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Originally Posted On: https://myresidentialservices.com/how-to-choose-the-right-contractor-for-your-roof-replacement-project/

 

Roofing is a complex and technical field. It’s also one of the most important parts of your house, so you want to make sure that it’s done right!

If you’ve decided that a roof replacement is required to solve the problems with your home’s existing roof, now you have to choose a contractor. Roof replacements are expensive and time-consuming projects, so it’s vital that you choose the right contractor for the job.

In this article, we’ll discuss some guidelines for choosing the best company to complete your roof replacement.

 

Tips on How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Roof Replacement Project and its Benefits

 

1. Get multiple estimates from multiple contractors, which will give you a better sense of what different companies charge for exactly the same service.

In order to get an accurate quote, always ask each contractor if there are any additional fees or charges they will assess during or after completion of the work. If there are hidden costs buried in the fine print, you might be able to negotiate for better rates.

While some consumers want to get the most affordable price possible, it doesn’t make sense if another contractor can do better quality work for less money in return because that will lead to more savings. The contractor might be able to take care of things like dumpster rental, debris removal, and other parts of the job as well without charging extra fees.

Benefit: You can rest assured that you won’t be getting ripped off with sky-high prices because the roofer will give you an accurate estimate for your work instead of overcharging once they arrive at your home or office. This way, it’s easier to stick with your original budget and avoid going over if possible.

The contractor will provide you with an estimate for your roof replacement project beforehand, so there’s no need to stress over dealing with another bill after having the work completed.

 

2. Make sure that the contractor has a good reputation, and avoid those with negative feedback or complaints from previous customers.

This is typically available in online reviews or publicly provided customer service ratings from other homeowners who have used their services before.

It never hurts to ask for references and speak to people who have used the contractors you are considering before.

Benefits: If you choose someone with a good reputation, it means that they are well-liked and will make sure to do their best to provide you with the roof replacement service you need. You can rest assured that quality work is guaranteed, so there’s no reason to stress about having subpar results because everyone wants the best for their home!

Choosing contractors with better reputations ensures that you’ll get better customer service overall. This way, your questions will be answered promptly and completely instead of leaving you in the dark about what to expect.

 

3. Ask each contractor if they are licensed and insured.

This should be clearly stated on their website or within every written quote they provide you. The last thing anyone wants is to hire someone who doesn’t have proper insurance; if something goes wrong during or after your roof replacement project, that can lead to serious problems later.

Benefit: You can trust that your roof replacement contractor takes safety measures seriously because they carry insurance and have thorough training in their field, which makes customers feel more secure throughout the duration of their project.

Contractors typically offer comprehensive warranties as well as insurance, which is beneficial for homeowners who want their property protected in case anything goes wrong during the job.

 

4. Make sure that the roof replacement company has staff available 24/7, especially during emergencies when strong winds can rip shingles off a roof practically overnight.

That will ensure that all calls get picked up right away instead of having to wait until normal business hours for an emergency response or repair work if needed.

Benefits: You can rest assured that someone will be there to help you out if you have an emergency, so it helps to look for contractors who provide round-the-clock service.

This ensures that the contractor is prepared and ready to help you in case of a crisis situation. It also means that they’ll get your roof replacement project done faster because they won’t have to worry about sleeping or working during odd hours while others are at work.

 

5. If possible, meet with one or more of the roofing company’s employees in person to see how well they communicate and whether their demeanor is professional enough for your liking.

While it might be okay for some customers to only interact with customer support staff over the phone, other homeowners may want a face-to-face meeting because it can provide them with comfort by putting a real human being on the line instead of just someone at the end of an email address or an online chat window.

Benefits: This not only ensures that the roof replacement company’s employees are professional; it also builds trust with customers because they can put a face to each name. It gives homeowners peace of mind because you’re more likely to feel secure about an unknown contractor if you’ve met their staff members.

 

7. If you know your home was built before a certain year, such as 1960 or 1970, you should also ask if the roof replacement company has experience with roofing systems like yours and knows how to fix them efficiently.

There can be compatibility issues that can potentially lead to leaks or other problems depending on the age of your property; some contractors may not understand those intricacies and charge you for an additional service call which would have been necessary regardless.

Benefits: If you know your roof is old and outdated, you can look for contractors with specific experience working on roofs from that era so they have the tools and knowledge necessary to do a proper job.

 

8. Ask whether they offer warranties on their workmanship for a certain time period after completion of the job, especially since some contractors think it isn’t worth offering any warranty at all.

A guarantee against shoddy workmanship is always beneficial for homeowners because it shows that the roof replacement company cares about its reputation and is willing to back up its work with a warranty.

Benefits: You can rest assured that if something goes wrong with your roofing system within a certain time period, the contractor will be there to help you resolve the issue.

 

9. Be sure that the roof replacement contractor is happy to work with whatever types of shingle or material you want to be installed on your property.

Some homeowners may only be looking for asphalt roofs while others may prefer clay tiles depending on whether they’re more aesthetically pleasing and/or durable in different climates, so it’s important that the roof replacement company has knowledge of all available materials before committing themselves.

Benefits: You can get help choosing the right roofing material for your property because contractors know what’s available and can give you their professional opinion based on location.

 

10. Make sure that your roof replacement contractor offers thorough inspections along with their quotes.

They should inspect your property from top to bottom and discuss which areas need attention more than others.

Benefits: The contractor will know exactly what needs to be repaired and how much it’ll cost, giving homeowners a better idea of their roofing system’s overall condition.

 

11. Ask if the roof replacement company typically works with insurance companies or delivers estimates directly to homeowners, as it can make a huge difference in terms of getting the best deal possible.

Some contractors only work with insurance companies because of how difficult it can be for individual homeowners to pay out of pocket, while other contractors provide both types of services because they want to retain their customers after minimal damage claims are settled by insurers instead of full roof replacements that are costlier.

Benefits: Homeowners who already have an insurance plan in place can get reimbursed for roof replacement costs while those without any type of coverage can save money by working directly with the roofing company instead of waiting on an adjuster to come out and issue a check.

 

12. Sealing off certain areas of your home before starting on the repair project is standard practice, so you should ask whether the contractor will do this for you or not.

If they don’t, you should expect a higher cost because it would be an additional service call from another contractor. Some contractors will include those costs in their initial quote to simplify the process, while others may have to charge more for an additional service fee depending on how much time they spend working on your building and what supplies they need to bring along with them as well as any extras that need to be included.

Benefits: The more thorough the job, the better; sealing off certain areas of the home prevents debris from dropping down and potentially getting everywhere while roof shingles or tiles get torn up.

 

13. Find out if your roof replacement contractor is available for follow-up inspections within a certain amount of time after work has been completed to make sure that everything has gone smoothly and there aren’t any leaks.

If they’re unavailable for any reason, you may have to reschedule the date in order to get a second opinion on whether everything was done properly so it’s best to look for a company that doesn’t go on vacation often or takes large amounts of time off in general so customers can easily reach them with issues or concerns.

Benefits: It’s always nice to know that help is available if you need it, especially since many homeowners are unaware of which roofing companies are the most reputable or whether their promises are entirely truthful.

 

What licenses must a roofing contractor have?

A roofing contractor in the United States must have a license in order to work on any property.

The contractor must have a license from the state in which they are working and must also carry insurance. The contractor must provide proof of insurance to the property owner before starting work.

In the United States, roofing contractors cannot obtain a license unless they have had eighteen hours of instruction and four hours of actual hands-on training. The contractor must also show proof that they have a minimum of two years of experience working as a roofer before applying for a license.

The business must be properly registered with the Secretary of State in order to obtain an occupational license. In addition, the roofing contractor is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance upon hiring employees. Employees are covered under this policy while working on any property from which the contractor is being paid. On average this policy costs between 1% and 3% of earned revenue, depending upon state laws. Most insurance companies will not write policies for new companies without first requiring some form of title insurance to protect themselves.

The roofing contractor must also carry commercial general liability insurance which protects them in case anything goes wrong during the job performed for their customer. The roofing company is liable for any damage they may cause during this time unless they have specific coverage protecting them from damages that occur on a property (or by not completing or improperly completing the contracted work). This also protects customers should anything happen while the roofer is working on their home.

For example, if someone falls off of a ladder onto another person, the injured party could sue the roofing contractor unless they had coverage to protect themselves. Any part of someone’s body above six feet above ground level is at risk with most homeowners policies and special permission must usually be obtained from the insured to work on a roof without additional insurance.

While some states require licenses of roofers or require proof of insurance before allowing someone to get a license, Texas does neither (as it is not mandated under state law). However, we do recommend that you check to see if your contractor has these forms of proof on file with their Secretary of State Business License and Insurance Certificate.

If the roofer or roofing company doesn’t have these items available when you hire them then be very wary and try and confirm that they are insured by speaking with their insurance company and confirming that they have an in-force policy (you can also confirm that the contractor’s bond is in effect by calling the Secretary of State in Texas and asking).

If this information isn’t available, then you should contact the roofing company and ask for copies of these licenses and certificates. These forms typically cost around $30 or so to obtain from your state so this might be a red flag if they don’t want to spend the money on them!

Keeping these points in mind will help eliminate some potential roofer problems through proper research. Be sure to call references, get roofer insurance requirements out of any roof contracting companies you consider hiring, and check with your county/state licensing agency before signing a contract or giving anyone any

 

Are you looking for a roofing contractor?

Texan Residential Services is the best choice for your next residential roof replacement project. We’re an experienced, full-service company that has been in business since 2012 and we have more than 10 years of experience working on roofs. We also offer free estimates!

You can trust us to handle your entire job from start to finish – including all permits, inspections, and clean-up. Our team will be there every step of the way so you don’t have to worry about anything except enjoying your new roof! And with our unbeatable warranty, you can rest easy knowing that we stand behind our work 100%. That means if something goes wrong during or after installation, we’ll fix it at no cost to you. It doesn’t get better than that!