Ten tips for choosing a roofing contractor

 

One of the best ways to choose a roofing contractor is to talk to them by phone or meet with them and ask them some questions. To find a roofing contractor that you can contact, you can ask for referrals to friends and family or do a Google search as there are many excellent roofing directory sites that provide a short list of roofers in your area. It is also worth visiting the contractor's site.

 

Digging a little can seem slow, but what's even slower, not to mention expensive, is solving a failed job on the roof. So how should you choose a roofing contractor? The tips for choosing a roofing contractor fall into three categories: the contractor's qualifications, the contractor's work, and the contractor's past. Read the tips below.

 

qualifications

 

First, do not hire an unlicensed Roofers Hempstead new york. The fact that a contractor is licensed does not necessarily mean that the contractor is a committed professional who will do an excellent job. You can get more information about a contractor's obligation by seeing if the contractor is a member of a trade union and whether the contractor has received a continuing education. If the contractor says yes, call the union and ask to get continuing education certificates.

Make sure they have a permanent business. When choosing a contractor, be sure the contractor can finish the work he promised to do. One of the best ways to have this confidence is to choose a contractor who can commit financially to finish your project. The contractor must have a permanent telephone number and address. Visit their companies to see if they have the equipment and staff to successfully complete your project.

Ask if they have insurance coverage and how much. Just because they have insurance may not be much coverage. Have the contractor show you an insurance certificate. Contractors can get a certificate for their insurance that shows coverage dates and insurance companies coverage limits. Also, ask if they have workers ’compensation coverage. Since owners can be sued for accidents that occur on their property, it is very important that all contractors have workers' compensation insurance.

Contractor's workforce

 

All contractors should also have a safety plan, so ask your prospective contractor to provide one. Safety plans are important to ensure that projects are completed and required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Find out how long the contractor's warranty lasts for the work done. A typical period is one year or more. The duration of the guarantee does not matter as much as if the contractor plans to back up the guarantee. Good contractors will often work beyond a written contract. Note that the manufacturer provides product warranties, and often warranties are valid only if a contractor is "certified" to install the product. Be sure to talk to your contractor about the following manufacturer specifications needed for the product warranty.

The contractor should thoroughly analyze your home improvement project with you. The areas you need to talk to your contractor include the color and type of products you want to use, how to get permission if needed, what the daily cleaning procedure is, and how the work will be paid.

Past performance and customer service

 

Find out how long the contractor has been in the business. Although a contractor in the business for a year or two could do an excellent job, choosing a contractor who has been in the business for at least five years would be better. Often, the longer a contractor has been in business, the more experience he has, which often means more opportunities and better execution of his roof.

Ask to see pictures of the contractor's work and references from previous clients. Get this information on the contractor's site or by calling previous customers and asking what they think.

Many of the best contractors have had to deal with complaints. Complaints are not necessarily bad, but the way a contractor has handled them can be. Ask the contractor how they have handled complaints in the past, or call the Better Business Bureau to find out.

In addition to the previous advice, another valuable advice for choosing a roofing contractor is to have three contractors considering submitting three written offers.