Investing in reroofing services is often necessary when you’re a homeowner for at least 10 years or once your home’s original roof begins to degrade. If you’re in the market for reroofing services, or you’re interested in learning about different alternative roofing services available for residential homes near you, it’s important to ask a few questions before settling on who to hire to get the job done. When you’re aware of the questions you intend to ask potential roofers or local companies you’re thinking of hiring, you’ll find it much easier to come to a decision that you feel the most comfortable with and confident in, especially when it comes to your home’s roof.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
When you’re searching for the nearest local siding contractor, or you’re simply interested in learning more about local roofing services, you’ll first want to ask how long they have been in business. Whether you’re seeking predictable scheduled maintenance appointments or you’re thinking of investing in a major renovation, such as reroofing services, asking how long a contractor or roofing company has been in business and how experienced they are is always advisable. Learning about the extent of experience an individual or crew has when it comes to installing new roofs and reroofing similar types of roofs as you own can help significantly if you’re searching for ways to maintain your peace of mind throughout the process.
Asking how long someone has been in business will also help you determine just how knowledgeable they may be with regard to residential roofing materials and even the latest technologies in the roofing industry itself. If you’re thinking of investing in solar panels, or you want to know the difference between asphalt shingles and a metal or slate roof, an experienced roofer can help every step of the way. An experienced roofer can also provide resources, both locally and online, that can help you in making a decision once you’re ready to purchase the materials your roof requires.
What Type of Experience Do You Have With My Type of Roof?
Hiring a new residential roofer for reroofing services can be tricky, especially if they do not have an extensive portfolio or a broad range of experience. While you’re getting to know any new prospective contractor or the leader of a roofing company, you’ll also want to inquire about the level of experience one has with the type of roof you currently have installed. Not all roofers work with the same materials, which is why it is so important to ask about a roofer’s individual experience with specific materials you already have in place.
If you have a traditional asphalt shingle roof on your home, you’ll want to begin searching for contractors and roofing companies that specialize in classic residential roofing solutions. When you’re dealing with a flat, concrete, metal, clay, or even a slate roof, you’ll also want to ensure that the contractor or roofing company you signed on to help with the project understands your precise needs. For those interested in solar panels or a more energy-efficient solution, you will also need to conduct your due diligence to ensure you’re hiring a uniquely qualified and experienced roofer before you get started.
What Materials Are Best for My Home?
When it comes to calculating the average roof cost while reroofing the type of roof you’ve currently got installed on your home, you can complete the calculations yourself or with the assistance of trusted local roofing contractors. If you’re in the market for a new roof entirely, you’ll also want to consider what type of materials you will likely go with, based on the existing roofing system and structure you have in place, your budget, the size of your home, and the climate or region your property is in. Not all roof materials are suitable or compatible with every home in existence, which is why it is wise to become familiar with various popular roofing materials and styles before you settle on a choice that is optimal for your home.
Are You Licensed and Certified?
Shopping around for new roof replacements or even residential reroofing services requires the ability to verify licensing and certifications. For homeowners who are interested in hiring companies or contractors to work in or around their homes, licensing and valid certifications are paramount. Anytime you want to hire commercial professionals, crews, or an entire company to aid you with your reroofing needs, you’ll need to validate any licensing and certifications that are presented to you before signing work agreements or binding contracts.
Licensing and certifications are integral components of hiring contractors or even well-known companies. Service providers that are unlicensed and without certifications pose an inherent risk to homeowners and those hiring them. Choosing to hire an unlicensed contractor may force you to assume all legal liabilities associated with the task at hand. Additionally, hiring an unlicensed contractor may also void any warranty you are presented with, depending on the state you’re located in and the extent of the service agreement you’ve signed.
Are You Insured?
Along with asking about licensing and certifications, it’s imperative to inquire about insurance when you’re in the market for any roof maintenance or, in some cases, even extensive reroofing services. Insurance is arguably one of the most important aspects of investing in your home’s roof, regardless of its size and the original materials in place. Hiring someone who is not insured is not only placing legal liabilities and responsibilities on your shoulders, but it is also putting you at risk of being held liable for potential accidents, falls, and injuries that may occur or be sustained while someone is working on the job.
If you hire someone who is not insured or is underinsured, you will be significantly increasing your own risk in terms of your investment as a homeowner. When a contractor or company is underinsured or not properly insured whatsoever, they are not likely permitted to offer the services they are providing to clients, including yourself. Even when you’re presented with licensing and insurance, you still must take additional time to verify the authenticity of any documentation that has been given to you before you opt to move ahead with your next roofing renovation or remodeling project.
Do You Have References?
While this may seem basic and redundant, asking for references is a question that should not be left out. References can help significantly whenever you’re searching for roofing repair services or when you’re thinking of completing various home renovations, big or small. When you are new to a neighborhood, or you’re thinking of investing a significant amount of money in a project, you’ll want to verify that the individual(s) you intend to hire is truly a good fit for the project.
If you’re meeting with a local roofing company or service provider near you, it’s likely easiest to ask for references as you are getting to know one another in person. As you are interviewing a roofing crew or contractor, inquire about references directly. Those who are established with a positive and professional reputation will likely be more than willing and excited to showcase a list of references they have acquired to their name. Even if you do not meet with a particular contractor or local roofing company in person for a quote or a meeting ahead of time, you may also have the ability to find the references you’re seeking online, depending on the type of online presence the contractor or roofing company has set up at the time.
Can I Review Your Portfolio?
Whether you’re meeting with a roof replacement company or chatting with roofing contractors over the phone about the work you’d like to have done, you should always inquire about portfolios that are available to be reviewed. Asking to review the portfolio of any contractor is a must when you’re having work done around the home, especially when the project involves an expensive asset, such as a roof. When you’re thinking of investing in reroofing services, but want to go with a name or individual you can trust, a solid portfolio can help put your worries and fears to rest.
Do You Have a Website or Online Presence?
Asking if a contractor or company has an official website or a social media presence online is also always recommended, especially for homeowners who are new to a particular town or region. If you’re seeking more information on specific companies, there is often no better place to do so than online, especially with access to free search engines and social networks that are populated with billions of users. An online presence doesn’t just inform you that a company or brand takes itself seriously, but that it’s also committed to keeping up with the latest and greatest technologies in the roofing industry.
A website or online presence will provide valuable insight into the type of work a contractor or company provides in one centralized, easy-to-access location. With an official website, you can easily browse through numerous photos and uploaded videos to compare past projects that have been completed by professional contractors or well-known companies that currently exist in your town or city. An online presence for a business can also make it a bit easier for you to place your budget and trust in the hands of strangers, especially when you’re in the market for expensive roof repairs or new gutters.
You can also use an official website or the presence of a brand online to find reviews. Compare reviews and testimonials from real clients and customers before choosing who you’ll hire for your own home’s roof. Use portfolios to find a provider who understands exactly what you need.
What Type of Guarantee Do You Offer?
If you’re determined to complete the reroofing services you need for your home this year, you’ll also want to ask about warranties and guarantees you’ll be offered and provided when signing a work contract with the provider or contractor of your choice. Most professional roofing contractors and local contracting companies today offer work guarantees that will protect your initial investment from shoddy craftsmanship or issues with the final outcome of the job. Anytime you’re thinking of investing a major amount of money in your home’s roof, you need to verify that the guarantee you’re presented with is not only fair to you, but also legally binding, based on the contract you’re given and your current location.
How Long Is My Warranty Valid?
If you’re offered a warranty from a local contractor or roofing company you’re hiring to update and renovate your roof, you’ll need to ask about the length of duration of the actual warranty itself. Not all warranties and work agreements are drafted and created equally. If you are unable to interpret the language utilized in the work warranty or contract you’ve been given, you may also want to turn to a professional attorney or legal counsel to help navigate the particular situation at hand.
Without a warranty in place, you’re running the risk of losing out on your entire investment if the roof is installed improperly or if the roof is simply not offering the protection you were told you would receive. Always thoroughly read and review any contractual agreements, guarantees, or work warranties you are given as a client before determining if you will be signing them and allowing your chosen contractor or company to work on your roof. The more involved you are with the process of hiring a company or contractor, the less likely you are to feel caught off-guard should anything go wrong once the roofing work is complete.
Anytime you’re searching for professional residential reroofing services, taking a bit of time to compare contractors and ask the right questions can make all the difference. The more informed you are about the process of obtaining reroofing services or even installing a brand-new roof altogether, the easier it’ll be for you to hire a company or contractor you can rely on once the time for a replacement arrives. When you know what to expect once you’ve made the decision to reroof your garage, you can move forward with your next home renovation project knowing you’re making the right choice every step of the way.