Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist

When hiring a roofing contractor, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot of competition to choose from. It’s important to select the right contractor from the masses who will do flawless work on your home for the best value. Your contractor should meet all the necessary requirements to perform the installation or repairs for your roof. To hire the perfect contractor, refer to this checklist.

Your roofing contractor should be:

• Local
• Licensed in your state
• Certified to work with the materials for your project
• Reviewed positively by customers
• Insured with workman’s and general liability insurance
• Able to guarantee their work
• Willing to provide written estimates

Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist

Here’s a breakdown of the checklist for hiring a roofing contractor outlining why each item is important to you and your roofing job:

They’re local

Your roofing contractor should already work in your area. Not only should you support local businesses, but you also want a contractor that won’t have to travel far to the job site and can easily transport materials and tools over a short distance. This will lower the cost of the job and will make it more likely for your roof to be completed on time with no hassle.

Also, hiring a local contractor means you’ll know who to call for repairs or updates. The person who installed your roof will be most qualified to fix it, and you won’t want to bring on other contractors who aren’t familiar with the work done by a different company.

They’re licensed in your state

Each state has specific standards and requirements for roofs. A contractor who is properly licensed will be well-versed in these requirements. They will also bring particular knowledge of weather and climate concerns of your area. All of these will affect the choices they make in working conditions, materials and staffing. Not all states have the same licensing requirements for contractors, so double-check that they are qualified to work on your home. 

They’re certified for your project

Has your roofing contractor done projects like yours before? Are they certified to work with the materials you want to use? Your contractor should have all the necessary certifications for your roofing job. A GAF factory qualified roofing installer, for example, is knowledgeable about GAF products and procedures, has the customer approval rating to back it up and is committed to ongoing professional training. 

They have a good reputation

Before hiring a roofing contractor, compare roofing companies in your area to see which rank best with local customers. Be sure to check all the references they provide and ask if clients are still happy with the work their contractor performed years later. Remember, if your contractor is already GAF certified, they have high customer satisfaction to have earned the title.

They are covered by insurance

Insurance is crucial. If the roofing company you want to hire doesn’t have insurance, there might be a reason. Insurance is an extra cost for roofing companies, but it provides their customers with peace of mind that they won’t have to foot the bill if something goes wrong on the job. There are two types of insurance your roofing contractor should have: Workman’s Compensation Insurance and General Liability Insurance.

• Workman’s Compensation Insurance covers the crew installing your roof. If one of them gets injured and there is no insurance to cover it, you might be liable for their medical expenses.
• General Liability Insurance covers any accidents on your property. If something were to happen to your home as a result of the company’s work — such as fire, flood or other damage — you will not have to go into debt to pay for it.

Insurance is there to protect both parties from having to worry about tragic accidents. You can ask to view a company’s certificates of insurance to confirm that a plan exists, rather than take them at their word.

Their work is guaranteed

Any good roofing contractor will be willing to stand behind the quality of their work. Some will have this in writing as a warranty for the products they recommend. They should hold themselves accountable for any mistakes or repairs that are needed because of their work. You want to hire a roofing contractor who will hold themselves accountable so you aren’t the one to foot the bill if something is done incorrectly. 

They provide written estimates

A written estimate is a general costs agreement that provides a clear understanding between you and your roofer. It is used as a guide throughout the roofing installation process to assess and track costs of removing and disposal of the old roof, materials and labor for installing the new one. Written estimates function as a tacit agreement and help keep expectations in line. A contractor who provides this service is going to be upfront with their quote and manage your expectations.

 

If you follow this checklist for hiring a roofing contractor, you’ll find someone who is reputable, licensed and insured and qualified for your project. They will do their best work the first time, so you can have your roofing project completed to your specifications and at a great value.

If you’re looking for a qualified and insured roofing contractor who is factory certified, look no further than Werner Roofing. We’re a GAF factory-certified roofing installer, and we’re able to install GAF’s top-of-the-line unique Timberline roofing system. For more information, or to request a free quote, give us a call at (616) 833-5382 or contact us online.