Whether you are installing a new roof or making changes to an existing one, there are usually many things to consider. You need to keep your budget in mind and ensure that your roofing project doesn’t cost you a fortune. But, you also need to ensure that whatever you do regarding your roof is done correctly. The only way to find a balance between these two is to choose a good roofer. So, in this article, we will explore how to choose a roofer for your next project.
Choose a roofer for your next project
Finding a hiring a decent roofer is a multistaged process. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to leave it for the last minute. Instead, start looking for a roofer the moment you notice a problem with your roof. The sooner they can start fixing it, the better.
Asking around
When you look for a roofer, there are two places you can start your search. The first one is by simply asking around. Talk to your neighbors or the local Homeowner Association and see if they have someone to recommend. More often than not, they will give you the contact info of a decent roofer. And, since they probably have a similar roof to yours, you can expect that the roofer will be qualified. If you can ask multiple neighbors, put your trust in those with the most homeowning experience. They likely worked with several roofers and can give you more knowledgeable advice on finding one.
Checking online
The second place to start is online. In the modern-day and age, almost all respectable roofers have an online presence. So, it shouldn’t take much more than a Google search to locate them. The tricky part will be to filter through them and find those that are noteworthy.
Make sure you do ample research before you choose a roofer for your next project.
Alt: Magnifying glass over Google showing a way to choose a roofer for your next project.
Both with online roofers, and those that you come by recommendation, we suggest that you check for:
- Insurance.
- License for your area.
- Bond information.
While you may get glaring recommendations for roofers without these, we suggest that you avoid them. This paperwork ensures that your roofer is responsible for their work on your roof and that you can quickly settle any issues.
Comparing roofers
A good rule of thumb is to collect at least five roofers that seem reliable. In the case of looking online, this means that they have good reviews and high ratings. In the case of word-of-mouth recommendation, this means that they performed tasks similar or more complicated than the one you need. Not all roofers have the same experience or the same skill level. Therefore, you really want to ensure that the roofer you hire can actually do the job you hire them for.
You want to avoid hiring inexperienced roofers for complicated issues.
Depending on what you need fixing and how big your budget is, the cost can be an important factor. And, while we completely agree that you shouldn’t waste your money, we would like to emphasize that hiring the cheapest roofers is asking for trouble. Remember that even minor issues can become quite troublesome if you don’t fix them quickly and adequately. A cheap roofer will usually pretend to know what they are doing, only to cause more trouble in the long run. So, all things considered, you should focus on cost-efficiency rather than cheapness. The difference is that you need to understand the reality of your problem and only consider roofers that offer a fair price for fixing it.
Performing the interview
Once you’ve gathered your top roofers, you will have to interview them. Only by doing so can you get a good idea of how competent, honest, and efficient they are. Some of the questions you should ask are:
- What was their most complicated project?
- Do they work with homeowner’s insurance when it comes to filing claims?
- What type of insurance do they have?
- Do they offer free inspection?
- Do they take photos before and after fixing the issue?
- Can they give you a written estimate based on on-site inspection?
- What happens if there is poor weather?
- Do they remove old roofing materials?
- What types of payments do they accept?
Questions such as these should give you a decent idea of who you are talking to. As you can probably guess, you want to have an experienced, insured, and thorough roofer by your side. And if you’ve done all we have mentioned so far, you should have one.
Working with a roofing contractor
With a good contractor by your side, your roof should be in pristine condition in a relatively short span of time. This, of course, depends on what you hire them to do. If it is a simple issue like a bit of ice damage or a leak, they can probably fix it in the afternoon. But, if they need to repair some structural damage or need to reroof your home, this can take a while. In that case, you might consider leaving your home.
Moving out during roof repairs
Keep in mind that relocating for the duration of roof repairs doesn’t have to be a complex subject. You simply get a vacation home and find a helping hand to assist you with your items. If you need to store items from your attic, you can consider hiring a storage company to help you out. All in all, if you start planning on time, the temporary relocation won’t be much of a bother.
Reroofing a home can be pretty noisy.
When and how to deal with claims
Once you come back home, you should inspect your roof. After you have learned how to choose a roofer for your next project and hired a good one, this inspection should come out satisfactory. But, if it doesn’t, you need to keep your calm and talk with the roofers. If they don’t offer a solution, contact the insurance company and see what can be done. Know that you are legally covered by their malpractice, and you will most likely either get your money back or have someone fix the issue properly.
