Finding a roofing company can be a stressful undertaking for a homeowner. The project needs to be done in a timely manner but also completed with no mistakes. If you get the wrong company to do your roof it could end up in a long expensive nightmare. So the question is with so many roofing contractors out there how do you know who is reputable and trustworthy. There are so many companies out there.
Sometimes you have to watch out for companies that create fake reviews for themselves. That may be fine for a small product from the store. You can just send it back if you’re not satisfied. However a roof is not something you can go to the post office and send back. You are stuck with it.
It can seem overwhelming at times but it doesn’t have to be with some research and knowing the right questions to ask. A good place to start is the Better Business Bureau. It will give you the company’s history as well as if there have been any complaints against the business. If the state requires a contractors license that is also another place to look to make sure the license is up to date and in good standing.
Having a list of questions for the contractor is always a good idea. No good contractor will get upset with the amount of questions that you have. Getting multiple quotes and checking references also can be a good way to narrow down your search. Hiring the cheapest roofing contractor is not always the wisest of ideas. Nobody wants to spend more money than they have to or get ripped off.Hiring a professional contractor for roofing from Bakersfield, CA always the best option for you. However it is a very important investment to protect your family. So take your time and find the right company for the job.
So what questions do you ask the roofing contractor? This is an example of a few questions that would be a good idea.
• How long have you been in business?
• How long will the project take?
• Who will be doing the actual work on the project? You? Subcontractors?
• Can I have references?
• Are you licensed and asked to see the number?
• Will you have a dumpster on site for the trash?
• How will you protect any gutters that I have?
• What kind of warranties do you offer?
• How will you be accessing the roof?
• If it is bad weather on the day of the project. What are the steps for that?
The questions above are a starting place for any roofing contractor. If they are unable to answer those questions in a straightforward way then you might want to reconsider hiring them. Any trustworthy business will have references and/or places where you can go see their work. If they make excuses for any of that then it is red flag number one. The contractor should feel comfortable with answering them and want to make you comfortable with hiring the company. It is important to find a contractor that will address your needs. There is no wrong amount of questions to ask. If they are a good contractor they will welcome all your questions no matter how many.
If you have areas of your house that are more complex such as skylights or solar panels it is important to also address those issues as well. Here is a few questions that might address complex roofing issues
• How will you make sure that around the skylight is sealed correctly?
• How will you be taking off the solar panels?
• Will the materials you use be environmentally friendly?
• Where two levels of the roof meet. How will you address that?
• If you live in a cold climate. How will they handle the ice issues?
• How do you seal chimneys properly?
• Do you suggest any more ventilation?
There is nothing worse than having your roof redone just to have it leak in certain areas. Skylights and complex area’s can be a complicated undertaking and requires an experienced roofer. This is an extremely important point if you have that in your home. Being able to lay a simple roof is one thing but laying a roof with many different levels or corners is quite another. You can also ask to see examples of homes that they have done with those types of things on them.
Once again if they are an honest contractor they will be more than happy to show off their work. If there is hesitation from them then it is a red flag. Chimneys are another potential problem area for roofers if they do not know what they are doing. Roofs with chimneys require crickets if they are 18 inches or wider. Something to consider if you do have a chimney coming out of your house.
Roofers can also install vents for the attic if necessary. You can ask them if they think your house has sufficient ventilation. In winter environments ice can be a major problem. You have to make sure they are familiar with handling ice issues. You don’t want to be in the middle of winter and your roof collapses because your contractor did not know what they were doing.
Remember, there is no such thing as too many questions when it comes to hiring a Fort Mitchell roofing company. It is a big undertaking for any homeowner. It is important that it is done correctly and timely. If it is not then it will be a nightmare down the road. You will have leaks that will damage the roof and cause mold to grow.
You will have to go through the trouble of looking for a roofing contractor to come and fix the issues . This will be more money in the long run. So it is better to ask all the questions you need and make sure that the company you are hiring is the right one for the job to begin with. You will save yourself a lot of time and money farther down the road.
