When you hire the right roofing company, you protect not only your home, but also your budget and your peace of mind. Since a roof replacement or major roof repair is one of the largest investments most homeowners will make, it’s critical to know what you should ask the roofing contractor before you sign a contract.
Instead of basing your decision solely on price, do your homework. The lowest estimate is not always the best value. You want to hire a contractor who has experience, is properly licensed and insured, has great communication skills, and will handle your roofing project from start to finish efficiently and correctly. By asking the right questions up front, you can avoid surprises, sub-par workmanship, hidden fees, and future roofing headaches.
Is the Roofing Contractor Licensed and Insured?
Your first question should be if they are licensed and insured. Any reputable roofing company will carry both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Insurance protects you and your property in case a roofer gets hurt on your property. Without it, you could be held liable for any injuries sustained on your roof.
Don’t just take their word for it. Ask to see proof of insurance. Most reputable roofers will be happy to provide you with proof of insurance because it validates that they are professional and trustworthy.
Licenses are important too. Licensed roofing contractors have knowledge of building codes, permit requirements, and installation guidelines. They are less likely to cut corners, which will only lead to roof problems down the road. Hire local roofing companies who have been in business for several years.
How Long Has the Company Been in Business?
Another thing to consider when hiring a roofer is how long they have been in business. Experience should never be underestimated in roofing.
Experience speaks for itself. An experienced roofer has most likely worked on all kinds of roofs, dealt with extreme weather situations, and has a process in place to get the job done right.
Just because a company is new to the business doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t qualified. However, it is still beneficial to ask questions about their background, training, and experience with similar projects.
- How long have you been roofing?
- What kinds of roofs do you specialize in?
- Have you worked on residential roofs like mine?
- Can I speak with some of your recent customers?
Any reputable contractor should have no problem giving you references or showing you previous roofs they’ve worked on. Asking a past customer about their experiences can help you learn about communication, cleanup, professionalism, and overall satisfaction.
What Does the Roofing Estimate Include?
Roofing Estimates should be easy to understand and very detailed. If a contractor’s estimate is vague and incomplete, it is a huge red flag.
You don’t want to be overwhelmed with extra fees once the roof is underway. Ask the contractor what their estimate includes:
Tearing off and disposing of existing materials
- Underlayment
- Flashing
- Ventilation
- Cleanup
- Materials
- Labor
- Warranty
A detailed roofing estimate allows you to compare apples to apples. Just because one contractor is cheaper doesn’t mean they aren’t omitting something the other includes.
Ask about unexpected circumstances that could raise the cost of the project. Sometimes roofs that seem fine from the ground hide damaged decking, mold, or rotten insulation. Roofing contractors should let you know how they handle these situations.
Who Will Actually Be Working on the Roof?
Some roofing companies have employees that they send out to do the job. While others subcontract the work to another company. You should know who will actually be laying shingles on your roof.
Ask whether the crew they plan to send is trained and experienced with the roofing materials they will be installing. Manufacturers often certify contractors to ensure they are trained to properly install their roofing products.
- Will there be a project manager on site?
- Who can I speak with if I have any questions?
- How do you plan on keeping me updated during my project?
- What happens if we encounter bad weather? Will there be a delay in installation?
Good communication is essential for every roofing job. You want to reduce your stress, not increase it by not knowing what’s going on.
What Type of Warranty Is Offered?
Many homeowners get roof warranties confused. There are typically two different warranties that cover your new roof.
Manufacturer warranty – covers the roofing materials
Workmanship warranty – covers the labor involved to install your roof.
Ask the contractor to explain both warranties. What is covered and what could void the warranty.
Ask how long the workmanship warranty is. If they won’t stand behind their work, who will? A reputable contractor should guarantee their work.
Will the Roof Have Proper Ventilation?
While most homeowners think about shingles when it comes to roofing, ventilation should also be considered. Improper ventilation can cause your shingles to fail sooner, increase energy bills, and can even cause mold to grow in your attic.
Make sure to ask your roofing contractor whether they will check your attic ventilation as part of the project. Your roofing system isn’t just shingles. You want to make sure that your intake and exhaust ventilation will work together.
If they aren’t concerned about the ventilation of your attic, then they may not care about the long life of your roof.
How Will the Property Be Protected During the Project?
Roof replacements can be messy. Not only are there nails and shingles laying around, but they also have to tear off your old roof.
Ask them what steps they will take to protect your lawn, landscaping, driveway, and siding before they start the job.
Many roofing contractors use tarps to cover your lawn, use magnetic nail sweepers to pick up stray nails, bring debris containers, and include cleanup in their jobs.
Don’t be afraid to ask how the contractor plans on cleaning up after the job is complete.
Are There Any Red Flags You Should Watch For?
There are red flags to look out for when hiring a roofing contractor. Roofing scams become more prevalent after major storms.
When bands of storms hit certain neighborhoods, you can almost expect to see roofing contractors moving from house to house trying to hustle people into signing onto their software.
Some questions you should be asking can help you weed out some of these rip-off artists.
Too good to be true? If the price seems too low compared to others you have received, it probably is.
- Pressure – You should never feel pressured to sign on the dotted line. Take your time and get everything in writing.
- Upfront Payments – Most contractors should not ask for money up front. Some contractors do require a deposit, but this should be a percentage of the total estimated price.
- No Written Contract – Always get a detailed written contract that includes start and completion dates.
- No Physical Address – Make sure they have a physical address and not just a P.O. box. You should also check that they have been in business at that location for a reasonable period.
- No Proof of Insurance – If they won’t give you proof of insurance, then find another contractor.
- Poor Communication – We mentioned this earlier, but anything that triggers a bad feeling in your body when dealing with the contractor is a red flag.
Final Thoughts on Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor
Knowing what to ask before hiring a roofing contractor can better equip you. In addition to asking about their licensing and insurance, you’ll want to know about warranties, experience, roof ventilation, customer communication, and their cleanup process. Asking these questions will give you a better understanding of who you want to allow on your roof.
Good roofing contractors have nothing to hide. They understand that by educating your homeowners, you’ll create lifelong customers.
If you’re considering a roof repair or replacement, contact Atlas Roofing & Siding to schedule your inspection. We want to make sure you understand our professional roofing services and how we can help protect your home for years to come.
