Roofers in my area are not plentiful as compared to other cities. The demand is still very high but there are many builders who are more than willing to help you out. They will do the estimate for the job, give you a written quote and then give you a date of completion so you can compare that with the estimate they gave you. Here are some things I noticed on my search for roofers:
– Did they build their own homes or remodel existing homes? – Did they have any certifications? – Did they have any licensing? – Did they have any insurance? – Did they tell me how much it will cost?
– Did they let you know about liability? – Did they give you a written guarantee? – Did they provide you with a contract? – Did they let you know if they have a roofer’s insurance policy or not?
– Did they ask me how big the job is and if I am happy with the work they did? – Did they suggest any other options such as a licensed contractor or an arborist? – Did they tell me if I can get a warranty?
When I found some roofers in my area who seemed to be professional and had good references, I got to work. I spent a lot of time online looking for reviews and before I make a commitment, I want to know what other people think of them. I found plenty of people were complaining that the roofers actually ripped off them but I didn’t want to take that chance. I went with my gut and I would recommend you do the same.
If you live in an area that does not have many roofers, the ones you do find should be insured and licensed by your state. You need to know they will be safe. You also need to know if their prices are reasonable and comparable. Keep this in mind when you are calling around and asking friends and family.
Once you start calling around, ask everyone what they would recommend. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Get as much information as you can from them and from the company as well. Have some of your roofers visit you so you can see the quality of work. Ask them for recommendations to your neighbors and business partners. Find out about the company’s financial standing and the state of its insurance policy.
– Check out the roofer’s website. Read everything they say there and then decide for yourself if you trust them. If you live in a high crime area, you should know the company should have a high level of security. You don’t want to be robbed while you are working on someone’s roof.
– Go to any public or private contractors’ shop and speak to some of the workers. Tell them you are interested in getting a new roof and would like to speak with some roofers first. Ask them about their background and ask them how long they have been doing this type of work. Ask them about their experiences with different types of materials. Make sure you do your homework before hiring a contractor.