A roof is only as good as the installer who puts it on. It’s important to make sure that everything is done to manufacturer specifications. From the correct underlayment to the amount of nails in every shingle. Unfortunately some roofs fall short in nearly every category of installation because of unprofessional contractors. This is completely unacceptable and is hard for homeowners to know and catch. In this post we’ll go over some questions a homeowner can ask a roofing contractor and what to look for in a roofing company when you're ready to hire.
Roofers NOT salesmen
If someone comes to sell you a roof but can't tell you how many nails they use in each shingle or what size they are, how are they going to put on your roof? Don’t be afraid to ask a roofing contractor more detailed questions about what will be going on with your work. Most reputable contractors will state in writing everything to the brand included in the work. Anyone who comes out to your house representing a roofing company should know and communicate these things to you. Again all of this should be listed out step by step in the contract.
Communication - Do they have an office? Do they have someone you’ll be able to call and get in touch with?
This seems pretty obvious but you’d be surprised at how common it is for homeowners to not be able to get a hold of anyone when they need their roof worked on! Consider communication with the company as a MUST. How long was it before they got a representative out to see you? Are they responsive on the phone and to email? You hear horror stories all the time about companies' customer service or the fly by night roofing companies that disappear. Clear communication is key to any great roofing company.
Ask for there Roofing License and Insurance
Reputable roofing contractors should have the skills, knowledge, tools, and proper equipment to perform the job securely. Not only that, all roofing contractors should carry the proper roofing licenses and insurance to cover their crew in the event of an injury or accident. This will save you any headache in case anything happens while your roof is worked on.
References and Reviews
Reviews are a great way to see what a roofing contractor's work looks like before hiring them. It might give you a better understanding of what to expect so search online and read any reviews of a company before hiring them. You can also look on their website and see if they list photos/videos of their completed projects! Websites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook can offer insight as well.
Some more questions homeowners can ask:
What's the time frame if hired?
Are you locally owned and operated?
How long have you been in business?
What will you do in the case of inclement weather while working on your roof?
How will you protect my driveway and property while working on my home?
A reputable roofer wants to perform good work on your home or business, and will therefore easily be able to provide answers to these questions. For all your roofing needs in and around Birmingham, Alabama call Birmingham Roofs and set up your free estimate.
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