Are you in need of a new roof but you are not completely sure where you should begin the process? How much will a new roof cost me? Where do I begin my search for a roofing company? Can I finance a new roof? What type of new roof should I replace the old one with? There are a good deal of things to consider. After all, a new roof is a major home improvement project and requires some serious thought and preparation before the project can begin.
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Let us take some of the stress out of the process. You will want to start with finding a local reputable roofing company like jpfranklinroofing.co.nz to work with. Once you hire a roofer, the rest of the process gets fairly easy. The roofing company you hire will help you with the rest of the tough decisions and then they will handle all of the heavy lifting and paperwork. So, begin your new roofing journey by researching reputable roofing companies in your area. There will likely be many different roofing companies to choose from, so here are a few quick tips to help you narrow your search.
What Should I Look for When Hiring a Roofing Company?
When researching roofing companies in your area, there are a few key items to keep your eyes open for. You want to make sure the company you hire to replace your roof is someone you can trust and someone you will enjoy working with.
A Great Online Reputation
First things first, check the reviews! What do other customers have to say about the roofer you are considering working with? Online reviews are a great way to learn how real people, like yourself, felt about working with any roofing company in your area. Before you make that first phone call, check the company’s Google Reviews, make sure they are certified with the Better Business Bureau, see if they have reviews on other sites like Facebook or Yelp.
Pro tip when dealing with Yelp. Scroll down and check out the reviews in the not recommended section. Yelp’s algorithm is flawed and they remove a lot of great reviews, both positive and negative ones. These reviews are full of valuable information.
1. A Licensed Professional
Roofers working in Massachusetts are required to be licensed. A contractor who is not licensed is not only breaking the law but they definitely are not a reputable company you want to risk working with. If you are unsure if the roofer you are talking with is licensed you can use this website mass.gov, to verify if they are.
2. Offers Financing Options
If you are hoping you can finance the expense of having a new roof installed, then you need to make sure the roofer you hire offers this as a payment option. You can ask the company when you call them for a quote but that may not be necessary. Most roofing companies will say that they offer financing options on their website. They do this to help take the guesswork out of the process for their customers.
3. Find an Established Roofing Profesional
You will want to make sure that you hire a roofing company that is established, experienced, and trusted in your community. That way you know you will be working with a professional company that stands behind their work.
What Should I Avoid When Hiring a Roofing Company?
While reviewing the roofing companies in your area and after you start getting quotes from them, there are a few warning signs you should be on alert for before agreeing to go with anyone’s bid.
1. A Large Down Payment
A company asking for a small down payment or wanting to verify how you will be paying for such a large home improvement project is reasonable. However, be wary of a company wanting an extremely large down payment or demands that you pay for the full project before the work begins. A contractor who wants a lot of money upfront puts you at risk that the roofer will take the money and run or perform shabby work and not care about the final product. This is rare but it does happen, not every contractor you find online is trustworthy. Protect yourself.
2. A Random Contractor Found Online
Avoid finding a roofer without an established reputation. Finding a random handyman on Facebook or Craigslist is a major risk. Stick with an established company to avoid an unpleasant surprise. An experienced roofing company will have highly trained and professional tradesmen, who value doing a great job. That company will also have warranties and insurance to back up the work they perform.
3. Being Overcharged
Again, having a new roof installed is not a small project and it can be a little pricey but you still want to ensure that you are not being taken advantage of. That is why it is such a good idea to have multiple roofing companies come out and provide you with recommendations and bids on replacing your roof. To ensure that you receive a fair price on your new roof, have at three least roofing companies come to your home and bid your project.
4. Being Rushed Into Signing Something
If you have a pushy salesperson in your home, trying to force you to sign a contract before giving you enough time to think over it or get other bids, this is a red flag. If that salesperson offers you a special “deal” but you have to sign the contract before the salesperson leaves your home or otherwise puts a tight time restriction on it, be wary. This salesperson is trying to get you to agree quickly to avoid you thinking over their proposal or getting other bids for a reason. Do not let them force you into something if you do not feel comfortable, take your time and call another company if you feel like it.
Your Next Steps
The next steps for you are super easy. Simply open a Google tab and type in reputable roofing companies near me. Then you can begin your research and the first steps to getting the new roof you have been dreaming of.