Finding a reputable contractor.
How do you find a reputable contractor?
Your choice of a contractor is vital to the success of your roofing project. Select him or her with care, as you would any other professional, like a doctor or lawyer. Get started by using the following methods to select possible candidates:
- Referrals are the best way to find a contractor. Ask your friends, relatives, neighbors and business associates if they know anyone that they would recommend.
- Job site signs in your neighborhood offer you the opportunity to see a contractor in action. Talk to the homeowner about the quality of his work.
- Check with manufacturers like Certainteed, Elk, GAF, and Owens Corning. They have “look-up” programs, on their web sites, that find factory trained and certified contractors in your area.
Once the candidates have been selected, you should take the time to interview them and discuss the details of your project. Be prepared to ask the questions that will help you determine whether or not this is a reliable professional who will be easy to work with and be able to complete the job to your satisfaction. Here are some questions you should ask in each interview:
Does the company carry insurance?
Don’t forget that companies who carry the proper insurance and follow the insurer’s guidelines for safety will have higher job overhead costs. These expenses could be the cause of price variations between contractors who follow the standards and those who ignore them. Roofers who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper to hire as they do not have large insurance premiums to pay, but hiring them brings substantial financial risk.
Is the company a licensed or credentialed contractor?
Check with your state and local licensing authorities to determine the requirements for a contractor to operate in their jurisdiction. Be aware that a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor’s competence.
Several roofing manufacturers offer a variety of programs, to the professional contractor, that establish their credentials as a knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view these credentials as another indicator of the contractor’s degree of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the roofing trade.
How long has the company been in business?
Needless to say, longer is better. Less than three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to double-check any business and are especially important when dealing with a new business.
What is the company's workmanship warranty?
A good contractor will warrant his workmanship for a period of one year or more. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his work. Again, this is best evaluated using customer referrals. Ask previous customers the following questions: Was the contractor responsive when asked for information and changes? Did the contractor act as if he cared about the customer’s interest? Would you call the company trustworthy?
What is the company's track record for solving customer complaints?
Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if the contractor’s license has ever been suspended and why. You can also talk to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, to find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors you have interviewed and how those complaints were handled. Many contractors, in business for any length of time, have been involved in a dispute. The key is how the dispute was resolved.
A contractor should carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect you in the event of an accident on your property. If a worker is injured on your property, you might be held liable for all costs unless the employee is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Ask the contractor to have their insurer send you current certificates of workers’ compensation coverage.
Check with your state and local licensing authorities to determine the requirements for a contractor to operate in their jurisdiction. Be aware that a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor’s competence.
Needless to say, longer is better. Less than three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to double-check any business and are especially important when dealing with a new business.