{"id":162609,"date":"2023-10-10T11:00:29","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T11:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=162609"},"modified":"2023-10-10T11:00:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T11:00:30","slug":"finding-a-professional-roofer-you-can-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/consutruction-and-architecture\/finding-a-professional-roofer-you-can-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding a Professional Roofer You Can Trust","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n
We’ve all heard the horror stories about roofing projects gone wrong. You hire a company that seems great on the surface, only to end up with a leaky roof, damaged property, and constant headaches trying to get them to fix their shoddy work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a professional roofer you can trust takes some legwork upfront, but it’s worth the effort to avoid ending up in a nightmare scenario. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the tricks for choosing the right roofer to tackle your roofing project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step is gathering intel from people you know and trust, along with strangers on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start close to home by asking friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors if they’ve used a roofer recently that they’d recommend. Referrals from people you trust carry a lot of weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, scour online review sites to get a broader perspective. Pay attention to recent reviews that go in-depth on positives and negatives. A professional roofer will have mostly 4 and 5 star ratings. Beware of roofers with no reviews or a sketchy history of 1 star rants about terrible service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also smart to ask any potential hires for references from past customers that you can call directly. Speaking to a real human who’s used their services will give you invaluable insight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The longer a roofer has been in business, the more seasoned their skills will be. Search for ones like Apple Roofing<\/a> that have many years if not decades of experience under their belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also ensure they specialize in your type of roof – whether asphalt shingle, metal, flat, tile, or other. You want a pro who’s done hundreds of roofs just like yours, not a jack of all trades dabbling in roofing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any reputable professional roofer needs proper licensing, bonded and insured status, and affiliations with roofing product manufacturers. Don’t just take their word for it\u2015confirm they have the proper documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your state doesn’t require licensing, look for advanced certifications and manufacturer training programs the roofer has completed. This proves they’re serious about their trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you’ve identified 3-5 promising roofers through your research, it’s time to talk to them directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Draft up a list of questions<\/a> about their experience, methods, costs, timelines, warranties, safety protocols and anything else that’s important to you. Preparing questions ahead of time will make the interviews more productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Schedule in-person consultations whenever possible. This gives you a better feel for the company’s professionalism and how well you communicate. Be wary of any roofer reluctant to meet you on your own roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A detailed written estimate is essential before agreeing to any work. Make sure it specifies exactly what’s included so there are no surprises with the final bill. Get clarification on any vague costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go through the full project plan including timeline, roofing materials they’ll use, warranties, daily cleanup process, how they’ll protect your home from damage, and of course the final cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rigorously vet that the roofer has active liability insurance, workers comp, and required licenses. Ask to see the documentation yourself\u2015don’t take their word for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With estimates from several roofers in hand, you can start making an informed decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at the bottom line cost, but also scrutinize what’s included. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. The cheapest quote often comes back to bite you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factor in the roofer’s experience, reputation, professionalism, how well you communicated, and your overall gut feeling after meeting them. This is not a decision to make on price alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen to your gut. Even if a roofer checks every box, if you don’t have a good feeling after meeting them or sense warning signs, keep looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask for specifics on how they’ll keep your property protected and clean during the roofing job. Look for conscientious safety processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Circle back with the references you got earlier and ask how satisfied they were overall. This can reveal potential issues not obvious from other research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never sign a contract or agree to work without a detailed written contract. Read the fine print carefully before signing to ensure it aligns with everything you discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you’ve selected your professional roofer, take steps to get ready for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Determine if your project requires permits and who will pull them. Some roofers include this, for others you need to do it yourself. Don’t skip required permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid paying for the entire project upfront if possible. Opt for staged payments tied to completion milestones instead. This gives you leverage in case issues arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\nConfirm Credentials and Affiliations<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Interview Potential Roofers<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prepare Interview Questions<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meet in Person<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ask About the Estimate<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Discuss the Project Plan<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Confirm Insurance and Licenses<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Evaluate Your Options<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Compare Quotes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Go Beyond Price<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trust Your Instincts<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Confirm Safety Procedures<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check References<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Review the Contract<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepare for the Project<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Handle Permits<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make Payments<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepare the Property<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n