9 VITAL QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR

You’ve been putting it off for what feels like forever, but the constant drips, uneven temperatures, and high energy bills can mean only one thing.

The signs are all there that it’s time for you to either repair or replace your commercial roof.

If you live in and around the Boise, Idaho area, we know you have lots of options when it comes to hiring a roofing contractor. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers or simply shoddy and inexperienced roofers out there.

Many of them have no idea what they’re doing, and will only cause further damage to your home while making sure they charge you double or even triple the price of what the service should cost.

We know you want to avoid that.

So, we’ve compiled this list of the most important questions to ask a roofer before you hire them.

Read on to get informed and to learn how to make the right choice.

Even if you already have homeowner’s insurance, you need to be aware that it will not offer coverage for everything that you might encounter during a roofing project.

The last thing in the world you want to is to be told that you’re financially responsible for any damages the roofers caused to your home and personal property.

You also certainly don’t want to end up having to pay for medical bills — and face a potential lawsuit — if a contractor is injured on the job.

That’s why you must be certain that your roofing contractor has both workers’ compensation and liability insurance.

Also, work only with a licensed roofing contractor. You should always ask to see a copy of that license and verify that it’s valid in your state.

The license is far from just a “rite of passage.”

It makes it clear that the roofers have the proper training, an understanding of building codes, and know all state requirements when it comes to roofing projects.

You likely know most of the common roofing scams out there already.

Someone may show you a picture of a damaged roof on another home and claim it’s yours or they may say they can only take cash payments.

However, if you’ve noticed that you seem to speak to someone different every time you call the number the roofer has given you — and if it often takes quite a while to get someone on the phone — you may have a scammer on your hands.

Make sure to get proof that the roofing company has a physical address.

Also, always speak to past references to get a true understanding of what the experience of working with this roofing company will be like.

Next, you should ask the roofing company whether or not they work with subcontractors.

This means that people who are not actually employees of the roofing company will be working on your home. While this isn’t always bad, there are a few things you’ll need to watch out for.

First, have they conducted a background check on these roofers? Will you be responsible for paying the subcontracts another rate? How does the company ensure the subcontractors can provide the same quality of work their own employees can?

Are the subcontractors also insured?

Knowing the answers to these questions will save you from serious headaches in the future.

Whether you need help with a common residential roofing problem or if you’re ready to build the roof of your new property, an estimate will tell you what you can likely expect to pay.

But you must be absolutely certain that you truly understand what is and is not included in the estimate.

For example, does it cover the costs of any new or replacement materials, or will those be added later on? What about the cost of labor? If the contractor discovers additional problems with your roof, about how much can you expect those repairs to cost?

Above all, remember one thing:

Never work with a roofing company that offers you an estimate without even coming to see your house and inspect your roof first.

Any quality roofing contractor will gladly stand behind the quality of their work — and their company’s reputation — by offering you a warranty.

Make sure that you clearly understand what the warranty does and does not cover.

For example, will it cover roofing materials in addition to the work the contractor did, or do both of those things fall under separate warranties? How quickly will the contractor be able to fix the problem if something goes wrong? What could invalidate the warranty?

If possible, get the rules of the warranty in writing.

Before you allow any kind of roofing work to start on your house, make sure you speak to the contractor regarding how they’ll protect your landscaping, driveway, deck, and of course, your home itself, during the roofing project.

Even ask if they use stabilizers to protect your gutters if they’re installing a new roof.

Careless workers can destroy flowerbeds, litter the driveway with nails, and even put your family’s safety at risk. Make sure the company has a strong, clear policy in place on how they will keep your home safe while they work.

Now is also the time to talk about how they’ll protect your home’s siding and what they plan to do in the event of a leak.

Again, these last two scenarios, in particular, are why you should never work with a roofer that doesn’t carry insurance.

What’s one of the most overlooked questions to ask a roofer?

“How will you get trash and old construction materials off my property?”

After all, the last thing you want to have to deal with are old nails, shingles, plywood, and other unsightly construction materials littered across your yard. Remember that, as the homeowner, it should never be your responsibility to get rid of the trash or rent a trash container.

Any refuse (as well as, of course, any equipment needed) created while replacing your roof should be handled only by the roofing company.

Especially if the roofing contractor also works with subcontractors — you need to know that a project manager will be onsite at all times.

First of all, this means someone will always be on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the roofing process. Additionally, this expert will assess the quality of the work, ensure everything is carried out according to code, and help to keep to the timeline.

Ask the project manager about their specific responsibilities as well as how they’ll keep you updated throughout the roofing process.

You also want to be certain that the roofing contractor can actually provide the level of service that you need.

Any strong roofing company will offer many different residential roofing services, including emergency roof repair, shingle repair, roof replacement, and completely new roof construction.

Also, ask about their experience in working with projects and homes similar to your own. A quality roofer will be able to work with cedar shingles, steep slope roofs, tiles, and much more.

Make sure you also verify that they have experience in repairing and/or installing roofing with the specific materials you prefer.

If possible, make sure you take a look at their online portfolio before you request an estimate.

This will give you a true idea of the quality of work they can provide.

Now that you know some of the most important questions you should ask every potential roofing contractor, you’re ready to start your search for the ideal roofing company.

That’s where our incredible team at Signature Roofing comes in.

We’ve been in business since 1994, and have experience with commercial, residential, and even multi-family roofing projects. We make it a point to show up on time, respect your property, and give you honest advice about your roof.

No matter the kind of project you need assistance with, we’re here to make sure our team exceeds your expectations and keeps you informed every step of the way.

Click here to get your free estimate, and let’s begin the process of creating the perfect roof over your head.