ExecutiveChronicles.com | 5 Qualities to Look for in a Professional Roofing Contractor | Does your roof need some repair work or completely replacing? If so, there are a few things to consider before hiring a professional roofing contractor.
Having a roof that’s damaged is a nightmare and drastically disrupts your life. Plus, if it’s not taken care of quickly, it becomes a dangerous hazard that puts your safety at risk.
So, if you notice signs of damage to your roof, you must speak to a professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to advise on the best course of action to take and fix it.
But how do you choose an honest and reputable roofing contractor?
Well, in this article, we’ll share five things you need to look for when searching for someone. By following this advice, you’ll be confident in your choice and get value for money.
Read on for more information.
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A Great Reputation
If you find a professional roofing contractor with a great reputation, then you’re halfway there.
You don’t get a good reputation overnight. Instead, it takes years to achieve and is built on things such as:
- Great customer service
- Honesty
- Reliability
- Quality work
Remember that your roof is essential for many reasons, so you want to hire the best people for the job. By finding a roofing company with all of these attributes, you know they’ll do great work and, you’re unlikely to have further problems soon after.
So how can you tell if they have a great reputation? Well, the answer is simple, look for the evidence.
Online customer reviews are often the best way to determine a companies reputation. By reading them, you get an insight into previous customer’s experiences.
You’ll be able to see whether people had problems with the company or weren’t happy with the finished result. You also get an idea of their overall professionalism and anything to be cautious of.
Ideally, you want to look for roofers with many positive reviews and a high rating. We suggest reading their Google My Business reviews as these are less likely to be fake.
If you can, try to avoid reading reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and their own website.
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Experience
It’s a good idea to stay away from new companies and go for those who have been operating for a while.
If a roofing contractor has been in business for many years, they must be doing something right. It’s fair to say they probably offer the best roofing services and are professional.
Plus, they likely have returning customers and receive lots of referrals.
Whereas employing new roofing companies is a shot in the dark. You don’t have a lot to judge them on, and you don’t know how much experience each roofer has.
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Local
It’s beneficial to hire a company that is local as this minimizes the chances of suffering problems.
A local company will want to keep their great reputation intact so won’t do anything to jeopardize it. In contrast, an out-of-town contractor may try to cut corners or not give 100%.
Someone local will also be familiar with the climate and can advise on the best materials for your roof. This may save you a lot of money and prevent further problems from happening.
Finally, a local roofer will have established contacts in your area and will be able to get materials fast should any issues occur.
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Value for Money
Price is likely going to be a big factor in making your decision, but first, there’s something you should know. Don’t automatically hire the company which offers the lowest quote.
The best roofing companies are aware of their value and know what they can deliver. As such, they don’t have to try and undercut every other competitor. They know they have a great reputation and will get referrals from previous clients.
This means that they won’t always be the cheapest and you must be aware of this factor.
The companies which offer the lowest quotes are often desperate for work. Plus, there can often be hidden charges which causes a shock when you receive the bill. In fact, you may end up paying more once everything is calculated.
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Valid Licenses and Insurance
This is the most important thing to ask when you first meet with a contractor.
Most states require all roofers to hold a valid license to operate. If they don’t have a license, they may not be fully trained or follow the correct procedures.
So, check whether your state requires roofers to have a license and what to look for on it.
Next, it is vital that they hold valid liability insurance. If they don’t, then you could find yourself in a litigation battle should an employee injure themselves whilst on the job.
Whenever you first speak to a roofing company, enquire about this and ask to see proof. Someone reputable will have no issues in providing the documents for you to read.
Yet, if they drag their heels or try to avoid answering your questions, walk away. It’s likely they don’t have insurance, and you’ll be taking a huge risk in hiring them.
The Most Important Qualities to Look For in a Professional Roofing Company
It’s essential you take your time before hiring a professional roofing contractor.
Ensure you follow our advice by doing research and asking the right questions. This will help prevent you from hiring someone unsuitable for the task and ultimately losing money.
Finally, check out our blog for some great general lifestyle tips.
