Choosing a Good Roofing Contractor

Having to replace or repair a roof isn’t something that many look forward to, but it is a fact of life that roofs that protect the interiors of our homes from the elements, get their fair share of punishment. So, sooner or later, your roof is either going to need repair or in the worst case scenario; replacement. Unfortunately, replacing a roof isn’t a walk in the park, and with so many different roofing contractors around, it can be difficult to identify the best one and make the best decision. We’ll take you through some of the things that you need to do in order to find the best roofing contractor for your roofing job.

Where to Start

When you need a roof replaced or repaired, it is important that you get the job done to a high standard, as your new roof will need to be able to protect your home for many years to come. There are a lot of roofing contractors out there to choose from, a simple search of the internet or the business pages of your local telephone directory will tell you that. However, the problem is trying to choose the right one, and that isn’t always easy, as there are plenty of unscrupulous companies out there that are only interested in separating you from your money.

First you need to make a shortlist of roofing companies in your area. At least 3. Once you’ve made a shortlist, you’ll need to begin researching them, and this entails looking out for reviews that have been left by other customers who they have worked with.

Getting a Quote

Once you have 3 or 4 different companies that seem to have gained good reviews for the quality of their work, it makes sense to ask them to give you an estimate of just how much it is going to cost to repair or replace your roof. Getting multiple bids from different company’s means that you can study the estimates against each other, and you may be surprised at just how far apart some quotes can be from others.

If you’re sure where to find roofing companies in your area, a quick search of the internet should yield quite a few results. However, you can also ask friends, family and work colleagues who may be able to recommend a good roofing contractor who they have used in the past.

It is a good idea to rule out those companies that are reluctant to offer a free no obligation estimate, as this could be a sign that they are less likely to know what they are doing or just plain dodgy.

This also applies to the salesmen of the company that you have invited to carry out the estimate. If they seem to just be telling you what you want to hear, or they appear shifty and sleazy, then also rule them out, as first impressions often count, and you should always go with your gut instinct.

Once you have all the quotes you need, you will need to start comparing them, and some of the things that you need to look more closely at include whether the estimate gives a full rundown of what will be included in the installation, as well as other factors. For example, you need to look at whether your contractor will be replacing such things as the flashing, what is the warranty that they are offering, can you negotiate on the price etc.

Insurance and Licensing

One last thing to think about is whether the company that you are using is fully licensed and insured, which is important on two levels. Firstly, you will get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they are fully trained and have the necessary skills to complete the job expertly and to time. Secondly, if anything should go wrong that they are fully insured against the costs of any remedial work that may need to be carried out on your property. If a company does not have the necessary licensing and insurance, or they become evasive when you ask them about it, make sure that you avoid their services and move on to someone else.

In Conclusion

Finding the right roofing contractor can be a bit of a chore, however, it makes sense to take the time necessary to find the best contractor in your area, so that your roof replacement of repair work goes off without a hitch.