Questions To Ask a Residential Roofing Company 

When replacing or repairing a roof, hiring an experienced, qualified, and reliable contractor is crucial. A stable roof can preserve the value of your home and protect your home from weather conditions. For work completed in your home, a notably large investment, it’s vital that it is completed by experienced professionals. Not all companies provide high-quality workmanship with a professional attitude. Improperly trained roofers can lead to damages that may cost more money to repair them. Having a poor reputation may lead insight into the quality of the work. Unfortunately, it isn’t unheard of for a roofing company to be taking advantage their customers with out-of-range prices. A professional roofing company should complete their work efficiently, safely, and professionally. If speaking with a professional and serious contractor, they will welcome any questions you may have.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

The first thing and arguably most important thing is to ask is whether the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.  Licensing requires a contractor to register with the state’s board of licensing contractors. A valid license proves that a roofer is qualified. They must follow local building codes and demonstrate their knowledge and skills through certification exams. It is recommended to make sure the business and roofing contractor licenses are valid and without violations. Being bonded means that a bonding company knows that a contractor does business correctly and ethically. If the work is faulty and not corrected, the bond company can take responsibility to make sure it is done correctly. To learn more about why hiring a bonded contractor is important, read more here. Liability insurance covers clients if the contractor causes damage to property. Worker’s compensation covers employees and the homeowner if an employee is injured on the job on their property. 

What is the physical address?

If the roofing company uses a post office box, ask for the physical location. This is also a good way to determine whether the roofing company is a scam or not. If it isn’t a local address or the company has no physical location, this may be a red flag. Once the company gives the physical address, look it up in the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau can provide helpful information when hiring any business for work. The Better Business Bureau can scout out scammers or assist in filing a complaint. The BBB can search for accredited businesses in various contracting specialties and more. 

How long have you been in business? 

Choose a contractor with a well-established history. This ensures they will be close by if issues arise later on. In addition, it also means that they provide good work at a decent price. If you were given a reference from a friend or family member, you know their work can be trusted.

Do you provide written estimates? 

Written estimates will usually include labor, materials, repairs, and anything else that may come up during the job. Any additional information that may be given can include removing an old roof if necessary or replacing rotten plywood. This gives you a rough idea of the total cost. Insist on a written estimate instead of a verbal one. This gives you more leverage if the contract's total cost is higher than the estimate.

What training and experience does the crew have? 

The contractor must have the correct licensing to pass certification exams. It is also essential that their crew have the proper skills. This is especially important that all the crew members completing the project have adequate training. Most roofers learn on the job under strict supervision of experienced roofers. If taking this route, training may take longer to ensure correct technique and safety protocols are followed. Roofers can receive a more comprehensive training by completing a three-year apprenticeship. The minimum requirement is 1,400 hourswith at least 144 hours of classroom instruction. 

What is your workmanship warranty? 

Roof warranties are in place to protect the roof investment. These are determined by the contractor, so it’s important you ask them when going over a contract. The roofer will state clearly what is and what is not covered in their warranty and for how long. For example, a typical asphalt roof lifespan is between 25-30 years, but some warranties expire in 5-10 years. It’s important to note that an extended warranty may incur an upfront cost. Manufactures may also certify certain contractors which will allow them to offer lifetime warranties. Typically, manufactures seek out top contractors with high-qualitywork because they know they will install their products correctly. You may ask your contractor for a copy of the certification to ensure they are a reputable company. To learn more information about warranties, read more here. 

Can you provide references? 

By asking a potential contractor to provide a list of references, you can inquire about the roofer’s services. You may ask if they would hire this contractor again based on the quality of their work. You may ask if they had any problems working with the contractor. If so, find how the company resolved them and if they were satisfied with the solution. In addition to speaking with contractor provided references, it’s also a good idea to sift through customer reviews and ratings. Google reviews, Angie’s List, and The Better Business Bureau are just a few examples of where to look. This information can give insight into a company’s integrity and help you know what to expect. If there is no reference list or many negative reviews, it is a sign to look for another company. This means the contractor may not be trusted to complete the project proficiently or safely.  

Do you have a portfolio of roofing jobs you've completed in the past?

Inquire about the type of jobs they have completed in the past. This will help you determine if they qualify to work on your roof. In addition, they may have a portfolio that show cases previous projects. Examine similar projects to the one you are requesting.

How long will the project take?

It’s important to ask how long the project will take. In general, a professional roof replacement can take upwards of several days. Multiple factors that may determine project length include inspection, complexity of design, planning phase, and the type of material. Certain materials such as asphalt shingles or metal tiles may take longer to order and receive than others. It’s also important to consider whether a new roof must be removed and replaced. Barriers may come up that may impact the project’s completion time. The contractor should outline contingency plans to address any potential obstacles. If the project is taking longer than anticipated, you may want to discuss this with your contractor. In the event of bad weather, what measures should be taken? Florida is known for having variable weather throughout the year. If they are an experienced contractor, they will have an “Inclement Weather Plan” in place. Inquire more about this. Ensure they know what to do in bad weather to protect your home properly and safely. 

How do you protect my property?

Any time you have work completed on your home, you want to make sure that your home is protected. After all, you want to protect your investment. Ideally, the landscaping and interior of your home should look the same from beginning to end of completion. Ask the contractor how they intend on protecting the landscaping, light fixtures, and lawn. Some businesses require specific foot traffic routes. This ensures the crew does not damage the bushes or create ruts in the grass. Some require that heavy equipment is on the sidewalk. 

What do you do with the refuse material? 

Ask the contractor if they intend on bringing a dumpster. This can be used for damaged materials, packaging debris,and anything else that doesn’t belong in your yard. Roofers sometimes use magnets to pick up nails. Ask your contractor if this is part of their debris-clearing process.  As a client, you shouldn’t be responsible for providing a dumpster or cleaning up after the work is completed.