Roofing is one of the most important and expensive investments a homeowner or property owner will make. While most home renovations and upgrades are purely elective, roof installments, repairs, and replacements are essential to the livability of a home. And choosing the right roofer can make all the difference for your comfort, peace of mind, finances, and home value. In this post we want to give you some tips on how to hire a roofer.
If you’re in the early stages of the roofing process, you have the luxury of time to weigh all your options. Take the time to find and vet different qualified contractors. Review customer reviews, learn as much as possible about their reputation, visit their office, get different estimates and compare them, and ensure the roofer you hire will be using the best materials for your structure and the climate in the area where you live.
The right roofer will be professional, have a great track record, be able to stay within your budget, and make you feel comfortable and confident about your choice to work with them from the first consultation to the final result.
Instead of seeing who turns up first in a Google search of “roofers near me” and hoping for the best, follow these tips that are designed to help you find a roofer, whom you can trust to not only put a roof over your head but to also put the best roof over your head.
Get a referral.
If you’re looking for a reliable contractor, one of the best first steps is to ask your friends and neighbors. Think of any people you know who have had roofing work done, and ask them if they’re happy with the job their roofer did and if they’d use them again.
Hearing personal accounts of experiences paints one of the most accurate pictures of what you can expect from hiring any company, and trusted people in your life are much more likely to be honest.
Do the research.
Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a few qualified roofers, start looking at each of them in more depth. Verify the contact information for each business, confirm that they’re licensed and insured, and check your Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau for any outstanding warning signs, and check review sites for customer feedback.
Have a face-to-face meeting.
Once you’ve created your short list of potential contractors, set up a time for them to come to your home and assess the job. Be sure you discuss roofing materials, what kind of work needs to be done, how long it will take, and how many workers will be required.
Make sure you’re also comfortable with the contractor. Quality roofers are knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic, and respectful in demeanor. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking as many questions as you want. You should also request a list of references – and check them once the contractor leaves.
Get it all in writing.
Before any work begins, make sure you’ve reviewed and signed the contract. This contract should detail every aspect of the job, including safety procedures, liability concerns, clean-up methods, payment amounts, and a schedule.
Consider the cost.
The least expensive bid is likely not going to be the best one. Remember, roofing is a vital part of your home, and the hope is that you won’t have to worry about extensive repairs or replacements for a long time. You usually get what you pay for, so don’t choose a roofer you feel may not do a good job just to save a few bucks.
If you want to cover all these bases for your next roofing project, we have everything you need. Sage is Owens Corning Platinum Preferred and has been providing roofing services in the community for over 20 years. We also have tons of referrals and customer testimonials you can review.
Want a free estimate? We do that too! Call us at 972-420-6500 to talk to a roofing professional and set up your free estimate today.