Whether your house needs a new roof due to damage or you simply want to replace your current roofing material, hiring a roofing contractor is not something you should take lightly. Your roof is an incredibly important part of your home, and you need to make sure you choose a company that will install it right the first time, rather than leaving you with potentially costly repairs in the not-too-distant future.
There are some key questions you should ask whenever you speak to a prospective roofing installer. Six of these are featured in this guide. These are simply meant to help you get the conversation rolling; you should, of course, also ask any additional questions that pertain specifically to your home. By the time you’re done reading, you should feel more confident in your ability to hire a contracting company that truly suits your needs.
- What is your office address? – Right off the bat, this question seems a bit odd. However, it’s important to ask because any reputable contractor will provide you with a full business address without question. Companies that have poor reputations often operate using just P.O. Box numbers, rather than physical addresses. Additionally, if a contracting company is located in an established, respectable part of town, you can infer that they are trusted by the local community.
- Is your company fully insured? – Reputable window installation companies should carry complete insurance to protect them and you throughout the course of your roofing job. Typically, liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance are the most essential policies. This means that you will not be responsible for any injuries or other incidents that occur while the contractors are working on your property. Potential roofing installers should have no trouble showing you their proof of coverage if you request to see it.
- Do you have the proper licenses? – It bears noting that not all states require roofing contractors to have licenses. To learn more about what the Carolinas necessitate, a quick internet search should suffice. In the event that you want to work with an installer that at least has a state-issued business license, this question is crucial.
- Do you subcontract out any work? – Some roofing installation companies hire subcontractors to do some of their work, particularly during especially busy months in the summer and fall. This is not an inherently bad thing, but it merits some additional discussion. Potential installers should, for instance, be willing to give you the names of their subcontractors and tell you whether or not they carry the same or comparable, insurance as the company’s own employees.
- Do you have a list of references? – If the contractors you’re considering stand behind their work, they should have no trouble providing references at your request. As you prepare to speak to these references, it’s a good idea to create a list of questions ahead of time. Things like, “Has the roof held up over time?,” “Did the crew behave professionally toward your family?,” and “Was the price quoted the price you ended up paying?” are all good starting points.
- Do you provide your clients with a warranty? – Often, reputable roofing installation companies offer warranties to their clients. If you want to feel extra-confident that your roof will withstand the test of time, make sure you ask this question.
The Hatch Homes team has been doing roofing projects for families in the Charlotte, NC region for many years. We look forward to meeting you and proving to you that we are the right company for your project! You can trust us to help you every step of the way, from picking the best roofing materials for your lifestyle to answering any questions you may have about long-term upkeep.