The contractor you hire has a huge impact on your home and wallet!

Projects around your home may seem never ending, but most homeowners can agree that the roof should take priority. While plenty of home projects can be DIY, it is probably best to hand roofing projects off to the professionals. Considering your roof is the first defense against harsh storms, blistering hot summers, and frigid winters, you’ll want to make sure your roof is installed correctly.

But how do you go about hiring a roofing contractor? What questions should you ask? And are there specific qualifications you can look for?

These are common questions every homeowner asks. That’s why we are breaking down the top things to look for when hiring a roofing contractor. This will help you choose the right roofer so you can get a quality roof repair or replacement!

Top Things to Look for When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

There are many things to consider when hiring a roofing contractor. While we are breaking down the top things to look for, it is best to look at reviews, BBB ratings, and any other information you can find on them before you sign anything.

Do they Have Insurance?

Before work begins on your home, you want to make sure the roofing company has the proper insurance – worker’s compensation and liability insurance. If the company doesn’t carry liability insurance, you could be responsible for covering any damage that has been done to your property. Also, if they do not have workman’s comp, you could be liable if someone gets injured on your property. Ask to see their insurance certificate.

Is the Price Too Good to be True?

It’s important to remember that price isn’t everything when it comes to your roofing project. Do not choose a company based on the price. After all, the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Customers that choose a company that works for very cheap may find themselves working with a company that is inexperienced or working without insurance. This could end up costing homeowners more money in repairs.

Do they Offer the Details in Writing?

To stay on top of the job, make sure you get all the details in writing. This includes how long the job will take, the size of the crew, completion day, and a clear explanation of the cost. If they run into issues and find other things that need to be repaired on your roof, will that add to the quote, or is it included?

How do their Reviews Look?

Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or other sites for ratings on roofing companies and make sure they have a good score. Stay away from contractors who do not exist on BBB or on other web reviews. At a minimum, you can check their Google rating to see how past customers have rated their experience.

What Warranties do they Offer?

Does the company offer a warranty? Not all contractors offer workmanship warranties. It may take months or years for damage to show up from incorrectly installed roofs. Will the company fix their mistakes?

Contractor Red Flags

There are a few red flags to look for when hiring a roofing contractor. The most important to be wary of is the traveling roofers. Often considered ‘storm chasers’, these roofers follow severe weather and will be there to knock on your door with a fast and cheap solution after a storm hits. While this might sound fine at first, the problem is these guys are not local and will not have any negative repercussions if or when they do a bad job. So when your new roof starts leaking, they won’t be there to be held accountable. Worst yet, if you already filed an insurance claim, odds are these next repairs or replacement will come out of your pocket.

Other red flags to look for are obviously poor or fake reviews. If a fairly new roofer has 300+ 5-star reviews, odds are they paid someone to fraudulently leave these reviews. If a roofer has a suspicious amount or a fairly large average rating, it is probably best to avoid these guys to ensure you are getting a quality roof on your home.

The biggest red flag we are going to cover is when a contractor doesn’t have insurance or offer any warranties. Insurance is a standard in this industry. No homeowner wants to be held liable if damage is done to your property during installation, or worse, someone gets hurt. This will be a costly mistake, so it is best to avoid it.

Warranties are less serious, but in today’s day and age, just about any roofer worth their salt will offer warranties. At a minimum you will get a manufacturer’s warranty for the shingles they install. More often than not, they will offer a workmanship warranty covering their installation or repair. In general, the longer the warranty offered, the better work you are probably going to get.

Hiring the Right Contractor for Your Home

When it comes to your roof, make sure you do your research. Don’t choose Joe Schmoe off the street to handle one of the most important aspects of your house unless you know for sure they are insured and have the proper experience. At Dreamworx Exteriors, we have over 30 years of experience under our belts. Our roofing contractors can handle all kinds of repairs and replacement to keep your house protected. Contact us today for more information.

Charlie Anderson

“Living comfortably at home means living in a safe, cozy house that protects you from outside elements.” -Dreamworx Co-Owner, Charlie Anderson