When your roof is in need of repairs or replacement, you have to enlist the services of a roofing contractor. However, getting work done on your home can be nerve-wracking. After all, your home is probably your most significant investment and prized asset. You don’t want to let in a total stranger to do a botched job, or worse, damage your home and incur even more expenses.
So before hiring a roofing contractor, it is important to clarify some things to ensure a smooth project. Here are five questions that you need to ask a roofing contractor before signing a contract.
5 Questions to Ask A Roofing Contractor Before Signing a Contract
1. Are you a licensed roofing contractor?
One of the first things you need to ask a roofing contractor is whether they have the necessary Builders license to practice the profession in the state. Roofing is a government-regulated profession and all states require contractors to prove that they have the qualifications to practice their profession. Having a license adds to the contractor’s credibility.
2. Do you have the necessary insurance?
All home improvement projects pose a risk of injury not only to the contractor but also to you and other parties. Ensuring that everyone has the necessary insurance will protect all parties should an accident happen during the construction or renovation work.
Ask if the roofing contractor has workers’ comp insurance and general liability insurance. Workers’ comp insurance ensures that you will not be held liable for medical expenses in case an accident happens to the contractor. General liability insurance, on the other hand, protects you in case your property is damaged.
3. May I see your references?
The contractor’s past work is a testament to their expertise. By asking a potential roofing contractor to provide a list of people they have worked for, you can visit the sites or talk to previous clients and ask about their experience.
Ask their previous clients if the job was finished on time and if they are satisfied with the work. In addition, ask if there were mistakes in the work and if they were corrected afterwards. Finally, ask if previous clients will recommend the contractor to others.
Additionally, you can check out online reviews to see what others are saying about this roofing contractor. Google, Facebook and the Better Business Bureau can help you get ease of mind in this company’s work.
4. Do you use subcontractors?
Most contractors will utilize subcontractors to handle some or all of the roofing work. If your contractor does so, then ask about the quality of the subcontractors work. Asking your contractor if they will use subcontractors is particularly important in case of payment issues between the contractor and the subcontractors. If the contractor you hire doesn’t pay the subcontractors, the latter will have the right to file a mechanics lien for the renovation work, making you potentially liable to pay them.
5. How would you like to get paid?
To save you the headache that comes with payment issues, it is advisable to talk about the payment terms with the contractor early on. Structuring the payment terms in a way that fits your budget and the preferences of the contractor ensures a smooth transaction. Talk to your contractor about their specific payment process before the project begins.
These are just some of the important questions that you need to ask roofing contractors before closing the deal. Knowing the answer to these questions in advance ensures that the renovation work on your roof will be smooth and hassle-free.
Guest Blog Post written by Chris Woodard:
Chris Woodard is the Co-Founder of Handle, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers secure their lien rights and get paid faster by automating the collection process for unpaid construction invoices.
Photo by Russ Hendricks
