When picking out a contractor to work on your home, you need to find the right questions to ask roofers, questions that will reveal the quality of work and expectations for your roof. Here are several of the most important roofing questions to bring up when a contractor is giving you an estimate.
What qualifications and experience does your company have?
Most roofing scams are perpetrated by new "companies" that exist primarily to make a quick buck. Qualified roofers, on the other hand, will have proof that they know what they are doing. Ask if the company is licensed in the area, and if the company is bonded, or has an insurance policy in place to back up bigger projects. But perhaps even more importantly, you should ask about experience. How long has the company been in business? Professional companies are happy to offer references from their years of work in the field. How many similar projects has the roofer worked on recently? These are important questions to ask roofers when it comes to your specific project.
What does your schedule look like?
Certain times of the year present different scheduling difficulties. Ask the roofer how soon they can get to your roof and how long the project will take to complete. Seek firm answers here, so you know the real timetable.
What exactly is the problem?
If you are hiring a roofer to repair a damaged roof, ask them exactly what went wrong, and ask to see the damage if at all possible. There are a couple reasons for this question: First, you want to see what caused the problem so you can identify or prevent similar problems in the future. Second, you want to make sure that the roofer isn't manufacturing problems that aren't really there - if they are, find a real professional instead.
What do the details of the contract mean?
As Facilitiesnet.com points out, the details in a roofing contract can mean quite a few different things based on how they are interpreted. If the contract promises clean-up, you should ask what this entails, exactly. Will there be additional features such as a moisture survey, if applicable? Does the contract name specific brand products or vague terms that could lead to varying quality? Find questions to ask roofers that will reveal the details of their contract.
What is your process for shingles?
Because the majority of residential roof work involves work on shingles, you may also want to ask a few direct questions about shingling. A qualified roofer will advise you to replace an old layer of shingles rather than covering them up, and may also suggest replacing old felt for a quality job. Shingles are typically nailed with four nails, but if your house has experienced wind damage then a roofer should suggest six nails. Small details like these are important.
