In the aftermath of a storm, a hard-hit community often fills up with people who want you to hire them to put a new roof on your property. Unfortunately, many people end up taking your money and quickly disappearing. In other cases, they will put a new roof on your building using the least expensive materials possible. Plenty of others, though, are reliable and worth working together with. Before you hand one of these individuals your insurance check or your hard-earned money, consider this list of do’s and don’ts.
Follow These Tips to Hire a Good Roofing Contractor
Taking a little time to choose a great roofing contractor can save you a lot of heartache.
Seek Referrals
Talk to your coworkers, friends, and neighbors who have recently gotten new roofs to see who they used and if they would recommend their contractor to you. Ask about the quality of work, timeline adherence, and professionalism during the project. After you have asked several people, determine if there is a consensus about who you should use. It may help to take notes during this part of the project so that you do not become confused.
If you can’t find anyone in person, social media is another good option. Apps like Nextdoor are specifically tailored to your local area. Facebook and other platforms often have groups based by location, letting you discuss with a larger local base.
Shop Local
When choosing a roofing contractor, stay with choices that have an established reputation in your area. They will be there the next time that you need something done on your roof. In addition, this is a great way to support your local economy as these individuals often spend most of their money with local businesses, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations.
Check Insurance
Good roofing contractors invest in quality employees and train them to put on roofs safely. Yet, an accident can happen. Therefore, before you hire someone ask about their insurance. You want to hire a contractor that has liability and personal injury insurance.
Consider Experience
Every roofing job presents unique challenges. Therefore, you want to hire a roofing contractor with lots of experience. Even if they have not encountered your unique situation before, they will have seen one like it, and know the steps to take to get your new roof installed quickly.
Uses Quality Materials
Roofing contractors who think they will never see you again often use inferior materials, while those who want you to recommend them to your network of friends and family will opt for higher-quality materials. This can make a huge difference the next time that the wind decides to blow a little bit, or it decides to downpour.
Upfront Explanation of Fees
A good roofing contractor will give you a detailed explanation in writing of the cost of putting on a new roof before they start the project. Furthermore, they will gladly answer your questions. In addition, they will be honest about the timeline of when they can complete the job.
Don’ts of Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Just like there are things to look for when hiring a roofing contractor, there are some signs that you should send some contractors off your property immediately, without even giving them a chance to sell you a new roof.
Lack of Permits and Insurance
Honest roofing contractors have no problem showing you that they have the proper permits and insurance to operate in your area. Therefore, if you encounter one who tries to avoid these questions or does not have proof, then take them off your list of possibilities quickly.
Does Not Offer Local Recommendations
Good roofers stay busy pleasing clients as they want repeat business and want you to recommend them to your friends and family. Therefore, if you find one that does not have local references that they supply willingly, they are not the right contractor for you. Ensure that you reach out to the references on your own to see what they say about the person’s work ethic and the job that they did. You may also want to check online reviews to see what others are saying.
Uses High Pressure Sales Tactics
A reputable roofing contractor will take the time to explain what they recommend and answer your questions. Someone who tries to pressure you into signing a contract quickly may not be as trustworthy. If they offer deals that are only available if you sign that day or try to otherwise pressure you into signing immediately, it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Poorly Written Contracts
A great contractor has no problem explaining each part of their contract to you, while others may try to avoid all questions about their contracts or give you only partial answers. Regardless, you should read and understand the contract before you sign it.
Vague Estimates
On very rare occasions, there may be a reason that a good roofer cannot give you an estimate before work commences because they need to learn more about the damage that has happened to your roof. They will make this abundantly clear and give you their best guess. For the most part, however, if a contractor is not willing to give you a price up front, then it is time to hire someone else.
Large Upfront Fee
While many contractors may ask for a partial payment when materials are delivered, if the contractor asks for a large upfront fee, it is almost always a red flag indicating that you need to hire someone else. Most reputable contractors will ask for payment after services are rendered.
Unsolicited Roofers
If you have just had a storm in your area and a roofer is suddenly knocking on your door, then send them on their way quickly. These roofers follow hailstorms and wind damage trying to drum up business. They may not be there when something happens at a future date.
Lack of Warranty
A roofer who uses quality materials will provide you with a warranty on the supplies. In many cases, they also give you a warranty on their work. If the roofing contractor does not provide warranties, then send them on their way.
Poor Communicators
Great roofing contractors will keep you informed throughout the process. If there are unforeseen delays, they will promptly notify you. On the other hand, poor roofing contractors may be hard to reach. They will often give you vague answers. You will discover that it is hard to pin them down to a firm answer.
When you need a good roofing contractor in Burnsville, contact Schmidt Roofing. We treat every customer like family and have proudly been serving Burnsville and the surrounding areas since 1995. We only use the highest quality roofing materials from manufacturers like GAF, Pella, Carlyle, and EDCO. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on fast response times. From emergency repairs to putting a roof on a new building, we can get the job done quickly and well.
