Deciding a roofing contractor who does good quality work and is professional and certified is important and at the same time difficult for consumers who aren’t too familiar with the roofing industry. It is key to choose a certified roofer who highly respects the business and knows what they are doing. Make sure you do your research beforehand because there are a lot of roofing contractors that aren’t certified and offer both low-quality installations and show poor teamwork with one another. To start up this business, it usually takes around three years. If roofing problems arise though, your business can end quickly. If you are lost and don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a professional roofing contractor, we are here to help. Below are a few tips and important questions that will help you decide the right choice for you.
- How many years has the company be running?
- A company that is established will most likely be around in the future even if problems do come up.
- It is important to make sure the contractor has a permanent business office address, phone number, and email address.
- Any professional business should be able to show proof of their business address, phone number and email address. Showing this is a sign that it is a stable company that’s up and running.
- Are subcontractors being used?
- Using subcontractors can result in poor, low-quality work because these employees are paid on a per job basis and all they want to do is complete the work as quick as possible.
- Does the roofing company require a deposit? Do they also provide a written contract and estimate?
- It is very important that all job specifications and prices are also given to you in writing that way if you do speak with them in the future or if there are any problems, you have proof. A company that is established with strong financial stability usually doesn’t require a deposit, like JAC Waco Roofing & Exteriors. Deposits, however, are common but make sure the contactor isn’t requesting more than 1/3 of the price of the project.
- When doing research, check to see if the roofing company is a member of either the Better Business Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce.
- It is important to make sure the company is a member of any of the places mentioned above, look for the rating, and look for reviews and complaints.
- Make sure the company has liability insurance and if they are registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
- A professional and established company should be in good standing with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
- An established roofing contractor should be part of local and national industry associations.
- A company that is doing well and established should be a member of trade associations such as Tri-State Exteriors.
- When looking for a contractor, make sure they are a certified installer of the products they are offering.
- Contractors who are certified can offer stronger warranties on the products they install as well as follow stricter installation guidelines.
- Contractors should always offer emergency service.
- When they offer emergency service, contractors will be able to take care of any serious problem right away, even if it’s not during business hours.
- Contractors should be able to provide references of their previous customers.
- A professional company should be able to provide you with a list of happy customers who are willing to be contacted.
Just because you see a low price, doesn’t mean you should automatically choose that roofing company to complete a project. In an industry that has no control, anyone can easily become a roofing contractor. A handyman that is self-proclaimed can offer you lower prices but low-quality work. When doing your research and comparing quotes, always look for the type of materials these contractors use and their job specifications.