Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects your house and the people inside it from the dangers that mother nature can cook up. Roofs are built to last with many asphalt shingles lasting 20+ years and metal shingles lasting upwards of 50 years. However, there may come a time when you find yourself needing a roof replacement. In this post, our roofing experts are going to break down how to pick a roofing contractor.
There are a lot of decisions that go into replacing the roof of your home. The first decision you find yourself making is what company you are going to choose to replace the roof. Making sure you pick the right roofing contractor can make a big difference in your peace of mind during the entire process. Some things to consider when selecting your roofing contractor include materials, cost, insurance & certifications, and quotes and assessments.
Quotes & Assessments
The first step in any contractors process is going to be to come assess your roof and provide a quote based on what they found. If a roofing contractor tries to provide you with a quote before coming to look at your roof – that is a red flag. Replacing a roof on your home is not a cookie cutter process. The requirements will vary depending on how many layers of old material you have on the roof, the pitch (slope) of your roof, and other factors like if your old shingles have asbestos in them.
With so many different factors, the roofing contractor will need to get on your roof to provide a proper assessment. Beyond that, before providing a quote, they will need to know what type of roofing materials you are interested in. Another thing to watch out for is quotes that require payment.
Quotes are commonly free. If a roofing contractor tries to charge you a fee to come look at your roof, you should question whether or not they are the right choice for your project. It could be a sign that they are just simply trying to make a quick buck and don’t actually have any intention of helping you.
Materials
This was mentioned in the last section about quotes and assessments, but it is worth talking about in more detail. Apart from the company that you choose to roof your house, the materials you choose are going to be one of the biggest decisions you make about your roofing project. The available materials can be difficult to sort through sometimes. And, the quality of those materials can be difficult to sort through as well.
Part of a roofing contractor’s job is to make sure that you, the customer, understand the pros and cons of different materials. Asking questions is always a good way to test the contractor and make sure they are giving you honest information. Some questions to ask might be:
- What are the differences between the different materials you offer (asphalt vs. metal) etc?
- Which materials are best to use in my climate?
- What kind of warranties or guarantees are available for each material?
- What options will stay within my budget?
Once you’ve made an informed decision about the type of material, the next decision will be on which specific style or brand you want. Some questions to ask about that include:
- What are the differences between the different styles of shingles?
- Does any style have specific benefits for my local climate over the others?
- What kind of warranties or guarantees are available for each material?
- What options will stay within my budget?
Cost
As with many things in life, when it comes to roofing materials you will find that oftentimes you get what you pay for. With that being said, you should focus on a roofing contractor that is transparent about price and honest about how they get to that price. Some things that affect the cost of your roof are:
- The number of layers of shingles you have on your current roof;
- Whether the wood under the shingles is damaged and will need to be replaced;
- The type of material you want to use;
- The pitch (slope) of your roof;
- The composition of your old shingles (do you have asbestos shingles on your roof, for example);
- The size of your roof; and
- The amount of flashing that will be required.
When talking to your contractor, they should never give you a cost before looking at your home. There are a lot of variables that go into the cost of putting a new roof on your house. That means giving you an upfront “ballpark” cost is surely going to be wrong if the contractor hasn’t looked at your roof.
Insurance & Certifications
Another important part of choosing the right roofing contractor involves insurance. When a roofing contractor is working on your house – their job is to improve your home, not make it worse. However, being prepared for the worst case scenario is the best way to protect your investment and your family. Making sure that your roofing contractor has adequate insurance takes the extra step of protecting you from accidents.
Certifications are another important thing to consider. The main one is whether or not the contractor is licensed. Obtaining a roofing contractor license means that the contractor has provided proof of formal training and on-the-job experience.
Roofing contractors may have a range of other certifications. Some common ones are through sites like Home Advisor and Angie’s List. There are also various certifications from material manufacturers like CertainTeed. While these certifications show that the contractor has been vetted by other organizations, not having these certifications, shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Roofing Insurance
Sometimes homeowners insurance policies will cover a roof replacement. If that is the case, then you will want to make sure that your roofing contractor has experience dealing with insurance companies (like filling out paperwork). Having a roofing contractor that is willing to help you navigate the process is a plus and can reduce your stress during a time where a lot of big decisions need to be made all at once.
Reviews & Personal Network
Shopping for a roofing contractor is no different than shopping for a range of different things. Utilizing reviews from past customers and your personal network can help you determine if the roofing contractor is honest and good at their job. Some of the most common places to read reviews are Google and Facebook. Utilizing your personal network can be beneficial as well. Asking your friends and family who they recommend can help give you a good starting point for companies to contact.
If you’re in the market for a new roof, our roofing experts are here to help and earn your trust. Contacting Expert Roofing & Exteriors is easy. You can call us at (573) 581-3177 or use our easy online contact form by clicking here.
