El Cerrito resident Sarah Martinez hired a roofer to fix a hole in her cedar shake roof three weeks ago. She expected to have a reliable, competent contractor fix a leaky spot on her roof, but three weeks and one heavy rain later, she has a worse roof, and no sign of her contractor or his company. Calls to the company’s numbers ring to voicemail.
Start With Proper Licensing and Insurance Verification
Make sure your roofer has all the proper licenses to legally be a roofing contractor in your area and understands the local building codes and safety regulations. You should be able to check their license on their website and on your state’s licensing board website.
Don’t forget to ask about insurance! If a contractor is not properly insured, you could be held responsible for any damages to or from the work performed on your home, or even injured by the contractor or his employees. Ask to see proof of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and then verify with the insurance company that the contractor does, in fact, have an active policy in place. “It’s being processed,” or similar excuses or promises to furnish proof of insurance at a later date are not acceptable.
Research Their Track Record
Read reviews for a product or service to help you plan your next home improvement project. While some reviews will have great information on the product/service or some features, other reviews are from the perspective of the consumer who has used the service in the past. While not all reviews will be glowing, take note of how the contractor responds to less-than-positive reviews. A quality contractor will respond in a professional manner to legitimate complaints and/or concerns. In today’s world, reviews can give you good insight as to a company’s character – and respond to negative comments better than a string of 5-star reviews.
You can find references on a contractor’s website or through their brochure, but those are no substitute for local references. Also important is the contractor’s experience with the area. Familiarity with the local terrain, construction practices, and climate is crucial. But don’t just stop with references. Be sure to contact the most recent homeowners and ask them for a detailed description of the contractor’s work ethic and quality. You will find that the majority of homeowners will be more than willing to share their insight.
Evaluate Their Inspection Process and Detailed Estimates
Get a pre-quote roof inspection done by a contractor before you ever receive a quote for any roof repairs. Roof repairs can quickly turn into a roof replacement. The contractor will look for obvious damage, but make sure they are also looking for underlying structural damage, poor roof ventilation, etc. It will save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run if the roofer knows exactly what the scope of work will be before you begin.
Written estimates from quality professionals should clearly outline project scope and associated costs for completion. The estimate should include all details of materials required to complete the job, including manufacturer and grade where applicable. The contractor should also indicate the total cost of the work and provide an estimated time frame in which to complete the job. In addition, they should outline their plan for removing and disposing of cleanup debris. This will allow homeowners to understand the total investment before project initiation. A very low-ball estimate may indicate that the contractor has intentions of “cutting corners” in order to complete the bid.
Quality roofing installation requires an investment in materials and labor. So it can be tempting to accept a very low bid from a contractor with the hope of saving money up front. In the end, however, it will likely cost you much more in the long run when a low bid turns out to be cheap materials and substandard work. A quality roofing contractor can offer a complete inspection of your roof to identify any areas that need repair, as well as carry out any necessary preventative maintenance on your existing roof. Find roofing contractors in Jersey City NJ, today.
Material Sources and Warranties Matter
You want a contractor to use quality supplies and to stand behind the supplies and work until repair or replacement is needed. Ask the contractor about the supplies he will use and the warranty for the materials and work. Some manufacturers provide a limited warranty on the shingles for 25-30 years; the contractor provides a warranty for his work on your roof for an even longer period of time. A quality contractor stands behind his work for years, not just until the work is completed.
Do I get to see examples of flooring materials? Am I going to get manufacturer-certified products? What are the material grades and specifications? A quality contractor should be able to provide you with examples of subfloors, flooring, adhesives, and underlayment he has used in past projects. If not, it may indicate that he uses substandard or incorrect products for flooring and will try to avoid the subject.
Communication Reveals Everything
A professional contractor will arrive on time for consultations, will provide you with a comprehensive scope of work contract before commencement of the contract, and keep you informed as to the progress of the job. It is unusual for a poor communicator in the sales process to continue that manner of communication after the contract is signed.
Be aware of door-to-door salespeople, being asked to pay in full up front, and high-pressure sales. These are all indications of unprofessionalism and poor business practices. Quality roofing contractors understand the investment a roof is to your home. They understand that any major decision should not be made overnight.
Making the Decision
You’ve read the fine print. You’ve asked the questions. But there is something more important than reading the contract carefully and all the reviews online. You must determine early on if you will enjoy dealing with the contractor daily. Yes, bid out jobs and get references. But don’t stop there. Does the contractor seem thoroughly licensed and bonded for the work to be performed? Is the scope of work detailed, and does he provide a clear explanation for every line item? Does he look professional and speak clearly? Can he complete the job in a reasonable timeframe? This is the value proposition you should weigh most heavily.
Roof replacements and major repairs can affect a home in a significant way – for life. Research prospective roofing contractors before hiring. Sarah Martinez didn’t, now she’s dealing with the headache. A quality roof installation will last for years and give you peace of mind during the worst of weather. See more