(317) 864-6193Any residential roofing job is a significant investment that requires meticulous planning and preparation to execute perfectly. Granted, you might run into slight bumps here and there due to unforeseen circumstances. Also, it’s worth noting that you shouldn’t skimp on your budget during a roofing project since this could backfire on you if you choose to use subpar roofing materials and work with a roofing contractor who hasn’t previously handled a roofing job of this scale.
With that being said, choosing the right roofing contractors to work with makes a world of difference during a project. After all, they’re the ones responsible for creating the best roof for your needs. So, it’s important to pick roofers that you’re comfortable with because you’ll be at ease communicating your concerns to them, and you can feel confident working with them and expect a great result from the project.
To help you , we share the questions you should ask to find the perfect roofer for your upcoming project.
Ask If the Roofing Contractors Are a Licensed Company
This is an important detail you need to ask because working with a licensed roofing company means that the company is vetted by the local authorities on roofing. In fact, roofing companies cannot operate if they do not secure a license. You should verify that the licence is up-to-date to avoid any issues in the future. However, you need to know that some states do not require a roofing license, and that license codes vary from state to state. Be sure to read up on the code requirements on whatever project you’re working with so that you have a recourse if your project goes south.
Ask If They Have workers’ Compensation Insurance
There was a period in time when roofing companies weren’t required to have workers’ compensation insurance if they had less than three employees. But that’s not really the case anymore. However, there are roofing contractors who may decide to skimp out on this coverage even if it’s mandatory. This is because the insurance to cover for a roofing contractor injury isn’t cheap.
The reason that it’s important for your prospective roofing company to have this requirement is to rid you of any liability if any injuries happen during the course of the roofing project. If an injury would occur without this insurance coverage, you’ll find out that you’ll have to fork over thousands of dollars in hospital bills, which isn’t a responsibility any homeowner shouldn’t shoulder. As such, be sure to triple-check if your roofing contractor has valid workers’ compensation insurance to put you at ease.
Do They Have General Liability Insurance?
If workers’ compensation insurance is meant for the roofing contractors working on your project, the general liability insurance is there to protect your actual property. For instance, if one of the roofers punctures a hole through your roofing shingles during the job, and you don’t have general liability insurance, you’ll unfortunately be responsible for the repairs even though it’s not your fault. When asking your roofing contractors about detail, don’t just take their word for it. You should ask for a physical copy of their insurance certificate.
Will They Tear Off My Old Roof?
The answer you should hear from your prospective roofer is yes. The truth is, some roofing companies will claim that keeping your old roof will save time and money, especially if during the inspection they notice that the old roof is still in good shape. They would then proceed to re-shingle the old roof. However, unless they tear off the shingles, you won’t be able to find out if your old roof has underlying problems, such as rotten wood or mold growth. Keep in mind that these sneaky issues can result in costly issues if they worsen over time. Be sure that your roofer takes off your previous roofing system before replacing it with a new one.
What Will They Do About Inclement Weather?
One of the most frustrating things both a homeowner and residential roofing contractor can encounter during a project is inclement weather. It’s an inevitable occurrence for which one just has to prepare. If your roof gets drenched in rainwater, chances are that the underlying components will get soft or even develop mold and rotting, which leads to costly repairs. You want to ask your residential roofing contractors how they’re going to prepare for this situation. Ideally, they would cover up the project area with tarpaulins and plastic covers. This ensures that the area stays dry during the duration of the weather event. Also, it’s worth asking if they’re going to send people back in case high winds occur to secure the covering from being torn off.
Ask for an Estimate in Writing
The reason you should request a written roofing estimate is to give you a clear idea of how much your roof repair or replacement project is going to cost. If your prospective roofer can give you an written estimate, it should be comprehensive enough to list down all the details. It should include a detailed breakdown of the cost, such as how much it costs to tear off your old roof, the labor fees, the material costs and other emergency expenses that may be required. Also, requesting for a written estimate compared to a verbal one will give you a greater leverage if the total cost on the actual contract is higher than the one provided in the initial estimate. It also helps you cross-check costs and verify what’s included or not.
You can avoid all these issues if you have an experienced roofing contractor who always puts the customers first and is committed to doing a good job. You can tell this from the company’s superior reviews.
Need a roofer for your upcoming project? Then, turn to Rojas Roofing, the top roofing contractor in Indianapolis. Call us at (317) 864-6193, or you can fill out our contact form to avail of a free estimate! We look forward to working with you during your upcoming project.