Your roof is one of the most important structural components in the average residence because of the vital service it performs. Your roof covers you, the structural elements of your home, and everything you own. It protects everything beneath it from nature’s wrath and the everyday elements that would quickly degrade the quality of life. Therefore, when you need roof repairs or replacement, you can’t just trust any roofing contractor you find in online search results.
Though there are many excellent, reliable, and reputable roofing contractors who provide top-quality work and exemplary customer service, there are also some who skirt around the professional ethics embraced by the best in the roofing business. Not only can such contractors provide low-quality workmanship and poor service, but their work could also create safety issues at your home. Fortunately, there are some actions you can take when searching for a quality roofing contractor that will help you separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff and find the best roofing contractor for your job. Keep reading to learn more about the ways that you can determine whether a roofing contractor is legitimate.
Ask about Insurance
When a roofer has insurance, that’s a good indicator that you’re dealing with a reputable contractor. When you encounter a roofer with insurance, you can deduce two things about the quality of work provided and the business ethics of the company. First, the presence of insurance provides you as the consumer with protection from liability since roofing can be dangerous, and insurance will cover you if a worker is injured on your property. Also, insurance policies may cover the cost of any damage done to your property while the roof is being installed. The presence of insurance also tells you that the business is legitimate and professional. Insurers won’t take risks on companies with a bad record of quality and craftsmanship. Therefore, if the company is insured, there’s a good bet that they perform good work.
Payment in Full Up Front
Most reputable roofing contractors won’t ask you for full payment upfront, as that isn’t standard practice among the best in the business. While some roofers may ask for partial down payment as a guarantee that you will pay once the work is done, if a contractor presses you to pay in full or pay the majority of the cost of the roof installation before beginning work, that’s a sign that the roofer may not be completely legitimate.
Signing a Contract
A substantial project like a roofing installation requires a contract that details the responsibilities of both parties. It’s there to protect both the homeowner and the roofer from any malfeasance from the other party. A legitimate contractor will only ask you to sign a detailed, comprehensive contract that spells out the nature of the cost and itemizes fees for services to be rendered. Any roofing contractor who asks you to sign an incomplete contract document with promises of more details to come should be treated with suspicion.
There are plenty of great, ethical contractors in the market today, and by asking the right questions and using the tips above, you can find the perfect contractor for your job. To learn more about how to tell whether a roofing contractor is legitimate, contact Findlay Roofing at (770) 516-5806.