6 Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor Before You Hire Them

Regular home maintenance is something nobody should skip. It’s better to take the necessary precautions and avoid a problem than deal with it after it’s happened. This is one point that rings true when talking about fixing your roof.

Most roofs have a lengthy lifespan of anywhere between 20 and 50 years, which may vary depending on the type of roof. But that kind of lifespan isn’t possible without maintenance. Poor maintenance often leads to issues popping up frequently. At times like this, you need a roofing contractor. But hiring one is difficult.

There are multiple factors that come into play when you hire a roofing contractor. You need to do your research to filter the best ones from the available options. Then you need to start verifying important information like, are they insured? aka roofing contractor insurance, do they have testimonials they can share, and so on.

Once you have shortlisted the best, it is time to reach out to them. You’ll need to be prepared with a list of important questions that you must ask. The answers roofing contractors give and the manner in which they respond will go a long way in determining whether they will be a good fit for the job.

This article is aimed at helping you with this. We have compiled 6 questions that you can ask a potential roofing contractor before hiring them. These questions will help you learn more about the roofing contractor and their level of professionalism.

1. Can you share your license and insurance information?

This is an important question for 2 reasons. First, having a valid license shows that the roofing contractor is credible and skilled. Second, insurance comes in handy during accidents or any other difficulties.

When asking for a license, it is important to ask for the license of the specific roofing contractor, not just the company. This is because contractors have to submit documents related to roofing and pass tests conducted by the respective organizations in their state. For example, in Texas, individuals applying for a roofing license must pass a set of examinations with a score of 70% or above.

Also, make sure that when you ask for a license, you request a business license as well. The business license holds information about the company and tax details. This further adds to the company’s credibility.

2. What measures will you take to protect the surrounding areas?

This may seem like a silly question, but roofing is messy work. People who have invested a lot in landscaping will be concerned about how the roofing work may affect their lawns or flowerbeds. The same concern applies to your home as well.

Ask your roofing contractor what measures they plan to take to protect landscaping elements. This could be something as simple as setting up pathways for the roofing crew to walk on or keeping roofing equipment on the sidewalk.

3. Does your work come with any warranty?

This is not true for all companies, but some of them offer warranties on their work. The warranty period is usually a year. If your roofing contractor offers a warranty, be sure to ask about,

  • Type of coverage
  • Warranty length
  • What the warranty covers
  • Extended warranty

4. Can I receive a written estimate?

Estimates are useful tools when it comes to budget planning. In terms of roofing, an estimate will hold important information like labor costs, material costs, and any additional expenses. Having a written estimate before the start of a project will help to avoid costs that may pop up later.

5. Will there be any subcontractors involved in the project?

Subcontractors are often paid per job. This means that most of them will probably rush through their projects to get the job done faster. The quality of the overall work takes a hit when this happens.

You do not want subcontractors to be included in your project. In addition to the reasons listed above, some subcontractors won’t have valid licenses or insurance.

If the roofing company decides to still use subcontractors, make sure to get the subcontractor’s information. This includes names, phone numbers, and addresses. Use this information to search websites like the Better Business Bureau to find out more about them.

6. What is your company’s full name, and where are you located?

It is essential to know everything about a roofing company before hiring them. This includes full names and office addresses. The full name of the company allows you to look up their reviews, either on Google or on sites like the Better Business Bureau.

Asking for addresses helps in understanding whether the company has a physical office. You should consider looking at other options if the company just shares zip codes or post box numbers instead of addresses. A lack of a physical office is often considered a red flag when choosing a roofing company.

You just read 6 of the important questions that a person must ask before hiring a roofing contractor. Roofing is a job fraught with danger. A small slip is all it takes for a person to be bedridden for the rest of their life, or worse, to lose their life. In times like this, it is vital to do your research and find out which roofing companies employ contractors who aren’t just skilled in their trade but follow safety practices as well.