How to Choose a Roofing Contractor
Most of what separates a good roofing job from a bad one is decided before anyone gets on the roof. This page covers what to ask, what a clear estimate contains, and the answers worth paying attention to. Roof Home Experts does not vet or endorse contractors, so these are questions for you to ask.
Licensing and insurance
Requirements differ by state and sometimes by municipality, so the first question is what applies where you live. Ask to see current proof of both licensing and insurance rather than taking the answer on trust, and check the dates. Insurance matters for a specific reason: if someone is hurt on your property and the contractor is not carrying cover, that can become your problem. This is a short conversation and a contractor used to being asked will not mind it.
The two different warranties
There are usually two, and they cover different things. The manufacturer's warranty covers the shingles themselves against defects. The workmanship warranty covers the installation, which is where most roofing problems actually come from. A long manufacturer's warranty tells you very little about the quality of the work. Ask specifically what the workmanship warranty covers, how long it runs, and what happens to it if the company is no longer trading.
Who actually does the work
Some companies employ their crews and some subcontract. Neither is automatically worse, but you should know which, because it affects who is accountable if something goes wrong and who the warranty is actually with. It is worth asking who will be on the roof, whether there will be a supervisor on site, and who to contact on the day if there is a problem. Vague answers to those questions are themselves an answer.
What a detailed scope includes
A clear estimate says what is being done, not just what it costs. Tear off or overlay. What underlayment and ice barrier are being used. Whether the flashing is being replaced or reused. What happens if damaged decking is found, and at what rate. What is being done about ventilation. How long the job will take and how the site will be left. An estimate that is a single number tells you nothing you can compare against another estimate.
How payment is usually structured
A deposit followed by payment on completion is normal. Being asked for the full amount before any work happens is not. It is worth agreeing in advance what triggers the final payment, and worth being clear about how any additional work, such as replacing damaged decking, gets approved before it is carried out rather than appearing on the final bill. Getting that straight at the start prevents most disputes.
Questions worth asking
How long have you been working in this area. Can I see proof of licensing and insurance. Is this a tear off or an overlay. What is the per sheet rate if the decking is damaged. What does the workmanship warranty cover and for how long. Who will be on the roof and will there be a supervisor. How is the site protected and cleaned up. How is additional work approved. None of these are difficult questions, and how readily they are answered tells you as much as the answers.
FAQ
Common questions
What should a roofing estimate actually include?
Whether it is a tear off or an overlay, the materials including underlayment and ice barrier, whether flashing is being replaced or reused, what happens if damaged decking is found and at what rate, what is being done about ventilation, the expected timeline, and how the site will be cleaned up.
What is the difference between the two warranties?
The manufacturer's warranty covers the shingles against defects. The workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. Most roofing problems come from installation rather than materials, so the workmanship warranty is usually the more important of the two to understand.
Should I be worried if a contractor subcontracts the work?
Not automatically, but you should know. It affects who is accountable if something goes wrong and who the warranty sits with. Asking who will be on the roof and whether a supervisor will be on site is reasonable, and a clear answer is a good sign.
How much deposit is normal?
A deposit followed by payment on completion is the usual arrangement. Being asked for the full cost before any work is done is not normal. It is also worth agreeing what has to be finished before the final payment is due.
Does Roof Home Experts check or approve contractors?
No. Roof Home Experts does not verify, vet, screen, license check or endorse any contractor. It connects a homeowner with one local roofing company, and the homeowner decides for themselves whether to go ahead. The questions on this page are there for exactly that reason.
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