Top 10 Things To Know When Hiring A Roofer or Contractor

Hiring a roofing contractor is a big decision for a lot of homeowners. It's a big commitment of time and money, but it's also an emotional decision based on building relationships. With so much on the line, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Following these steps will help you to hire the best roofer, one who will help you build a quality roof that will protect your home for many years.

1) Know what you want to have done on your roof

You should have a clear idea of the scope of the roofing work. If you don't, a good contractor can explain it to you, but your own research will help. Know the type of expertise that will be required to get the job done and what your budget is. Having a solid plan will start the project off smoothly so you and your roofing contractor are on the same page. Red flag: If a roofing contractor tells you he can't do what you want, or if you get the feeling that he is out of his depth, save yourself some agony and find someone else. A good contractor should be able to do what you want.

2) Ask around about roofers others may know

Ask around. Get recommendations from friends, neighbors or family members about roofers they may know. You can also ask people that work with contractors like an electrician or a plumber, or contact local roofing suppliers. Don't just take a name, ask what they thought of the roofing contractor's work. Was he timely? Was he clean? Did he deliver what was promised? Are they satisfied with the work? Red flag: If you get a reference with a name, but can't get a company name, continue to get more references

3) Make sure your roofer is local

It makes no sense to hire an out of town roofing contractor for several reasons. If there is a problem after your roof is complete and he's paid, will he come back to fix it? Even if he's set up shop locally, how long will he be in town? Will he stand behind his roofing guaranty if he has to drive hours to get to you? What if there is a damaging storm? After a catastrophic storm, the amount of calls a roofer receives can easily increase 300% to 500% or more. Established roofing contractors may only be able to tend to previous customers. Will the out of town roofer be there for you? Red flag: Big storms can flood your area with out-of-town contractors looking for a quick buck. If there has been a big storm and your potential contractor does not live and work in the area, you may want to wait for a local roofer.

4) Talk with your roofer

A good roofing contractor will be an expert at replacing or repairing a roof. Unless your job is unusual, he will have done this many, many times, and that will show. (even unusual jobs are well within the scope of an experienced roofer). Ask if he will be present during the work, and if he'll be performing any work. Ask about his experience. Think of it this way; Do you want to hire a salesman, or someone who decided to go to school and be a roofing contractor, OR someone who came up through the ranks of construction, becoming an experienced roofing craftsman along the way? The bottom line is, hire a roofer you trust can do the job, and will conduct his business professionally.

5) What kind of vehicle does the roofer drive?

It doesn't have to be new, or even pretty, but a legitimate roofing contractor drives a truck. You can't check a roof without a ladder. A truck that looks like its ready for the junkyard may indicate the kind of work this roofer performs or how they runs their business. Red flag: If your potential roofer shows up in a car with a ladder on top, he's probably not your guy. If he shows up in a car and needs to use "your" ladder, he's definitely not your guy.

6) The roofing contract

The roofing contract you sign with your roofer should clearly layout the scope of work to be performed, and the type of materials to be used (at least the roof covering and the underlayment), and the final guaranty on the installation. NOTE: The guaranty on the installation is different from the guaranty from the manufacturer. Unless you have allot of experience with roofing, trying to understand all the roofing materials can be overwhelming. For instance, it is important to ask what type of valley flashing is used (I prefer metal), but do you really need to know the roofing manufacturer? Focus on the important stuff. The roofing contract should also layout possible extras, or unforeseen work that may be needed, like rotten wood repair. Rotten wood is common in roofing, and a good roofing contractor will check for it, but it can be hidden. Some damage doesn't reveal itself until the roof is stripped clean. Roofing Material color and manufacturer are up to you, and may be added to the contract later if you have not made a final decision, but want to move ahead with scheduling the roofing job. Ask any question you have. An honest roofer that has your best interest at heart will do business on a handshake, but get it in writing.

7) Paying for your roof repair

In construction and roofing, payment is expected when the work is properly completed. Just like you expect your paycheck on Friday, a roofing contractor (or anyone in construction) expects to be paid when the job is done. If you want to hold back part of the final payment for any reason like waiting on the final inspection, or having the roof inspected by a separate party (two very different things) that must be talked about before signing a contract so the roofing contractor can take that into account. The industry standard is 1/3 down payment, 1/3 when work begins, 1/3 upon completion. It may be nerve-racking to let that first payment on your roof go without seeing any work, so the way to solve that is to make your deposit when the first roofing material delivery is made, or when the roofing work begins (whichever comes first) . Some roofing contractors reserve that only for larger jobs. The Roofer has to go out and buy all the roofing materials to begin the roof, so if you don't put down a deposit, you're basically asking him to float you that money. Check or cash? Many people want to pay by check so they have a record of payment. If that's what you want, and a contractor makes you feel bad or uncomfortable about it, that may indicate his finances or business are not as strong as they should be. If you'd like to pay in cash, that's fine too. The internet is full of warnings against paying in cash, but that is silly. A well written receipt is fine. Red flag: NEVER PAY IN FULL IN ADVANCE. There's no reason for it, and There are too many horror stories of unscrupulous "contractors". Any roofing contractor worth his salt knows that will stress the customer out, and start the business relationship out on a bad note.

8) Trust your gut when hiring a roofer

"Don't ignore your gut." Do your research, but listen to your gut if it tells you something doesn't feel right about the roofer you are looking to hire. I have been in the roofing and contracting business for over 30 years and usually don't ask for a payment up front to start a roofing project. Red flag: If something feels wrong with your potential contractor - trust your feelings.

9) Ask the roofer for references

Ask those references what they thought of the roofing contractor's work. Was he timely? Was he clean? Did he deliver what was promised? Are they satisfied with the work? Did they enjoy the collaborative experience? You can also call the contractor's suppliers to see if he pays his bills on time. Red flag: If the roofing contractor doesn't have legitimate references and a list of roofing suppliers you can contact, try someone else.

10) Hire Top Cat Roofing

The best advice to give is to hire Top Cat roofing for your next roof or roof repair. Call For A Free Estimate Today 321-951-2864. After all we are Palm Bay's Favorite Roofer! Red flag: If it's not Top Cat, it's not the best.