10 Necessary Questions to Ask a Roofer Before They Work on Your Home

It starts to storm outside, and you notice the drip-drip of a leak. Upon further inspection, you realize there’s a sizable leak coming from your home’s roof. What do you do now? When your roof has begun to leak or is otherwise damaged, it’s time to call a roofing contractor to fix the issue. A damaged roof is not something you want to let go, and you only want the most qualified professionals working on it.

There are some questions to ask a roofer before hiring them if you want to make sure the job will get done right. Continue reading to find out what those questions are.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

All roofing companies and contractors are required to be licensed in the state where they work. You also want to ensure the company carries general liability insurance. This insurance is how you’ll receive compensation if anything becomes damaged during the project.

2. Do You Have Workman’s Comp Insurance?

You want to work with companies who have workman’s comp insurance. If a company doesn’t carry it, you could be held liable for medical bills stemming from onsite work injuries.

3. How Will You Protect My Gutters While Working on My Roof?

Most homeowners don’t consider this, but gutters can become irreparably damaged during a roofing project. A professional will take steps to protect your gutters. The most common methods of protection are ladder stabilizers and standoffs.

4. Do You Bring Your Own Container for Refuse?

A lot of refuse occurs during a roof repair or replacement. A few examples could include shingles, plywood, and insulation. If a company expects you to provide a container for the refuse accumulated during your roof repair, this should be a red flag. An excellent company will provide their own container.

5. Are You a Local Company?

It’s normal after a natural disaster to see a variety of contractors come in from out of state to ease the local workload. While this is great, you don’t want to use these out-of-state companies for one big reason. If something goes wrong after your roof has been replaced, only a local company will be capable of fixing the issue.

6. Do You Offer a Warranty on My New Roof? If Yes, How Long?

Any new roof should come with a warranty. At a minimum, you should expect a 25-year guarantee. If a company doesn’t provide a warranty on a new roof, this should be a huge red flag. General repairs and maintenance should also come with some guarantee or warranty. For repairs, expect a minimum of thirty days. This helps protect your investment should something go wrong shortly after the project is completed.

7. Will You Provide a Written Estimate?

Written estimates are a must. They protect both the homeowner and the company by ensuring both parties understand how much the project will cost. Any company that refuses to provide a written estimate is unprofessional and should be avoided.

8. Will You Replace My Roof or Do a Layover?

You’re probably wondering what a layover is. A layover is when a company patches up any issues and then shingles over the roof. Occasionally this method is fine, but it really depends on your roof. Generally, you want to find a company that will do a full roof replacement. A layover can allow weak spots and other damage to be hidden from view but not fixed. If a company does want to do a layover, ask why. Ensure they provide evidence that a full replacement isn’t necessary.

9. Will You Be Working With Subcontractors on My Roof?

Subcontractors aren’t employees of the company you hire. Instead, they’re used to either supplement human resource shortages or for specialized parts of the job. If your roofing project requires gutter replacement, for example, a company may hire subcontractors. Subcontractors are fine, so long as they’re as reliable as the company you’re hiring. Ask for proof that the subcontracted companies or individuals are also licensed and insured. You want to know that everyone working on your property is reliable.

10. Do You Have References From Previous Clients?

References are a great way to see what type of work a roofer does. If you’re a homeowner, however, make sure the references are from other residential properties and not commercial buildings. The two aren’t always the same.

How to Find a Roofing Company

You know what types of questions to ask a roofing company before hiring them, but where do you find them in the first place? You can start your search in one of two ways.

Search Online

Perhaps the easiest is to do a Google search. Type “roof repair near me” or “roof replacement near me” into the query bar. This search should provide you with a listing of companies that work in your area. You can check out their websites for more details about their services and find the company’s contact information.

Ask for References

Prefer the old fashioned word-of-mouth route? That works well, too. Ask the people you trust if they’ve used a roofing company before. Chances are high you know at least one person who has had their roof repaired or replaced. You can ask friends, family members, coworkers, or even neighbors for references.

Follow up With a Review Site Check

Once you’ve found the companies that work in your area, it’s highly suggested you check their ratings online before hiring them. There are multiple sites where previous customers can leave reviews of how well a company did. If most reviews are positive, consider that the go-ahead to make your call and, potentially, hire them. If most reviews are negative, consider going with a different company.

Do You Want More Information on Questions to Ask a Roofer?

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. If something serious goes wrong with your roof, your home can quickly deteriorate if the issue isn’t fixed soon. The questions above can help you assess which roofing company is the best for the job. Do you want more information on questions to ask a roofer? Check out our other blog posts. You’ll find a wealth of information on related topics.