There are so many cliches about what a home means to those that live there. A man’s home is his castle. There’s no place like home. Home is where the heart is. There’s a reason for that: as the largest investment many of us will ever make, we spend a lot of time thinking about our home.
And, as the largest part of your home, it’s important to choose an experienced roofing professional you trust. As part of home improvements, repairs, or replacement, you’ll want to make sure the job is done right. So what kind of information should you have before hiring a roofer?
Start Your Roofing Contractor Search
Just as you would search for the best TV, vehicle, or restaurant online, do the same when looking for a roofer. Ask your friends and family if they have any thoughts. Did someone at work mention something about a new roof? Find out what they thought of their company and how did the roof installation look when it was done.
It’s also a good idea to check online sources. There are business listing sites with reviews, home improvement sites, and social media sites where the business interacts with their customers (and potential customers). Take the time to look through these sites and see what former customers have to say.
The more you know about the company you hire, the more you’ll know what to expect. Do they argue with unsatisfied customers on social media or do they look to remedy the situation? Even with a few bad reviews, is their overall rating impressive? Do they have any reviews at all?
Other Online Information
Some company information is readily available through the state. For example, if you’d like to know if a roofing contractor, or any business for that matter, is licensed with the state, all you need is the name and this website. States require every business to register with the state. Other online searches can also be revealing.
Online Presence
Finally, what kind of online presence does the company have? Not that you’re expected to be some kind of expert, but does their website look up to date? Does it have any information on their business license number and a phone number? Any pictures of past roofing job sites?
Perhaps it’s a smaller company that isn’t fully established yet. Which is fine – you may be able to get a better price from them. However, if you can find a roofer that’s been around a few decades, has the ability to invest in a website, and can showcase all of their work, doesn’t that sound better?
The Interview
You’ve chosen three contractors. Now what? Think of this as a job interview and you’re looking to hire. Because, in a way, it is. We don’t recommend sitting all three in a room while you call them in one at a time. Although you should schedule all three to come out and inspect your roof and give an estimate.
It’s best if you can be there during the inspection to answer any questions they may have. This will also give you a chance to ask the company a few questions of your own. During this interaction, you can get a feel for how they treat customers (and potential customers) and if they’ll be good to work with.
Inspections
There are a few standard steps when it comes to inspections, including measuring the roof. Most roofing project managers have software that can reasonably estimate the size of your roof. Using online satellite pictures or even drones to take photos from above, they can reasonably estimate the size of the roof and define the roofing supplies needed.
Is that all they do? Or do they walk around the home, inspecting gutters, fascia boards, flashing, and so on? If there’s damage that the drone didn’t pick up, this could add unexpected thousands to an estimate after having the roof replaced has already begun.
That’s why a thorough inspection can actually save time in the long run. Loose flashing around the chimney means there’s a good chance the roof deck is damaged and maybe even some of the attic. Frayed shingle edges around the gutter might indicate ice dams during the winter, pulling up shingles and allowing water under the asphalt shingles and even into the home.
If these possibilities are pointed out beforehand, there won’t be any haggling later on. Does the visible damage absolutely mean extensive problems underneath? No. But who likes surprises halfway through a job? Some issues can’t be predicted, though. Has an unknown animal infestation chewed away at the roofing from the inside? There’s no way of knowing, especially if there is no attic to speak of.
The Decision
At this point, a homeowner should have more than enough information to make an educated choice. The sketchy, uninterested, or unqualified have all been removed from the equation. The price will always be a consideration, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. A bigger price tag doesn’t always mean better.
This works the other way, too. The most inexpensive doesn’t always mean the lowest quality of work. If you’ve done your homework, chances are all three are competent roofing companies. So it comes down to what you need and what they offer.
Warner Roofing and Construction has been serving the Clark County area since 1992, working with all varieties of roofing materials, designs, and styles. We’re licensed, bonded, and insured and require our crews to go through rigorous training when learning about new technologies in the field.
When considering a new roof installation, repairs, new gutter systems, skylights, or solar tubes, consider Warner Roofing and Construction. Fill out our estimate form to let us know what you need or call to talk to us directly. We look forward to hearing from you.
