Are you getting ready to sit down with the contractors who gave you quotes for your roof replacement? If so, do you know what questions you need to ask them? It’s alright if you don’t; you’re not alone. So, what are the key questions to ask a roofing contractor? At MHI Roofing, we’re eager to educate homeowners on all things roofing in Cape Coral, so here are some critical questions to ask and the answers you should be looking for.
Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
The first thing you should ask a roofing contractor is if they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.
- Licensed: For a contractor to get a license, they must register with the state’s board of licensing contractors. The price of the job will determine what license they’ll need.
- Bonded: Being bonded means that a bonding company verifies that a contractor does business correctly and ethically. A bond ensures that if a company goes out of business in the middle of a job, or if there’s a problem with the work and they don’t fix it, the customer can fall back on the bond company.
- Insured: All contractors should be fully insured with general liability, workers’ compensation, and company vehicle insurance policies for owned and unowned vehicles.
Don’t be afraid to ask to see physical copies of each. Any roofing contractor with all three should be proud and more than happy to show you that paperwork. Keep in mind that requirements may vary based on the state you live in. Some states may not require the contractor to have one or more of these. Research your local codes and make sure the contractor you hire has all appropriate permits and paperwork.
Is Your Business Local?
When looking at contractors to hire, you should pick one that’s local to your area. Always ask a roofing contractor where their physical office is located and make sure they have a local phone number. This ensures you know where to find them if you ever have a problem with your roof.
Be aware that some out-of-state companies come in after a big storm, undercut local roofing company prices, take the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town. These companies may not care about local codes or whether your roof is properly installed.
On the other hand, a quality local roofing company will know what local installation codes to follow, what paperwork is required, and everything else needed to ensure your roof is correctly installed and compliant with your state’s requirements.
Can I Talk to the Owner If I Have a Problem?
You should always ask a contractor, “If there’s a problem, who do I take it to?” The ability to speak to the owner about roofing concerns is invaluable. If they take time out of their day to listen to your concerns or questions, you can feel confident that your problem is their problem. However, if you’re speaking to people in an office who have no authority, you may end up being shuffled around from person to person until you get tired of dealing with the situation.
Whether it’s the owner or the president, you want to know who you’re dealing with and, more importantly, who to talk to when you have a problem. The ability to speak to an owner shows you that you’re important and that you’ll be taken care of from the very top.
Ask More Questions
Now you know some of the first questions you should ask a roofing contractor. You also know the answers to look for when asking if they’re local, how long they’ve been in business, whether they’re licensed, and more. That said, your questions shouldn’t stop there! Be sure to ask about their warranties, how they’ll protect your home during the project, and whether they can provide proof of their workmanship. The more questions you have answered, the clearer a picture you’ll have when choosing the contractor that’s right for you.