7 Questions to Ask Your Potential Roofing Contractor
1. Is the company local?
Before you hire a roofer, determine whether or not the contractor has a physical presence in the Anchorage / Matsu area. If a post office box is provided, ask for the full physical address. Always hire a contractor with an office nearby for more responsive service, both before and after the roof is installed.
2. Does the company carry all the appropriate insurance policies?
A responsible roofing contractor will carry both comprehensive liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a roofing accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor's certificates of insurance. Let the contractor know you want current certificates provided to you prior to the job starting.
Be aware that if an uninsured worker is injured on a property, the homeowner will likely be held liable for all costs involved with the accident. Uninsured contractors will most likely be less expensive than a reputable contractor because they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Insurance premiums can increase wage costs by more than 20 percent, depending on the state.
3. Is the company a licensed and/or credentialed contractor?
When you pose this question, you are asking, in effect, if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city. Not all states require contractors to be licensed, so check with your licensing authority for details. A contractor may answer that they have a business license, but this is a tax requirement, and not relevant to the contractor's competence.
Most major roofing manufacturers offer a variety of programs to professional contractors that establish their credentials as a knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view a contractor's credentials as another indicator of their degree of competence, professionalism and dedication to the roofing trade.
4. How long has the company been in business?
Needless to say, longer is usually better. Most roofing companies fail within the first 3 5 years, so a short business life may signal an un-established business that is low on the learning curve of the important details necessary to install a roof that will perform well over time. On the other hand, everyone has to start some time! References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a bright future, but it is only reasonable to be more cautious when considering its referrals.
5. Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs?
A company that has a positive track record will always be happy to share that with you by providing references of successful past work that has created satisfied customers. Request a list of 5 6 names and phone numbers of recent customers. It is not necessary to contact all of them, but you will be able to pick randomly from those names provided to gain feedback on the contractor's past performance.
6. What is the company's workmanship warranty?
Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. And while longer warranties are generally preferable, it is important to gauge the intent and the ability of the roofer to stand behind their warranty. References are a great way to gauge the contractor's responsiveness to workmanship issues. While contractors warrant their workmanship, manufacturers warrant their products against defects. Thus, the two warranties combined will cover the roof installation. Ask for a copy of the contractor's workmanship warranty, and the manufacturer's warranty specific to the product being installed to fully understand the coverage being provided.
7. What is the company's record for resolving customer complaints?
No matter how qualified a contractor may be, and how good their performance record is, there will always be times where justified customer complaints are received. Ask the contractor if they have ever lost a job-related court case, or if their license has ever been suspended, and why.
Also, in talking with appropriate authorities such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor(s)whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, and judge the contractor on their actions in the resolution process.
2. Does the company carry all the appropriate insurance policies?
A responsible roofing contractor will carry both comprehensive liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a roofing accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor's certificates of insurance. Let the contractor know you want current certificates provided to you prior to the job starting.
Be aware that if an uninsured worker is injured on a property, the homeowner will likely be held liable for all costs involved with the accident. Uninsured contractors will most likely be less expensive than a reputable contractor because they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Insurance premiums can increase wage costs by more than 20 percent, depending on the state.
3. Is the company a licensed and/or credentialed contractor?
When you pose this question, you are asking, in effect, if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city. Not all states require contractors to be licensed, so check with your licensing authority for details. A contractor may answer that they have a business license, but this is a tax requirement, and not relevant to the contractor's competence.
Most major roofing manufacturers offer a variety of programs to professional contractors that establish their credentials as a knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view a contractor's credentials as another indicator of their degree of competence, professionalism and dedication to the roofing trade.
4. How long has the company been in business?
Needless to say, longer is usually better. Most roofing companies fail within the first 3 5 years, so a short business life may signal an un-established business that is low on the learning curve of the important details necessary to install a roof that will perform well over time. On the other hand, everyone has to start some time! References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a bright future, but it is only reasonable to be more cautious when considering its referrals.
5. Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs?
A company that has a positive track record will always be happy to share that with you by providing references of successful past work that has created satisfied customers. Request a list of 5 6 names and phone numbers of recent customers. It is not necessary to contact all of them, but you will be able to pick randomly from those names provided to gain feedback on the contractor's past performance.
6. What is the company's workmanship warranty?
Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. And while longer warranties are generally preferable, it is important to gauge the intent and the ability of the roofer to stand behind their warranty. References are a great way to gauge the contractor's responsiveness to workmanship issues. While contractors warrant their workmanship, manufacturers warrant their products against defects. Thus, the two warranties combined will cover the roof installation. Ask for a copy of the contractor's workmanship warranty, and the manufacturer's warranty specific to the product being installed to fully understand the coverage being provided.
7. What is the company's record for resolving customer complaints?
No matter how qualified a contractor may be, and how good their performance record is, there will always be times where justified customer complaints are received. Ask the contractor if they have ever lost a job-related court case, or if their license has ever been suspended, and why.
Also, in talking with appropriate authorities such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor(s)whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, and judge the contractor on their actions in the resolution process.