September 28, 2016

Questions to Ask a Roofer

Find the right roofer for your replacement or repair by asking questions that matter.

You have a lot of options when choosing a roofing contractor for your repair or replacement job and finding the right one can be tricky. After doing your research and choosing a few prospective contractors, it’s important talk with each one to find out more about the company and the work they do. Make sure you’re asking these four important questions before you make a decision:

- Ask for references from current projects and roofing projects that happened a few years back. This helps give you an idea of workmanship and professionalism of the roofer’s work now and also how the work holds up after a few years of use.

- Is the company licensed and established in your area? Many contractors travel to areas that have recently been affected by inclement weather and move to the next area after their work is done. This poses a problem when things go wrong. Will the roofer be around if you have a warranty claim? A roofing contractor who is licensed and established in your area will understand local weather and is more likely to be available if you ever have a roofing issue.

- Will the company give you an in-person estimate? Estimates need to be done in person. There is no way a roofing professional can determine exactly how much your job will cost or what needs to be done without an in-person examination.

- What are the details of the warranty? Make sure to ask how long the company guarantees its work. If you’re planning to sell your house soon, find out of the warranty is transferable from owner to owner. Typically, roofing warranties last for a year at minimum and the roofer covers the work while the manufacturer covers the supplies. These are two separate warranties, so make sure you understand and have copies of both.