How to find the right Roofing Contractor

How to find the right Roofing Contractor

When it comes to building a new home or making improvements to your existing home, the roofing company you choose is a major decision. Your roof is part of the shell of your home. It protects your home from rain, storms, hail, tree limbs, and more. Here are things to consider when deciding on a roofing contractor:

Are they Reliable?

First impressions matter! Did they answer right away or get back to you quickly? Did they show up for the scheduled appointment or communicate if they could not make it on time? Did they get you an estimate in a timely manner? Did they alert you to issues needing to be addressed when they inspected your roof? If you answered no to any of these questions, it is a good indicator that’s how your relationship will go with this contractor.

Picture this, you go with said contractor...they put on your roof. Three months later a windstorm comes through and your roof starts to leak. You call…no answer. You call again…straight to voicemail and no call back. You call a third time…BLOCKED. Nobody wants to be in this position, but it happens more then you realize.

A company that is responsive and communicates is a key factor in choosing a roofing contractor. Keep in mind, things slip through the cracks from time to time, but if they are on top of making it right, you just found a roofing contractor to build a relationship with.

Are they Qualified?

As a homeowner, you are your and your home’s advocate. It is crucial you do your homework when choosing a roofing contractor. Here are a few questions you can ask:

• Is your company licensed and insured in my city/state?

• Does your company pull permits?

• Is your company a certified installer?

• Can you provide a few houses in your portfolio?

As the homeowner, you have EVERY right to ask these questions. If any of these answers are no or the roofer is hesitant about answering, it’s a HUGE red flag.

Ask Questions if you don’t know

You don’t know what you don’t know. If you are unsure exactly what you’re getting, ASK! Every roofing company is different and have different standards on their installations. Your roof contractor should follow the manufacturer’s guide for roof installations for their region. Here are more questions you can ask:

• Is the roof system a manufacture backed roof system? Knowing exactly what type of roof system you’re getting can save you some heartache in the long run. What you don’t want is a contractor who didn’t install all the manufacturer recommended components, and a year later you’re having issues.

• Will the drip edge and pipe boots be replaced? While replacing the drip edge and pipe boots isn’t going to affect your manufacturer’s warranty, it is still something you should consider having done. To put this in perspective, you take your car to be serviced and they tell you the oil pan on your car needs to be replaced. The technician isn’t going to replace the oil pan then put the old oil back in your car. You can think of the drip edge and pipe boots the same way you think of the ”old oil.”

• How much extra will it cost if deteriorated wood is found? Sometimes there will be extra expenses, for example deteriorated wood. It’s hard to know if there will be deteriorated wood until the existing roof system has been torn off. If the cost to replace the deteriorated wood isn’t disclosed on the estimate, you should ask how much will it cost if found during the tear off.

• What type of warranty am I getting? Warranties protect homeowners. They also mean the manufacturer and installer are committed to the quality of the product and service they are providing. Not only should you be asking about a manufacturer’s warranty, but also if the company offers a workmanship warranty. This shows the company stands behind their work and will repair problems which may arise during the warranty period. Each company’s warranty is different and there are usually limitations, be sure to ask these questions when making your decision.

Read the Reviews and ask for Referrals

READ THE REVIEWS. If you go online and see, “The owner acted like I was stupid when I asked him if he offered a warranty…,” RED FLAG. They will most likely act like you’re stupid when you have leaks. Nobody wants to feel that way, especially when it comes to their own home.

No company is perfect and sometimes bad reviews happen. When you’re reading reviews, do the good outweigh the bad reviews? How did the company respond?

You can also ask for referrals. Often, family or friends have used a company that they highly recommend, ask them!

Cheaper is NOT Better

Sometimes it’s easier for homeowners to go with the cheapest option, but it’s not always the best choice. The best quality, warranty, reliability, and reputation isn’t going to be the cheapest company. You want to feel secure when it comes to your home. If you find a company that you really like, it’s worth spending more to get exactly what you want. If you need to pay overtime for the roof, ask the contractor if they offer financing.

In Summary

It comes down to how the company makes you feel. You want to go with somebody who answers all your questions, makes you feel secure, and works well with you. At Gulf South Roofing we strive to provide these elements to our customers. If you’d like an estimate, give us a call today. 228-231-1630.