Roofing Blog

Getting a new roof for your home is a massive investment. If you get it right, your brand-new roof will give you peace of mind and raise your home’s value. If you get it wrong, it can cause frustration and extensive damage to your home’s exterior and interior.

So when hiring a roofing contractor, it’s critical to go for one that’ll do their job professionally and correctly. Many consumer agencies, including the Better Business Bureau, receive numerous complaints against roofing contractors yearly.

Sadly, most states hardly have any regulations to speak of that govern roofing installers and contractors. They also don’t have building code requirements on roofing, which puts the buyer in a precarious situation when it’s time to replace their home’s roof.

Even if you perform due diligence, there’s always the risk of hiring a contractor that doesn’t do their job well and professionally. Since getting into the roofing business is relatively easy, the industry has no shortage of unscrupulous and poorly trained individuals.

So, how do you know you’re selecting the best roofing professional for your project? Here are five vital questions to ask prospective contractors, and their answers should help you pick the right candidate. 

Are You Licensed?

First, you should ask any roofing contractor if they’re a licensed, insured, and bonded company. 

• To get licensed, roofing contractors must sign up with the state’s contractor licensing board. The cost of their services determines what license they get.
• All roofing contractors must be completely insured with worker’s compensation, general liability, and vehicle insurance on all leased and owned vehicles.
• When a company is bonded, it means that the bonding company is satisfied that the roofing contractor conducts business correctly and ethically. If a roofing contractor is bonded, you can turn to the bonding company if the contractor fails to do their job correctly or goes under in the middle of a project.

Ask to see hard copies of their license, insurance, and bond. A reputable roofing contractor should be more than willing and proud to share copies of these documents.

How Long Have You Been Providing Roofing Services?

Everyone has to begin somewhere, right? But would you want a newly launched roofing company to make your roofing project their guinea pig? I don’t think so! Ask prospective roofing companies how long they’ve been operational and how long their staff has worked in roofing. 

Unfortunately, some roofing companies open their doors, complete projects, and shut up shop within a few years for various reasons. If you hire an inexperienced roofing contractor, you’ll have no recourse in case your roof is damaged, or you later find out they did a shoddy job.

Be sure to hire a roofing company that’s been in business for at least five years in your area and has built a strong reputation. This doesn’t mean that any roofing contractor that’s been in business for a long time is better than others, and it simply means they’ll be there for you in case of a problem. 

Do You Offer Warranties?

If yes, for how long? It’s wise to ask if the roofing company offers a warranty to protect your investment. Ask them if they offer one on the roofer’s workmanship and another on roofing materials.

Warranties usually cover materials, workmanship, and labor. You might get a separate warranty from the company that makes materials for your new roof. For this reason, it’s important to choose a contractor that does high-quality roof installation because a shoddy job can void the materials warranty provided by the manufacturer. 

Ask the roofing company if they offer an extended or even lifetime warranty on your type of roof. Also, ask for hard copies of all the warranties that come with your new roof. 

What Materials Do You Use?

Ask your prospective roofer what roofing materials they work with. Asking this question is an easy way to learn about your roofing options. It also helps you unpack more technical matters, like how the roofing materials or roof design will perform (which includes how it stands up to different weather events). 

A contractor offering various asphalt shingle roofing options offers extra flexibility in roof design. Many property owners need to be aware that asphalt shingles come in multiple choices other than what they usually see around their neighborhood, like the wildly popular dimensional shingles.

In most cases, reputable roofing contractors work with the following materials at the very least:

• Metal roofing materials: Steel and aluminum are extremely popular materials since they’re fireproof and durable. They are more expensive than shingles, though!
  
  
• Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles are the most affordable and most common roofing materials. They’re available in various styles and colors and at different price points.
  
  
• Ceramic and clay tiles: Spanish-style roofs are undoubtedly magnificent, and you may want to choose them for your property. Ceramic and clay tiles are rugged and fire-resistant and perform well during inclement weather.
  
  
• Slate: Natural slate is durable and heavy, and it offers a luxurious aesthetic. Your roofing contractor can guide you through your slate choices. And if you wish to avoid the hefty cost but want the look, you can opt for synthetic slate.
  
  

You should also check for manufacturer designations. Do the leading suppliers of roofing materials and shingles work with the roofing contractor? Roofing material manufacturers work only with contractors that are known to deliver the highest quality roof installations.

Do You Have Homeowner References?

Ask prospective contractors for references from past clients. This will let you better gauge their workmanship through testimonials and reviews. You can also ask for their portfolio of completed projects.

It’s also wise to do some sleuth work online to find out what people have to say about the roofer you’re considering. Search the contractor’s name to discover genuine experiences from real customers. 

Schedule Your Roof Inspection Today!

Before hiring a roofer, these are some of the most critical questions to ask to ensure you get the best possible contractor. You should also know the right answers to these questions to make the right decision. 

Once you ask the questions above, you’ll be well on your way to choosing a reputable and experienced Columbus roofing contractor that suits you best.