mistakes for your roofing project to be successful:

1. Hiring Uninsured Roofing Contractors

Roofing projects are risky because they involve going up the roof of the house, which is why hiring contractors who lack general liability insurance coverage can be disastrous. A general liability insurance cover ensures that you don’t take liability for any damage that may occur during a roof displacement or installation project.

Should a roofer get injured while working in your home, the insurance cover protects you from any medical bills accrued by the injured worker. Without insurance, you’ll have to compensate for their injuries. You can avoid this mistake by asking contractors to provide you with evidence of an active insurance cover and attaching a copy of the same to the project contract.

2. Failure to Hire A Licensed Company

When looking for a roofing contractor, avoid hiring a company that doesn’t have a license. Only licensed roofing contractors can comply with the local building codes—click here to learn more about roofing.

The government ensures that roofing contractors with valid licenses have the requisite qualifications to implement roofing projects before approving them.

The roofers’ certifications verify that they have undergone the required training and passed the requisite competency tasks. So, ask potential contractors for proof of licensing to guarantee their competency and avoid illegal contractors.

3. Hiring Roofing Contractors With Cheapest Quotes

Another mistake most homeowners make when looking for roofing contractors is hiring contractors who quote the lowest price for roofing projects. While it makes sense to reduce roofing project costs by paying the lowest rate for roof installation or replacement projects, focusing on the price alone can land you in the hands of the wrong roofing contractors.

Companies that quote meager rates for roofing projects are likely to cut corners, compromising the quality of the work they deliver. To avoid this mistake, compare quotes from multiple companies and pay attention to their work experience, track record in the roofing industry, and the quality of materials they use on projects.

4. Not Asking for Warranty

Ceramic tile on a wooden frame of new roof

Failing to ask potential contractors for warranties is another mistake you should avoid when hiring a roofing contractor. Newly installed or replaced roofs can last for more than three decades when maintained well. They are a considerable investment that requires a solid warranty to secure.

When hiring a roofing contractor, ask potential companies about their warranty or guarantee they provide one if an issue occurs within a given period. Also, ensure that you work with licensed roofers only to prevent voiding product warranties offered by manufacturers.

5. Failure to Sign Contracts with Contractors

The other common mistake that homeowners make when hiring roofing contractors is failing to put everything in writing. The absence of a service contract gives scrupulous roofers a chance to use low-quality materials and inflate costs.

You can avoid this mistake by asking contractors to provide detailed cost estimates before hiring them. After settling on a roofer, ask for a written contract. Ideally, the project contract should contain a breakdown of project costs and labor and material requirements.

6. Not Contacting References

Reputable roofing contractors are not afraid of sharing a list of past clients as references. Talking to previous clients or reading their testimonials can help shape your expectations and increase your understanding of a contractor’s work ethic and professionalism.

An effective strategy is to contact one or two references to see the expertise and work potential roofing companies deliver. This way, you can have a broad understanding of the contractor’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to make informed hiring decisions.

Final Thoughts

The roof is an essential part of your home. They protect you and your home from harsh weather elements while adding aesthetics to your home’s exteriors. When installing a new roof in your home or repairing a new one, finding the right roofing contractor is crucial.

Although spotting one isn’t as simple as it sounds, avoiding the six mistakes highlighted above can lower your roofing costs and save you from wasting time and resources.