How To Hire A Roofing Contractor
Replacing the roof on your home is a major expense, so how do you hire a roofing contractor? Holmes on Homes is full of disaster projects of home contractors that do shoddy work. You want a good deal, but you need the job done right the first time.
Our experts put together this short list of tips on how to find a good roofing contractor. It’s important to learn what you should be able to expect.
What To Look For In A Roofing Contractor
Ask your friends and neighbours for recommendations. Ask how well the contractor cleaned up, and how easy they were to deal with if there were any issues that came up. Look for a company that’s been around for a while. Many roofers start out working for someone else and then branch out on their own, but you want someone who is going to around should you need to make a claim on the warranty offered.
Get a quote in writing. A good roofing contractor will provide photos of the damage they’ve found, a clear description of the work that needs to be done, and a list of the costs for material and labour. Make sure it’s very clear what the expected deposit amount is. You shouldn’t pay more than 10% of materials cost up front.
Ask questions. As the homeowner, you are liable for any injuries that occur on your property if a worker is not otherwise insured, so be sure that every worker is insured by the roofing company. Ontario Law requires roofers are trained in workplace-hazards, working safely at heights, and that protective gear and precautions are taken when working higher than 10 feet from the ground.
What kind of clean up does the company provide? How will they protect your landscaping? They should take care of the removal and disposal of old shingles, including nails left in the lawn and have provisions in place in case one of their workers tromps through your prize-winning rose garden or the weight of the dumpster they’re using to collect refuse cracks the asphalt on your driveway.
Get more than one quote and compare what you’re getting. One company may be larger and therefore have more overhead costs (office and office staff) to cover but they may be able to get to the work faster and you know they’ll be around if you need to make a claim. When considering a smaller contractor, look for someone who’s been in business at least five years.
Before you sign a contract, be sure that the contractor’s name and contact information is written out clearly. Paying cash for work to save the tax or some other similar deal usually means no receipt, so there won’t be any way for you to make a warranty claim or insist errors get repaired.
Make sure the contract includes a timeframe for when work will start and finish. Your roof is a long term investment, so it’s worth your time to ask the right questions and hire a good roofing contractor the first time. Contact Watershed Roofing today for peace of mind, and quality service at a great price.
