Hiring A Roofing Contractor? Avoid These 3 Missteps!
After a harsh winter and rainy spring, your home might be in need of some roof maintenance or even roof replacement. Whether you need brand new roof installation or just minor repairs, you'll need to find a reputable and experienced residential roofing contractor to do the job. Of course, your roofer needs to produce consistent, high-quality work. But how can you be sure you've chosen well before they ever get up on your roof? By avoiding the following five mistakes when hiring a roofing company.
Basing your decision on price alone If you need roof replacement, you'll likely need to take cost into consideration. But it certainly shouldn't be the only determining factor. Around 88% of consumers say durability of the roofing material is the most important consideration. If you make a decision based on price alone, chances are that the materials used (and the way they're installed) won't be of the highest quality. Extremely low bids are usually a big red flag. Be sure to get a few different estimates to discern a typical cost from a well-regarded company.
Not checking insurance or licensing With any kind of home improvement project, you should never make assumptions about the protections a given company has. This is especially important when it comes to roof replacement or repairs, as this job can be quite dangerous. You need to make sure that the company you use is licensed with the proper credentials and has adequate insurance coverage. This means that your contractor has to comply with building codes and that you won't be liable for any accidents that could occur on site. If you take a chance on this, it's possible that neither you nor your roofers will be protected in case of a mishap. Any reputable roofing company will be glad to provide you with credentials and insurance information so you can verify them for yourself.
Forgetting to do your research We live in the digital age, so you should use the internet to your advantage! It's never been easier to gather information on a given roofer. A quick web search can tell you almost everything you need to know about a roofing company: how long they've been in business, the experience of previous customers, whether or not they're in good standing with the BBB, and if they've had any negative reviews. Of course, you shouldn't neglect word-of-mouth recommendations, but review services like Yelp, Angie's List, and others can provide you with most of what you need to know. Whether you need to narrow down your possible candidates or you don't even know where to begin, a search engine can be an extremely valuable tool.
If you need roof replacement or repairs this summer, don't make a rash decision when it comes to the contractor you hire. Make sure the company you choose is reliable, licensed, and doesn't cut corners. That way, your new roof will last for decades to come without more work and additional costs.
