Reliable and Experienced Roofing Contractor

A good way to make sure your roofing contractor is reliable and experienced is to check with past customers. Many roofers may legitimately refuse to provide a list of past customers, as many of them do not want to release their names. If you do find a roofing contractor with an extensive list of past customers, ask to speak to someone who had a positive experience with them. Also, you should ask about the contractor's reputation for handling customer complaints. If there was a complaint, request a referral from that particular job.

Professional roofing contractors invest time in researching the best roofing materials. They may recommend a particular brand of shingles based on climate, choice of colors, crew experience, and availability. Regardless of your location, a reputable roofing contractor should be able to explain the best shingle for your home. If a shingle is not right for your home, it could end up costing you money. So, it's essential to check the credentials of potential roofers before signing contracts.

Before beginning work, get some training. A good training program will give you valuable hands-on experience, teach you about roofing materials and equipment, and hone your technical skills. Depending on where you live, you may need to take a state or local licensing exam to practice for your license. The exam will cover many of the same topics, so make sure to pay attention and prepare. Your education and training will pay off in the long run.

Ask if the contractor is licensed and bonded. Also, make sure that all of their estimates are in the same ballpark. Ask for references from clients who had problems with the contractor's work. If the contractor had a problem with a customer, this can give you an idea of how trustworthy the contractor is. If the contractor is able to remedy the issue, you'll have a much better chance of finding a reliable roofing contractor.

Make sure to get written estimates from roofing contractors. Written estimates speak volumes about the quality of work that they perform. If a contractor fails to provide a written estimate, he could be wasting your money. A written estimate will also protect you from hidden costs and complications. If you are unsure about the roofing contractor's abilities, check the references in the area. You'll be surprised at how many contractors are unreliable. They might be hiding things from you.

If you're not satisfied with the quality of a roofing contractor's work, you may need to look elsewhere for the next one. Most of the time, roofing contractors will offer a written warranty. These warranties typically last anywhere from one to five years, though they can go as high as 10 years. The warranty will cover problems caused by the installation and the contractor will contact the manufacturer of the defective materials. If the warranty is not valid, the roofer may be liable for damages resulting from repeated foot traffic or improper installation. Also, the warranty usually does not transfer from the contractor to the client.