When the time comes to get a new roof, it may be tempting to hire the first roofer you find. However, Jackson Contracting, Inc. – Carmel reminds you that a roof should not be taken lightly. Not only will it imply a significant investment, but it will also be something that will be a part of your home for many years to come. The materials you select now and the professionals who do the installation will play a vital role in how satisfied you are with the new roof and how long it will last. Before rushing to hire a roofing contractor that may not have the experience you need for the type of roof you want, take the time to talk to them and ask them these important questions. It may make a much greater difference in the end result than you imagine.
1. Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Having a contractor with the required licenses and certifications can give you peace of mind. After all, you will be entrusting them with the safety of your loved ones and the integrity of your home. You never want to bring someone to your home who can put the dwellers at risk.
2. How Long Have You Been in Business?
The longer a contractor has been in business, the more dependable you can expect them to be. You do not want to entrust such an important project to someone just starting out or someone who has never installed the type of roof you need.
3. Do You Have Any References?
A reliable contractor will have references you can contact and roofs you can see. If the roofing contractor is able to provide you with the names and contact information of previous clients, reach out to them and get their impressions on the quality of the work performed and how well they stuck to the promised timeline.
A contractor that is reluctant to provide you with this information is a red flag, and you may be better off looking elsewhere. You may also check the Better Business Bureau or Google for insight into the company. Both good and bad reviews can be helpful when making a decision.
4. How Long Will the Project Take?
Besides getting an accurate estimate for the job, your next concern should be how long the project will take. You may need to plan your schedule and that of your loved ones around it. You may be surprised to discover that a project as massive as installing a new roof can be completed in just a couple of days, and your contractor may even answer this question without you having to ask.
5. What Type of Materials Do You Use?
It is expected that you and your roofing contractor will discuss the type of material you want for the roof, particularly with the ample variety of roofing materials in the market these days. You will want a roofing material that will go well with the architectural style of your home and your budget. However, once that has been decided, you will also want to know the quality of the venting, underlayment, and anything else that will be installed on your roof. Confirm that their suppliers adhere to the highest quality in the industry.
6. Do You Do All the Work Yourself, or Do You Use Subcontractors?
Your roofing contractor may have a set method to carry out the job, and that is fine as long as the subcontractors they use also carry insurance and are licensed to do the work. Your roofing contractor should be able to clearly explain why the subcontractors are needed and what each one will be doing.
7. How Will My Lawn Be Protected?
You do not want your landscaping and lawn to look worse when the roofing project is finished than before it began. Ask your roofing contractor what measures they will take to ensure the outside of your home is not damaged. The contractor may designate foot traffic paths to avoid the crew stepping on your landscaping. They may also ask you to move your cars out of the way so that they can use your driveway to park equipment and not have to park on the grass.
Confirm that any debris that falls off the roof while they are working will be picked up and that everything will be left as clean as they found it before starting the work.
8. Do You Remove All Scrap Material?
You may be getting a brand new roof in a new home, or swapping out a roof that has reached the end of its life. If this is the case, there will be quite a bit of material that will need to be disposed of. Make sure that the roofing contractor will remove everything before leaving your property. Ask them if the cost for removal is included in their bid. You do not want surprises at the end.
9. How Should I Prepare for The Project?
Not only do your landscaping and lawn need protection during the project, but you also want your family and pets to be safe while the roof is installed. You can expect the job to be loud with banging and hammering, which may disturb both children and pets. You may want to make plans to be away from home as much as possible during the roof installation or even plan a short vacation.
You should also be a good neighbor and let them know that equipment, dirt, and workers will be around. If you have items in your attic that could break if there is a lot of banging, move them to a safe place, and you may even want to remove valuable paintings from the wall so that they don’t get damaged. Also, park your cars away from the job site to be able to drive away without equipment having to be moved and to keep them from getting damaged by falling debris.
10. Do You Offer a Warranty for the Work You Do?
A roof is a large and important part of any home. It will not only be a considerable investment but will be a part of the home for many years to come. That is why it is important to get the right team of people to do the installation. You may worry that they will show up on time every day and that the project will be finished according to the agreed-upon timeline. However, once everything is finished and the roofers have left your property, you still want to feel protected. Ask your roofing contractor whether they offer a warranty and for how long.
Generally, roof warranties last a year, although some roofers may offer longer ones. Also, you may have a warranty offered by the manufacturer of the roofing material ,so get a clear explanation of which warranties cover what. Your roofer may offer you an extended warranty at a cost. Think about the benefits of such an extension before agreeing to pay for it.
