Your roof is an imperative part of protecting your home – it protects you from bad weather conditions, the hot sun, and more. When you need a roofing project done, it’s important to know how to choose a roofing contractor who will get the job done right.
However, knowing how to pick a roofing contractor can be stressful. How do you know you’re working with professional roofers who will do a high-quality job so your home stays protected? Our team at Rusco is here to help you learn what you need to know, and how to find the best contractor for the job.
Read the Rusco blog to learn four common signs it’s time for a new roof.
When You Need a Roofing Contractor
Looking for roofing contractors starts with knowing when you need one. Various circumstances can arise over the many years of owning a home that will lead you to need a roofer, such as:
Routine Maintenance
You don’t have to wait for an emergency to hire a roofing contractor. Residential roofing services will help you conduct regular maintenance that can prevent potential damage, extend the roof’s lifespan, and offer ongoing protection against the elements.
Storm Damage Replacement
A storm can cause havoc to your roof, requiring professional roofing contractors to come in quickly. After a bad storm, roofers can effectively and efficiently replace the roof before more property damage occurs.
Roof Replacement
Even though roofs last for decades, people still need to replace them from time to time. When your home needs a complete roof replacement because of age or damage, a roofing installer can help. Some signs that you may need to replace your roof include:
- You have water damage to the framing or deteriorating and damaged shingles
- Your roof is becoming discolored
- Some holes or leaks cannot be repaired
- Your roof is at least 20-30 years old
Installing Upgrades or New Construction
Roofing contractors can also assist you with installing upgrades and handling new construction projects. Choosing the right professional for the job can help ensure your new project fits in with the rest of your home’s aesthetic, follows contemporary roofing trends, and is done with the right materials to ensure an eco-friendly and protective job.
Before Selling Your Home
Before selling your home, it’s a good idea to consult a roofing contractor. You may need to replace your roof to implement fixes before new owners buy it, but you can look into replacing your roof to increase market value or enhance curb appeal.
Roofing Contractor Qualifications
When looking into how to choose a roofer, there are various qualifications you should look for. Professional roofers will have multiple factors that make them a good choice for your needs, along with the necessary licenses the state or municipality requires. Qualifications you should look for from your roofing contractor include:
- Licensing: Your roofer should be licensed, even if the state doesn’t require it. This ensures that your roofer is legitimate, knowledgeable, and safe.
- Experience: Roofers should also be experienced and have plenty of roofing projects under their belt already. This way, you know your home is in good hands.
- Insurance: Roofing can be a dangerous job, which means it’s important to check if your roofer has all the necessary insurance, such as workers’ compensation, liability insurance, and more.
- References: References or word-of-mouth from friends can help you make the decision and know that you’ve chosen the right roofer for the job.
Comparing Types of Roofing Contractors
Knowing how to choose a roof contractor is especially important depending on the job you need to be done. Select a contractor whose skills align with your project needs. Some of the main types of roofers include:
- Residential Contractors: These roofers work exclusively on homes, in some cases repairing existing roofs or like Rusco, primarily work on replacing them. Residential roofs are much different than commercial ones, meaning that finding a qualified contractor is imperative for your home’s safety.
- Commercial Contractors: Commercial roofers will work on apartment buildings, commercial offices and stores, communal buildings like churches or recreation centers, and more. Ensure your contractor is fully licensed and knowledgeable about how to safely install or fix commercial roofs.
- Specialty Contractors: Lastly, specialty contractors can work on any roofs that may have unusual specifications, such as sharp angles, fixtures, or other aspects. Experienced professionals working with these buildings ensure they stay safe without compromising on design.
Evaluating Roofing Proposals
After vetting your roofer and asking them all the right questions, it’s still important to evaluate the proposal they send over. There are various ways to know what distinguishes a compelling bid from the rest, such as assessing:
Cost and Payment Terms
Your roofer should transparently explain the cost of the project. They should have concise breakdowns for materials, labor, taxes, insurance coverage, and payment terms. Ensure you don’t simply go with the cheapest option either – check for overall services offered and if your roofer includes other benefits alongside their prices, such as cleanup needs and warranties.
Scope of Work
The proposal should also outline the entire scope of the project. Then you can check to ensure that you and the roofer have the same understanding about what is being done, how long it will take, and if there are any extra services included.
Quality of Materials
The quality of the materials your roofer uses will directly affect the durability and aesthetic of your roof. Therefore, it’s important to understand what materials your roofer will be using and if they will stand the test of time.
Warranty Information
Also, closely examine the workmanship warranty that your roofer provides in the proposal. Make sure to understand what coverage is offered, if the contractor has confidence in their workmanship, and if there are any extraneous factors provided.
Timeline
The proposal should clearly outline the timeline for how long the contractor expects the project to take. Make sure that the timeline is what you previously discussed and that it won’t disrupt your daily life for weeks on end.
Licenses and Insurance
Lastly, the proposal should concisely highlight what licenses the roofer has and what insurance they’re providing. By doing this, you can ensure that you avoid liability for potential issues and that your roofer is legally compliant with all requirements.
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractors
When you’ve narrowed down your options to just a few roofing contractors, it’s a good idea to make a list of roofing questions to thoroughly vet each professional. Knowing what questions to ask a roofer before hiring them can make all the difference in what you know about their expertise, reliability, and workflow.
Business Qualifications
Some of the most important questions to ask a roofer will be about their business qualifications. Make sure you ask the following questions:
- How long have you been in business?: Make sure they’re not a new business that doesn’t have any references or previous projects.
- Are you a licensed roofing contractor?: As mentioned, you want to ensure your residential roofer is properly licensed and insured.
- Do you use roofing subcontractors?: Some roofing companies contract their work out to other roofers who may not be licensed or experienced.
- Can I see examples of your completed projects?: If they don’t have any previous projects to show you – or if their past projects don’t look up-to-snuff – you should look for another roofer.
Estimates and Contracting
Additionally, good roofing companies should be able to provide you with detailed estimates and well-defined contracts. This way, you can ensure clear communication and avoid unexpected costs down the road. Before hiring a roofer, ask them:
- When can you provide a written estimate?: If a roofer can’t – or simply won’t – give you a written estimate, this is often a red flag.
- What does the estimate include?: It’s important to check that everything is included in the estimate and that there won’t be any hidden costs they “forgot” to add to the estimate.
- Do I need a building permit for this job?: Roofers should be knowledgeable about local building codes, so make sure you ask them about building permits and other licenses you may need.
Project Execution and Warranty
Lastly, understanding how a roofing installation contractor conducts their projects is imperative for understanding the scope of how they work. Ask your roofer the following questions:
- What is your project completion track record?: While every project will vary, it’s important to know the general outline for how long the roofer generally takes to complete projects. You don’t want a roofer who takes 3x longer than other businesses.
- What kind of warranty do you offer on your work?: Roofs can become damaged for a multitude of reasons. Understand your roofer’s warranties on any of their work and the circumstances under which those warranties are offered.
- How do you handle unexpected issues like weather or discoveries of additional repairs?: Many factors, such as bad weather or additional fixes, can cause a project to become delayed, so it is important to know how your roofer plans to handle these issues if they arise.
Trust Rusco For Your Roofing Contract Needs and Schedule a Free Inspection Today
Understanding how to choose a roofing contractor can seem overwhelming, but thankfully, Rusco is here to help. We provide top-notch residential roofing services, and our team is fully licensed and thoroughly trained in roof replacement. We provide design consultations, clearly defined proposals and plenty of great reviews for our past projects. This way, you know you’re getting the best of the best.
Get in touch with Rusco today to learn more about our residential roofing services and schedule a roof inspection. We will give you a free quote on your project and work with you to ensure your home’s renovations are all that you dream of and more.