Thorough Guide on Picking the Best Roofing Service for You

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We all reach a point in our lives when we may need a new roof. It might be because our roof was damaged by some environmental event such as a thunderstorm. Or the roof may just have gotten really old and is now breaking down due to wear and tear. Either way, you need to find someone to install a new roof for you. 

It is something you can’t do yourself because it is a highly complicated, difficult and unsafe process. You need to rely on a professional to change the roof in your home. That is why it is important that you look for the best roofing service. 

If you are confused about how to select the right contractor for yourself, check out this guide. After all, this is an investment that is going to increase the value of your property. Here are the main tips you need to follow when finding a reliable contractor. 

The Roofer Has to Be Local

There are hundreds of different contractors that you can find online but it is better to hire one that is near your location. You can easily know which roofer is worth hiring based on how the local people perceive that company. Most of the time, what people say can give you a better indication of a company rather than any testimonials on that particular company’s website. 

Moreover, the local company or contractor would be familiar with the weather conditions. Accordingly, they would set up the roof in the most suitable way. They will probably even tell you insightful tips of roof maintenance. 

There is also much less chance of that company becoming fraudulent. Since the contractor is local, you could even go and check out their offices and meet them in person. 

Experience Matters!

Even if the contractor isn’t fraudulent, it doesn’t mean they cannot mess up the roof installation or replacement. You shouldn’t have to worry about that. So, the best thing to do here is to find a contractor that has enough years of experience under their belt. The ideal number of years would be five. 

Moreover, there’s also another benefit in hiring experienced roofers. These people would have spent ample time in the industry to know who the best manufacturers are and who can provide you with useful tips when you want to claim roofing insurance. Always remember, the more the experience, the better the service will be. 

References

If you ask a roofing contractor about their services, they would have nothing but positive to say. Even their website of theirs, if they have any, is going to have positive reviews on it only. That is why you should check for third-party references that can give you unbiased and honest information. The past customers can tell you about their time with the company. This will tell you if the company is worth hiring or not. 

You should ask the previous customers essential questions such as whether they were satisfied with the work or not. Moreover, you should ask whether the contractor kept them updated on the status of the work. Plus, you should ask them if the work was done on a reasonable time span or not. You should also inquire about the price packages that they were given by the company. 

As for the online reviews, check external websites such as Yelp or Angie’s List. 

Steer Clear of Storm Chasers

Every industry has its scammer. Similarly, in the roofing industry, there’s a unique type of scammer known as the storm chaser. They usually arrive to your doorstep after there’s been a storm and your roof needs some fixing. The prices they offer are unusually low, and they pretend to be a reliable contractor when in reality, they are not. The best way to avoid these scammers is to check their company and see if it’s legitimate. Check their vehicle for business names, logos, Emails and phone numbers. If they’re asking for money in advance and in cash, you should be highly wary of them. See their Better Business Bureau ratings and see if you can rely on them. Do not pay any money until there’s been a written contract set. 

Ask for Proposals

Once you have narrowed your options for contractors, you should ask for proposals.  You need to know what each contractor offers in their services and the entire cost. Moreover, the roofing materials used should be included in each of the proposals as well. This proposal should also tell you how and when you are to pay the company and how much time the company will take on this roofing project. The proposal must include in warranties as well. Any legitimate company would give you a properly written proposal. So, if a contractor isn’t willing to provide this, then you should remove that option from you list. 

Insurance and Licensing 

You should never hire someone that doesn’t have a license to practice the work they do. It would just mean that they are not qualified enough to do an efficient job. Moreover, they should be insured so that there is nothing to worry about in case of an accidental injury during work. Hence, don’t just ask your friend, who’s an expert in these things, to change your roof. Rely on a professional who holds a roofing license and is insured! 

Emergency Services

You should be aware of whether the roofing company or contractor offers emergency services to it customers. There are plenty of times when our roofs unexpectedly break down and we need to get them fixed as soon as possible. It would be a great help to you if you know that the company you usually rely on for roofing troubles can help you in time of an emergency as well. That is why you should always ask the contractor for it.