How to Choose the Right Roofing Contractor
Need to replace your roof? How about a routine roof inspection? No matter what roofing service you need, it’s vital that you take the time to make sure you’re choosing the right roofing contractor. But with so many professionals out there, it can be difficult to choose the right expert for the job. And given the obvious importance of your roof, you want to ensure you’re choosing the right team for the job. You want professionals you can trust to support the roof over your head.
As you’re searching for the right roofing contractor, there are some factors you should consider. These can help you find qualified candidates for the job, including ensuring that you get exactly what you pay for. Keep reading to learn some tips on how to choose the right roofing contractor.
1. Check BBB Ratings
One thing you should always do before choosing a roofing contractor is to check their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This will give you a good idea of how reputable the business is, including the level of satisfaction from previous customers. And aside from simply checking the rating, you also might be able to see detailed reviews on the experiences from prior clients. Also, with so many scam artists out there, seeing a solid rating with the BBB typically means you aren’t dealing with a fraud.
2. Think About Safety
Given the risks involved with what’s performed by roofing contractors, you always want to ensure that the business you choose is taking all of the necessary safety precautions. One factor to look for in this regard is an intensive training or safety program. One training program to look out for is called the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE), which has trained over 200,000 experts in the industry. When looking to hire a roofing professional, be sure to ask potential candidates whether they have that special training, or ask about what other credible training programs they have participated in.
3. Consider An Extensive Warranty
The truth of the matter is, roofing work can be costly, especially if you choose a contractor that charges top dollar. But once you fork over money for a roofing gig, sometimes you aren’t protected if the contractor’s workmanship isn’t up to par. For example, if the contractor installs something incorrectly and that mistake appears years later, your insurance company might not cover the repair. And while you can try to contact the original contractor to resolve the issue, they may not handle the fix, or they might have even gone out of business by then. That being said, you may want to consider opting for an extended warranty that covers contractor workmanship.
4. Check for Proper Credentials
One of the top factors to consider when looking for roofing contractors involves their licensing and insurance. All roofing contractors should have insurance for all employees of their business, including subcontractors, and they must also be able to provide a copy of their insurance certificate for validation purposes. In the event that the contractor doesn’t have adequate insurance, that could potentially lead to litigation between the contractor and homeowner if a roofing employee suffers an injury on the residence. And while most states do require licensing for contractors, unlicensed contractors will still try to find work, and they may even claim that they are properly licensed and insured.
In the states where licenses are required by law, be sure to check that the contractor you choose provides you with a copy of their license, including a confirmation of their status displayed online.
Don’t Fall Into the Pressure
Many fraudulent roofing companies may try to pressure you into signing a contract very early on in your discussions with them. One key factor to remember is to never sign a contract before getting an estimate from your insurance provider. Additionally, some contractors may claim that they can work with whatever your insurance company settles upon, but that oftentimes isn’t the case; the homeowner must make sure that the contractor and insurance company are on the same page in terms of costs and coverages. A solid roofing contractor will thoroughly examine your roof and home and also check with their insurance adjuster to make sure nothing was missed.
If you’re searching for a licensed, insured, and well-known roofing company, then pick up the phone and call Paradigm Roofing today! With locations in McKinney, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, finding trusted roofing services is now easier than ever! We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and we can fix just about any roofing problem. Whether you need a quick inspection or an extensive repair, we would love to speak with you about what we have to offer. Call Paradigm Roofing today to ensure your roof is geared to last for many years to come!