How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

By Dymon BradyWhen you are looking for a roofing contractor, you may be wondering how you can pick the right one. It will never hurt to ask your roofing contractor questions and get more background information. If these questions make the contractor uncomfortable, then you should probably use a different contractor. You should always get bids from at least 2-3 roofing contractors to compare price and quality. What questions should you ask these contractors, and what are the red flags to watch out for? To ensure that you have the best experience possible with your roofing contractor, we have some guidelines on how to choose the right company for you.The first and possibly most important thing you can look for is each company's past experience. When you pay for a new roof, you are really paying for the roofing company's reputation and experience. Ask for references you can contact and addresses where you can view their past projects preferrably spanning over a few years. Check out each company on the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, or a similar company that will show any listed complaints or success stories. You also want to ask your company if their employees are trained and certified to install your roofing product. You would be surprised how many contractors teach their employees through "trial and error" on their clients roofs.Secondly, you will want to check if they are licensed and insured. You can check for a business license at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. It only takes a moment to look your contractor up online. You can learn a lot about a company by simply checking to see if they are meeting general guidelines such as a business license.There are two types of insurance you want to check for: liability and workers compensation. Liability insurance protects you from any damage that may occur to your home or roof. If an uninsured contractor doesn't seal up your roof during the roofing process and it rains overnight, you may need to pay to fix the damage yourself or take the contractor to a small-claims court. Workers Compensation protects you from an employee suing you for being hurt on your property.Third, ask if you will receive a contract and a lien waiver. Few people are aware that a roofing manufacturer can charge you for the roofing materials on your roof if your contractor does not pay for them. Even if you pay your contractor in full, you may end up paying for those materials again. Ask for a lien waiver to avoid this issue before you pay the final bill. Also, before your roofing contractor performs any work on your roof, ask for a signed contract stating what is going to be done. This will protect you from any misscommunication or fraud.If you take these steps when choosing a roofing contractor, or any contractor to work on your home, you may be saving yourself a lot of time and money in the long run. If a contractor can meet all of these requirements, chances are, your roof will be installed correctly and look beautiful. To find a roofing contractor that meets all of these requirements, contact Brady Roofing for a free estimate.Also, take a look at our Roofing Contractor Checklist, for an easy way to make sure you have all of your bases covered.