From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

PART 1Choose a Roofer with All the Right Credentials

If you need to replace your roof or have and kind of repairs done, then it’s time to go searching for a contractor. Some people would not see this as an issue with the abundance of roofing companies in their towns or cities. However, the concern here is that not all of these eager roofers have the credentials that would allow

them to operate.

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Choose a Roofer with All the Right Credentials

As a homeowner, it is your job to ensure that the roofer you are going to hire is not only competent enough to finish your roofing project, but is also licensed to provide the services that they are offering. There is much at stake here for homeowners like yourself, because you are investing thousands of dollars on a home improvement project that will help augment the overall value of your home.

So what are the credentials that roofers should have before they can become worthy of your attention? Here’s a list for you to consider:

▬ License and Permits – Simply put, if a roofer doesn’t have a license, there’s no reason to hire them. You want a company that is not only in good standing with your local and state government, but also one that is reliable in terms of the skills and equipment they have.

▬ Insurance Coverage – If you hire an uninsured roofing company and accidents happen on the job, you will have to financially cover any losses. Always check whether a roofer has insurance policy, roofing contractor bond, and worker’s compensation.

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Choose a Roofer with All the Right Credentials

ROOFING SCAMS STILL ABOUND

Remember, there are roofing scams out there. They are not limited to storm-chasers, so it pays to be wary of who you are letting into your home, or even your doorstep. You can’t let any roofer that offers you services handle your roofing project, stick to a company that has all the qualities of a trusted contractor.

▬ Certificates and Warranties – Certificates of training are a good sign of a company’s competence, while manufacturers’ warranties are proof that only materials of superior quality are going to be used on your roof, and the work will be covered by the warranty.

▬ Physical Address – Avoid fly-by-night roofers by hiring only those with a permanent address. Also check their phone number and tax identification number.

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

PART 2

A roofing project can be a costly undertaking. Whether you are getting a new roof, getting a full replacement, or about to undergo an extensive repair, you need the right roofer to get the job done. However, you cannot just hire the first contractor that offers you a good deal, nor should you hire one just because they are licensed. It might make sense to do just that, but there is much more to hiring a roofer than

what most people think. Here’s why.

Get a Roofer with aSolid Reputation

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Get a Roofer with a Solid Reputation

FIND THAT ROOFER THAT EVERYONE LOVES

If you’ve read the previous post, then you would know all too well about the importance of having all the right credentials. However, a roofer can have all the licenses and permits required to operate in your area, but can still be regarded as an unreliable roofer by friends and neighbors. Licenses and permits are mandatory and should be automatically considered without question, but would you settle for a substandard (yet still passable) service when you can find one that is exceptional?

If you want the best service, you have to do some research. Here’s what you can do:

SEE WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING ABOUTTHE COMPANY

A stellar reputation is something that many businesses strive to gain, but only a few can achieve, so look for companies with an excellent track record. Ask for references, talk to their previous customers, and look at online reviews.Ask the following questions:

▬ Are there any complaints from customers? ▬ How long have they been in the business? ▬ Do they provide excellent customer service? ▬ Are they known for superior workmanship? ▬ How well do they stick to the schedule? ▬ Do they use quality materials? ▬ How accurate are their estimates? ▬ How do they dispose of trash? ▬ Do they keep in touch after job completion?

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

PART 3Hire a Roofer, Only Ifthe Price is Right

So you have reached the third stage of hiring a roofing contractor, congratulations! In our two previous posts, we have discussed (1) the importance of hiring a roofer with all the right credentials and (2) why it pays to check a contractor’s reputation before you can consider hiring them. Now our focus is on getting the company with the most to offer in terms of value for your money, without sacrificing on quality.

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Hire a Roofer, Only If the Price is Right

FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN COST AND QUALITY

In choosing the roofer for your installation, repair, or replacement project, a great deal of comparison and analysis is needed in order to get the best one for the job. Some people choose haphazardly and just hire the roofer with the cheapest offer, only to have the whole thing redone because there were too many mistakes made. There are even those who pay extra in thinking they will get superb service, only to end up getting poor work quality for double or triple the average roofing rates.

The key here is to find that sweet spot between satisfactory work and reasonable pricing. That is what you should base your final decision on (after considering both the credentials and reputation, of course).

To give you an idea of what your roofing project is going to cost, you can check out www.roofcalc.org. There you can determine possible estimates for three types of roofing (metal, asphalt, and flat) based on the following criteria:

▬ House dimensions

▬ Pitch (roof slope)

▬ Complexity of the roof

▬ Layers to be torn off

▬ Number of levels

▬ Type of roofing material

▬ Region where you are residing (for US residents only)

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Hire a Roofer, Only If the Price is Right

Other considerations are roof size, ventilation (for installation), roof flashing (to be done), labor costs, waste disposal costs, overhead costs, and of course, the company’s profit.

These factors are generally what makes a price go up or down the national (or state) average, so it also pays to know what these numbers are. Simply check out the 2015 Cost vs. Value Report online to get an idea. Lastly, do not hesitate to compare prices from different roofers (those you have pre-screened already to avoid repeating the selection process).

From Lists to Warranties: A 3-Stage Guide to Hiring a Roofing Contractor

VINYLUME HOME IMPROVEMENT2041 West Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902

866-244-8029www.VinylumeINC.com