December 12, 2022

How To Choose The Right Roofing Contractor

One of the things people won’t tell you about building construction is the huge cost of roofing. Despite the huge cost, you already understand its importance in providing shelter against weather elements. Choosing the right roofing Santa Cruz CA and roofing contractors can make the cost worthwhile.

Considering the growing number of roofing contractors in any local community, selecting one from the pool can be tough. Many homeowners admit they had a hard time choosing the best available roofers in their community. Others attested to recommendations being the deciding factor, while a huge number of property owners lamented losing money to incompetent roofers.

So, how do you choose a roofing contractor? Below are some of the important things to keep in mind during your search.

Roofing Contractor Qualification

Qualification is a vast umbrella term when it comes to hiring a roofer. There are many small things you should pay attention to before signing a roofer to handle your project.

Below are some of those important areas to focus on;

Experience: Experience is a huge part of your hiring decision. You deserve to work with an experienced roofer who has handled similar projects in the past. An experienced roofer also knows the common issues they may encounter and can improvise to address those problems. When seeking experience, look for roofers with more than 5-years of practice experience.

Another important factor to consider is the number of projects the roofer has handled. Obviously, it would help if you went for a roofer who has handled more projects successfully. For example, it is better to choose a roofer with two years of experience that has handled 100 roofing projects than one with five years of experience and ten projects.

Licensed and insured: A roofing license is what sets a roofer or roofing company apart from any DIY person on the street. Most states and local authorities have strict guidelines for obtaining roofing licenses. You can be sure that your roofer has passed the minimum requirement to handle your project.

You should also never compromise on insurance. Ensure that the roofers you’re vetting have the right insurance coverage for their business and the services rendered. An uninsured roofer puts you at risk, especially if anyone is injured on your property during the project.

Bonded: Bonding means that the roofer has money available to cater to your claims, especially when they did a bad roofing job. This gives you the guarantee and peace of mind that you can recoup your money should the roofers do a bad job.

Willingness to provide references: Roofers who are proud of their work should be willing and ready to provide references. Be sure to ask for these references and contact them. You can also go online to read reviews on independent review platforms. The reviews will give you a good idea of what to expect from the roofer.

Willingness to provide an estimate: Your roofer should be willing to provide an estimate for the services and materials needed. This estimate gives you an idea of what they are charging as fees, the materials used, etc.

You can also use estimates as a basis for comparison. Collect estimates from two or more roofers and compare what they’re offering.

Roofing Contractor Services

The services offered by the roofing contractor also matter in the selection process. Choosing a roofer that offers a variety of services can save time and stress of looking for others at a later time. Some of the common services you should expect the roofer to offer include;

Roof inspections: Roof inspections always come first. This is where the roofer checks your roof for minor or major damages and what’s needed to fix them. Inspections usually check for leaks and damages.

Repairs and maintenance: Roof repairs are cheaper and help to keep you protected. Roof maintenance practices prolong your roof’s lifespan and help you get more value for your money.

Installation or replacement services: Your roofer should offer roofing installations and replacement services. Installations for new constructions and replacements for old roofs.

Other nice to have services you can look out for include;

· Weatherproofing, insulation, and ventilation services

· Shoveling or snow removal service

· Roof sealing, painting, and treatment

· Debris removal

· Roof cleaning

· Gutter services

The more services the roofer offers, the better protection you’ll get for your roof.

Questions to ask your roofer

Having scaled the hurdles and proven themselves to be true professionals, you can relax your guard and ask questions to help you make the final selection. Some of the recommended questions to ask during the hiring phase include;

What types of roofing do you install?

Depending on your needs, your roofer should be familiar with residential or commercial roofing types. As a homeowner, you’re better off working with a roofer familiar with common residential roofing types like asphalt shingle, slate roofing, tile roofing, metal roofing, etc.

As a commercial property owner, you need a roofer knowledgeable in flat roofing, rubber roofing, EPDM roofing, etc.

Do you work with homeowner’s insurance to file claims?

A roofer that works with the homeowner to file insurance claims after heavy damage can save time and energy. You should ask this question and ask about the company’s process. This can significantly affect your quality of life after a disaster affects your roof.

Do you have a current license to work in my area?

You should be sure that the roofer is legally allowed to work in your area. Roofers without the appropriate license should be shunned.

What type of insurance do you have? What is the coverage?

It is not enough for your roofer to be insured. You should ask to know the type of coverage they have. Roofers with comprehensive insurance coverage offer a higher level of peace of mind.

Do you offer a free on-site inspection?

On-site inspections are the status quo. Avoid roofers who offer quotes on the phone without seeing your home. You should also ask about the cost of the on-site inspection. Most roofers offer free on-site inspection and quotes to customers.

Will you give me a written estimate?

Written estimates give a breakdown of what the roofer intends to do, the problems, the fixes, and the costs. You can use this estimate to compare two or more roofers before deciding who to hire.

Ask whether the roofer offers a detailed written estimate and at what cost.

The considerations above can guide you in selecting the perfect roofer for your roofing project. You can, however, save yourself the stress by contacting experienced and vetted roofers at https://sheltonroofing.com/