Why Hiring a Professional Roofing Contractor Matters
When you decided to replace your roof what do you think matters most? Most would say the material, color, and style. Yes, that all makes a difference, but the installation will make or break a roof. Labor makes up around sixty percent of the cost of your new roof, so how do you get your money’s worth? You hire a trusted, qualified professional roofing contractor who uses only trained installation crews and quality materials. Ask for referrals from the contractors you are considering using, and actually drive by homes they have completed to see their finished work product. Ask for homes they’ve done recently, but also look at some that were done a couple of years ago to see how well they’ve weathered your climate.
Ask Good Questions
Interview the roofing contractors like a business owner would a new employee. Ask questions about their business, experience, and installation practices. Consider their answers to give you confidence in your choice. A couple of questions to ask would be:
How do they treat pipes and skylights?
How do they treat flashing and underlayment?
How do they plan on venting your roof?
Do they plan a tear-off, or new layer of roofing material?
do your homework
Vet the roofing contractor to gain confidence in your choice:
- Read online reviews, browse social media, check out their website, and visit past jobs. Just keep in mind that reviews can be biased and social media presents a narrow view.
- Driving by completed jobs makes a difference. Ask for addresses of the contractor’s past jobs (old and new) and do a drive-by to see how the roofs are holding up.
- If acceptable, contact past customers and ask about their experience with the roofing contractor.
Metal Roof Manufacturers’ Installation Guidelines
When you ask questions about installation, bring up the manufacturer. What brand of shingles or metal roofing do they plan to use? What kind of warranties do those companies offer? Ask if the contractor follows the manufacturer’s recommended installation methods. Manufacturer installation methods are developed from years of experience and rigorous testing to find the best results. The contractor shouldn’t ignore them to make things cheaper or easier. Good guidelines also consider different roofs, weather conditions, and tools to deliver the best outcome.
A good roofing contractor will be familiar with the best installation practices and guidelines for all the roofing systems they offer. But don’t assume their experience with the roof product you chose. Ask the questions!