Are you planning to hire a roofer for your home improvement project? Here are 5 top tips that can help you find the best in your area.
No. 1 – Check roofers’ compensation and liability insurance.
First of all, ask your contractor about their workers’ insurance, particularly workers’ compensation and liability. This is to ensure that all roofers working on your property are insured whenever something happens in the performance of their duties. With contractor’s compensation and liability insurance in place and ready for your workers, you are excluded from any consequences that may arise due to the work. You will not be responsible for any compensation claims due to work injuries and other related cases.
To make sure the contractor has valid insurance, request their certificates and then contact your insurance provider to validate the information.
No. 2 – Patronize local contractors.
Another great tip is to create a list of local contractors in your area. Just don’t worry about those big contractors you’ve heard are coming from the neighboring towns. But why? Simple because the more local the contractor is, the easier it will be to validate their claims. If you operate in your local area, for example, people are sure to recognize you for quality work every time they take a quick survey and look for referrals or recommendations. In addition, they can easily be held accountable for what happens to the project. If the owners live in that city, then it is easy for you to track them down, whenever necessary.
Just consider those cases where homeowners can’t find their contractor when they need them most because the business has stopped, transferred, or disappeared. So better yet, choose those that are known locally. It’s easy to put everything into a written instrument, but when it comes time to get the services included in the warranty period, it can be very difficult to find the right contractor.
No. 3 – Consider factors other than just cost.
In your selection process, it’s a big no-no to choose a contractor simply because they offer the lowest price among their various options. Never do that or you will end up regretting it. The truth is that cheap deals drive down the roofing market and those contractors that include adequate overhead and insurance in their overall offer are the ones that need to set prices to cover those cheap deals.
Yes, part-time roofers may offer you a cheaper price, but as time goes by, you will get the type of work you have paid for. Many who decide simply on price end up spending more in the long run than would have been covered by an established roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty.
No. 4 – Always choose established roofers.
Of course, you can talk to roofers who are touring the neighborhood of a storm-affected area, but don’t be fooled by their offers. They’re just on the hunt for potential customers. Instead of going to them, choose a roofing contractor who has been recommended to you or has shown signs of satisfied customers.
No. 5 – Put everything in writing.
You must have full control of the project. Therefore, it is best not to release your payment until the job is completed and verified. Always make sure that you are satisfied with the result and that the payment terms have been discussed and explained well before the work begins. You and the contractor must also comply with the project.