This article was co-authored by GreatBuildz. GreatBuildz is a free service that matches homeowners with reliable, pre-screened general contractors. GreatBuildz was founded by a team of real estate and construction experts who believe everyone deserves to find a great contractor, have a stress-free renovation, and enjoy their beautiful new space. GreatBuildz connects homeowners with reputable contractors who passed their rigorous screening process and signed their code of conduct. GreatBuildz also individually selects contractors for the specific project and provides ongoing support to ensure everything goes smoothly.
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When it comes to choosing a residential roofing contractor, it's important to select an experienced contractor who can give your roof the quality it needs to keep your family and personal belongings safe from the outside elements. When choosing a roofing contractor for your home, you must seek out multiple candidates with the proper licensing and a great business reputation in your area. Continue reading to learn how you can choose a residential roofing contractor for your home.
Steps
Researching Contractors
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1Contact three roofing contractors. Treat this step just as you would if hiring a new employee. Making a bad decision regarding which contractor to hire will be very painful. Give yourself the best opportunity to make a good decision here by including several candidates before moving to step 2.
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2Research and obtain the services, fees, and warranties provided by several different roofing contractors before making the final hiring decision.
- Do not hire roofing contractors based solely on the lowest pricing bids because they may not provide the same value as contractors with slightly higher pricing.
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3Verify that the roofing contractor you hire has the required applicable business licenses for your state or local area.[1]
- If you are unsure of the business licenses required for roofing contractors in your area, contact the licensing board or Department of Professional Regulation for your area or state.
- You may also visit the Contractor's Licensing website featured in the Sources section of this article to determine the licenses required by specific states.
Verifying Contractors
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1Verify that the roofing contractor or business is legitimate by asking for their tax identification number, a business address, business website or email address, and contact phone number.
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2Ask the roofing contractor to provide you with proof of insurance, including worker's compensation and liability coverage.[2]
- Not all areas or states require roofing contractors to have insurance, but you may want to hire a person with insurance to protect yourself from lawsuits if the contractor is injured while working on your property.
- Check with the contractor to verify that the insurance covers the entire time-span during which the roofing project takes place.
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3Ask the roofing contractor for a list of references and past clients you can call to find out if they were satisfied with the work done on their roof.
- You can also research the roofing contractor's reputation by contacting your state's Department of Professional Regulation or a local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Visit the BBB website listed in the Sources section of this article or call them at 703-276-0100 in the United States and at 514-905-3893 in Canada.
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4Ask your roofing contractor for proof that shows they have been approved by the roofing manufacturer to install or work on the roof you have chosen.
- Some types of roofing may require contractors to have special training, certifications, or licenses to ensure proper installation.
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5Ask the roofing contractor how many people will be working on the roofing project for your home so you can determine how the work will be supervised and how long it will take to complete.
Finalizing Contractor Agreements
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1Read the warranty information for your project in full and check for understanding with the roofing contractor regarding any actions or exceptions that may possibly void the warranty.
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2Obtain a contract or detailed proposal in writing from the roofing contractor that will provide explicit information regarding the project.
- Information to ask for should include the length of the project, daily start and end times, roofing materials to be used, safety procedures, the amount of payment and payment schedule, and clean-up methods.
How Do I Choose The Right Remodeler?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat do I need to know before hiring a roofer?
David BitanDavid Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches.
Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional
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QuestionIs it true that roofing contractors don't repair when it's snowing?
DonaganTop AnswererYes. Don't expect any roofer to go up on a pitched roof when there's snow on it.
References
- ↑ GreatBuildz. Contractor Matching Service. Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.
- ↑ GreatBuildz. Contractor Matching Service. Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.
- http://www.bbb.org/
- http://www.contractors-license.org/
About This Article
When you're choosing a residential roofing contractor, it's usually a good idea to treat the situation like you're hiring an employee. Contact three different roofing contractors and ask them all to provide proof that their business is legitimate, like a tax identification number, business address, and business website. You should also verify if they have insurance. Not all areas require roofing contractors to have it, but it's still usually a good idea to hire someone who does to protect yourself from lawsuits if they're injured on your property. Ask for references and look for reviews online as well to determine if past clients have been satisfied with their work. Find out the services, fees, and warranties offered by each contractor before you make your decision. For more advice on how to hire the best roofing contractor, check out the full article!
