When you need a new roof or repair, you want a company that is proud of their work, builds great relationships with their customers and stands by the services provided by each licensed contractor. Insurance claims require a full evaluation of damage to the roof and underlying structure. Hire a roofer who knows how to navigate the insurance process so the insurance company can’t take advantage of you. There should be no need to go back and forth with the insurance company when a roofing expert handles the claim. If you want to avoid a bad roofing experience, here are six crucial questions to ask when choosing your roofing company.
1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
If your neighbor or friend referred a roofer and you can’t find much information about them online, ask for this paperwork upfront. A reputable contractor or roofing company provides evidence that they can do the job correctly. A license ensures the contractor understands the regulations for proper construction in your state. A bond offers security in case the contractor goes out of business before completing your job. And workman’s compensation and general liability insurance covers the contractor’s employees if they are injured or do any damage to the property.
2. What are your guarantees on workmanship and warranties on materials?
There will be a warranty on materials that is separate from guaranteed workmanship, so get the specifics. A warranty on shingles and other roofing materials is provided by the manufacturer and can range from one year to a lifetime. Your asphalt or architectural shingles may be warrantied for 15 to 40 years, depending on the quality of the material. The roofer’s work and guarantees to back it vary by company. This should be described in a formal contract after they have gone over things like materials, timelines, and estimates with you.
3. What are my out-of-pocket costs?
A reputable roofing company has relationships with major insurance companies. They can explain how your deductible works and if a deposit is needed upfront that will be reimbursed by your insurance carrier later. Some insurance companies will simply send a check for the estimated amount minus the deductible, then negotiate any additional costs during the project with the roofer. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent if you don’t know your deductible. Both you and your roofer get a copy of the specific work being done and the dollar amount covered from your adjuster.
4. If there’s a problem, who will I call?
Be sure you know who will be managing your project during installation and who to call if there is a problem during or after project completion. If you hire a local roofer, the owner should be easy to reach and responsive to your questions. You should receive a business card with contact information and be able to access a website address with the same information. Ask for references from some recent customers or read reviews and testimonials to get an idea of how the roofing company handled their project. If the contractor is not local, they may not be in the area when you have follow-up questions or further repairs. A reputable roofer is there for you for annual inspections and emergencies too.
5. How will my property be protected during the project?
First, read the contract carefully and discuss the steps your roofer will take to protect your landscaping, lighting fixtures, lawn, gutters, and driveway from debris and trampling. If your roof is being replaced, it is the roofing company’s responsibility to bring a refuse container to the site and place it in a safe area where it won’t damage your property. Sharp objects like nails, roof tacks, and screws should be removed from your lawn.
6. How long will it take, and what will happen if there is inclement weather?
A new roof can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your roof’s size, the number of contractors on the crew, and the weather. If it rains during the project, the roofer should be prepared to secure tarps or plastic sheeting to the roof to protect any open areas. They should return to the site as soon as the weather permits them to do the project safely. Ask them directly if they have enough contractors to complete the job timely. You should not have to wonder if it will take days or weeks to finish the project.
Asking a few basic questions will determine whether the roofing company has been in business long enough to experience potential problems and learned how to avoid them. Be wary of estimates that seem unusually low. Not only does this mean they aren’t sure how to bid the job, but they have not factored in additional help or expenses should they discover structural or scheduling issues during the project. You don’t want to find yourself looking for a new roofer and trying to recover a deposit should things go south.
At Rose Roofing, licensed contractors are happy to answer all of your questions honestly. We guarantee our work, so you can feel confident to call us whenever you need us. Insurance claims are thoroughly discussed to let you know what to expect before signing contracts and getting started. Rose Roofing only uses high-quality materials from trusted suppliers with recommended manufacturer warranties.
