There are many questions that you need to consider when you’re hiring anyone, and roofing contractors are no different than any other. As a matter of fact, they’re right up there along with electricians and plumbers when it comes to making sure that both you and them are safe, as well as secured. That is why we’re going to give you 6 questions to ask a roofing contractor when hiring them. These questions are important, and if they can’t answer them, then you may not want to hire them, or want to shop around. We’ll explain that more later.
What is your Company’s Name and Address?
Some roofer’s operate their contracting out of their home, so therefore, they don’t have a physical office and use their home address. This isn’t an issue, but what is an issue is if a contractor won’t give you their physical address. This is actually for you and their safety in case anything happens so you know how to go to their home or provide actual details in the case of any accidents. If they use a P.O. Box, ask for their physical address.
May I See Your Proof of Insurance?
If a contractor is not insured when it comes to physical labor, this is a question that they should answer. If they can’t, or they aren’t fully insured on their own end, you may be held liable for any damages, or even accidents to your home or the contractor. Be sure to keep yourself safe, and it’s also for their safety as well.
Do You Use Subcontractors?
This is about the same as “outsourcing” in the contracting business. It’s important that the subcontractors, apprentices, and the like are all insured and you should ask the same questions (and get solid answers) from every single one of them before you let them work on your home.
Can I See a Reference List?
Whether online or offline, a contractor should have a “portfolio” if you will, and be able to provide references of homes they’ve worked on recently. If they don’t have it, they may be just starting out or not have enough experience (or bad service experience and they’ve sugarcoated their references). Be sure to ask them, and then dig online and offline for other homeowners who the company works for so you know what you’re getting into. If they refuse to give any references, move forward and choose someone else.
Do You Have a Service Warranty?
A successful contractor who runs a business also usually includes the materials and should at least offer a warranty for about a year (sometimes longer) in order to be a good business. If they don’t have any, or their materials don’t either, then you don’t want that.
May I See Your Contractor License? Do You Have One?
If they can’t answer this one, or they say they have one but can’t show it to you. Do not trust them to do quality work either. Every contractor that works on your home should have their own contractor license, and even journeyman’s apprentices have them, so you should be able to see their subcontractor’s license too. Otherwise, the contractor should have a license that covers even their subcontractors and employees. This way you can make sure that their license is up to date and they have no violations.
Conclusion
All of these are inclusive and necessary questions that a contractor needs to be able to answer, and if they can’t, then their work may not be trustworthy, or you may be held liable for things that you shouldn’t. Make sure that your contracted roofer can answer all of these questions.
Awesome blog. I will recommend everyone to read before hiring a contractor.
You got me when you said that you must ask a roofing contractor for references so you can get info about them and to know the experiences of their past clients. We’ll do this to find a reputable roofing contractor. We want to have our old roof replaced because it has a lot of damaged shingles that may cause water leaks.