Use These Steps to Find a Reputable Roofer

1. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

2. Once you have a list of prospects, call them and ask these questions:

·         Do they take on projects of your size? This one will almost always be a Yes, but it is a good starting point to get the contractor’s interest and attention

·         Can they supply a list of previous clients as references?

·         Are they willing to provide financial references from banks and suppliers?

·         How many other projects will they be working on while doing your roof?

·         Will they be using subcontractors? If so, how long have they worked with them?

This information will tell you how reliable they are, how much attention they’ll give to your project and how smoothly the work will go.

3. From your phone conversations, choose three to four contractors to come to your home for estimates. Don’t go on personality alone. Be sure to check their reputation with their past clients and/or BBB, rip off report, Angie’s List if you have it, etc.

4. Follow up on the information you’ve gathered. Call their clients to see if they are satisfied with the work and service they’ve received.

5. When prospective contractors visit your home, they should inspect the roof, along with the attic insulation and ventilation system in place. If you have a rather complex roof, they may ask to see the blueprints if you have them, which can help with the measurements and ordering of materials.

6. To accurately compare bids, ask for a breakdown of the contractors’ estimates. The estimate should include cost of materials, labor, other expenses and profit margin. Remember if companies aren’t making profits, they won’t be around to cover your warranty.

7. Throw out the low-ball bid. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

8. Go with your gut. You must be comfortable with not only their ability to do the work, but also how you feel around them. Trust is a major factor when hiring a contractor. They’ll be at your home for several hours; you need to feel comfortable talking to them; as well as get a sense that they are being fair, and honest.

More on the Importance of Hiring a Reputable Contractor

It can be very tempting to go with the crew offering to save you money on such a large investment. However, when you choose a company based purely on the lowest bid, it will likely cost you more in the long run.

What you can expect from a disreputable roofer:

·         They are likely to cut corners to save time on installation at your expense.

·         They are likely to use low quality materials.

·         They don’t necessarily adhere to the building codes.

·         They often hire uninsured, illegal immigrant workers.

·         They go through a job too quickly, thereby not doing quality work.

·         They’re often not properly insured.

·         They’re usually not licensed, if licensing is required in your state.

Of course, hiring someone who is skilled in his trade and takes pride in his work will cost more than a fly-by-night organization. But, you get what you pay for.