Of all the big-ticket items you’ll spend for your home, roofs aren’t the sexiest, but they can surely cost you. A roof replacement in 2021 is estimated to cost anywhere from $5,436 to $11,146.
That figure breaks down to about 60% in labor and 40% for materials.
With so much money on the line, there are several necessary questions to ask a roofing contractor before you sign a contract.
This way you’ll know more about your roofer, the job, and ways to protect yourself from disreputable business practices.
In the following article, we’ll pick 5 questions that will ensure you’ll get the best contractor for your home, sweet home.
1. Are You Insured?
Different states offer various insurance levels for roofers. This question allows you to make sure that you’re dealing with a reputable company that hasn’t had any issues with its product.
Whatever the contractor’s answer, ask to have a copy of the company’s liability policy sent to you via email. This not only allows you to verify their insurance but allows you to see the company’s actual name.
Many companies advertise as one name but are actually owned or are incorporated as something else. With the actual company name, it’s easier to find any lawsuits or legal complaints against the company.
2. Are You Local, and How Long Have You Been in Business?
You won’t find a local roof services company with a long history if its had problems. That’s why knowing if the company is a local one is important.
You’ll easily find reviews from your town and know if customers had a problem with the company. As part of this, you might ask if they are associated with any other companies. For example, are they an Owens Corning preferred contractor?
3. What Warranties Do You Offer?
The company needs to offer some sort of warranty on their workmanship. These could last anywhere from a year to 25 years, even the lifetime of the roof.
The longer the warranty, the more the company believes in the quality of its jobs. Remember to take a hard look at the fine print, however. Exceptions and clauses can rule out many common roofing issues if the warranty is written in such away.
4. What Is the Payment Structure?
Be wary of companies that expect a majority of the payment in advance. You are not renting a house at the beach, so don’t expect to pay a large sum in advance.
Typically a roofer will insist on a small down payment to get the job rolling and purchase materials. In general, you should have to pay for the rest of the job after the roof replacement is completed.
5. How Can I Expect the Job to Go?
Ask for a simple timeline of how the roof replacement will take place. You’ll want to know when dumpsters will arrive, when the job will start, and how many people are on the crew.
A two-person crew could mean the job will last weeks instead of days! Also, make sure the clean-up by the company is thorough and leaves your property the way it was when before the job.
The Right Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Is Crucial
By the time you need a roofing company, there’s a good chance there’s already a problem. Many people are taken in by fly-by-night companies when they get a knock on their door after a big storm or another catastrophe.
Hopefully, you’ll now be able to weed out these disreputable companies by knowing the right questions to ask a roofing contractor. If you have others, contact the version of the better business bureau in your state.
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