How Will You Seal Off The Pipe Boot
Another area thats often overlooked is the pipe boot, where vent stacks emerge from the roof. Kreitzer says this is a special area of concern. Most pipe boot manufacturers dont offer a warranty, he said.
Kreitzer says that makes it doubly important to make sure the pipe boot is sealed correctly, with ice and water protectors installed around them, because if theyre not it can lead to significant damage.
Lastly, you can finish with some questions about how your roofer handles weather and payment.
Vital Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Roofing Contractor
Nov 12, 2019 | Roofing
Youve been putting it off for what feels like forever, but the constant drips, uneven temperatures, and high energy bills can mean only one thing.
The signs are all there that its time for you to either repair or replace your commercial roof.
If you live in and around the Boise, Idaho area, we know you have lots of options when it comes to hiring a roofing contractor. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers or simply shoddy and inexperienced roofers out there.
Many of them have no idea what theyre doing, and will only cause further damage to your home while making sure they charge you double or even triple the price of what the service should cost.
We know you want to avoid that.
So, weve compiled this list of the most important questions to ask a roofer before you hire them.
Contents
Read on to get informed and to learn how to make the right choice.
Question #: What Level Of Roofing Insurance Do You Have
Roofing insurance can get tricky as many states may require different levels of insurance depending on what type of contractor you are.
In Massachusetts roofing contractors are required to have at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance in order to legally operate in the state. Rhode Islands general liability requirements for remodeling contractors are half
To figure out what level of insurance is needed in your state, head over to Google, type in roofing insurance requirements, then choose a result from your states official website. Youll want a .gov website to be certain, not a .com or net. Using Massachusetts as an example, the site is mass.gov.
Answers you can accept:
- An exact match, or an amount exceeding the minimum state requirements
- A copy of the companys liability policy sent via email after the phone call
Dont accept answers that are indecisive, hesitant, or dont match local, state, and/or federal requirements. Even if the company doesnt have insurance, its easy to answer yes, we have insurance. Giving an exact amount is harder, which is why we recommend asking this way.
If a roofer is hesitant over the phone when you ask this question, it is a red flag, but they may not be lying. If so, you dont need to rule them out right away. Just ask for them to email you a copy of their insurance liability policy.
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Will Your Roofer Use Steel In The Valleys Or Weave The Shingles
If your roofer says theyll weave your shingles without installing metal underneath, you should take that as a red flag. Woven valleys are cheaper and easier for roofers to install, but they leave homeowners at a disadvantage. Theyre more vulnerable to premature wear-and-tear as the granules on the shingles are prone to wearing faster. Metal valleys are more durable, last longer, and look better.
Whats Their Workmanship Warranty
While the manufacturer of roofing materials typically offers a warranty on their products, the roofing contractor will typically offer its own warranty on workmanship. You might purchase a shingle thats warrantied for 20 years, but the contractors workmanship warranty is only one year.
Plus, the manufacturers warranty is only valid if the materials were installed according to the manufacturers specifications. If youre working with a new or inexperienced roofing contractor, will they install according to manufacturers specifications and will they be around when you have problems?
Make sure youre protecting your investment by asking about their warranty.
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How Long Have You Been In Business
How they answer will tell you a lot about the company. If theyve been in business for 30 years as a family business, theyve proven themselves to be experienced & trustworthy in the roofing industry. If its only been 1-2 years, then you will want to do some more due diligence. Also, ask if theyve changed their name at all. Hiding from past companies is not a good thing.
What If An Issue Comes Up Where A Customer Is Not Satisfied
Dont be uncomfortable to ask this question. Every roofing company should have a standardized procedure for customers to file a complaint, and if worst comes to worst, you need to know that the company is going to handle any disagreements respectfully, professionally, and thoughtfully. If you know the proper procedure and channels to go through, youll be in better shape to be able to make your dissatisfaction known in an appropriate and productive way.
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Does The Roofing Company Have A License Bond And Insurance
A valid license is one of the documents a property owner should ask for when considering hiring a roofing company. Possession of this document indicates that the roofer adheres to building codes and has adequate skills and knowledge. A good roofing contractor must also have liability insurance to cover clients in the event of damage. Besides, they should have workmanship compensation insurance to compensate employees in case an accident occurs during installation.
Most states require contractors to have a surety bond to cover their clients financially in various circumstances. Such include when the contractor does not complete the agreed work or fails to get a work permit, and the homeowner has to pay for it. If a contractor has a bond, you can rely on the third-party company to complete the agreed work.
What To Look For In
Once youve looked through several roofers websites, the next step is to call three or four of them for a quote. Its better to call multiple companies so that you can compare them. Your potential roofers will want to come to your roof, inspect it, and then create a detailed quote for you.
Perform research on any company before you let one of their representatives up on your roof, so that you can ensure they have insurance, a license, and the other important things we discussed in the first step. It is unwise to allow a roofer who stops by your door unexpectedly onto your roof. They could be storm-chasers, or unlicensed contractors, who are looking to take advantage of you.
When you meet with one of these roofers that you have chosen in person, you should judge them based on a few different criteria:
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How Long Will The Roofing Project Take
If youre not planning a full roof replacement and only need a few repairs, then the work should only take a few hours. It could take more than a day depending on the amount of work needed to address the damage. A full replacement would take about three days to complete, but this can take longer if youre planning on replacing the fascia boards and gutters as well. Other factors include the size of the roof, the local weather and the number of crew members wholl work on your roof.
Are You Licensed And Insured
Even if you already have homeowners insurance, you need to be aware that it will not offer coverage for everything that you might encounter during a roofing project.
The last thing in the world you want to is to be told that youre financially responsible for any damages the roofers caused to your home and personal property.
You also certainly dont want to end up having to pay for medical bills and face a potential lawsuit if a contractor is injured on the job.
Thats why you must be certain that your roofing contractor has both workers compensation and liability insurance.
Also, work only with a licensed roofing contractor. You should always ask to see a copy of that license and verify that its valid in your state.
The license is far from just a rite of passage.
It makes it clear that the roofers have the proper training, an understanding of building codes, and know all state requirements when it comes to roofing projects.
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Roofing Contractor Question #: May I See Homeowner References
Ask your prospective roofer if you can see references from previous clients. This allows you to better gauge a contractors workmanship through reviews and testimonials. You can ask for a portfolio of their previous work, too.
Its also a good idea to do a little online sleuthing to find out what others are saying about a contractor youre considering. People arent shy about leaving reviews with genuine experiences, so search a companys name to see what comes up. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau.
Is The Company Bonded
A roofing contractor bond is surety & protection against illegal and unwanted actions the company may do as well as full completion of the project. While these differ in every state and may not be necessary, it is something to look into. The bond is insurance for you by a third party that the roofing company performed his services in a satisfactory manner. If not, the bond issuer will provide monetary funds for the failed project.
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Question #: What Is Your Roofing Price Per Square Foot
Like the question above, this question helps uncover unethical, inexperienced, or lazy roofers who are just trying to get your business regardless of the cost.
Asking this question over the phone will save you time by protecting against contractors who race to the bottom based on price alone. These unethical business practices help contractors win jobs in the short term, but ultimately set the roofing business up for failure. In these cases, unexpected costs can ruin profit. And if the contractor fails to make a profit, then its ultimately YOU who pays because they wont be around long enough to honor a warranty.
Roof pricing is complex, especially in the Boston area where Roof Hub is located.
Lots of factors that go into how much your roof will cost, including:
What Are Your Financing Options
Its nice when your homeowners insurance pays for your roof replacement, but its not always possible to get insurance to pay for a roof, leaving you to find a way to pay for it. Most people dont have a roof savings fund just sitting around accumulating money, so when it comes time to pay for your roof, you might be looking for the best option. Not all roofers offer a way for you to finance your roofing job, but the ones who do are going above and beyond to make every effort to win your business and make it easy for you to get the roof that your home needs.
Just like with any financing offer, be sure to read the fine print, understand the terms of the contract, know the interest rate, and be informed in general about whether its a good deal for you. Ask someone you trust, if necessary, to read through the contract with you and see if its a good deal. Compare the roofers financing offer with other options available in the marketplace, such as a bank loan or a home equity line of credit, to see which option offers you the most favorable terms.
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Choices Are Good No One Wants Just One Option But Choices Can Also Be Overwhelming
In Oklahoma alone, there are 260 endorsed commercial roofing companies. So, how do you choose the right one?
This article will walk you through the best 10 questions to ask a roofer before deciding which commercial roofing company to hire. We will tackle each question one-by-one.
Get An Estimate
Are You Licensed And Insured Can I See Proof
The license is the roofers permission to do business, issued by the state or municipality. The insurance is the policy that they carry so that if anything goes wrong, their insurance will pay. Both of these are vitally important for every roofer to carry. You can avoid scams by asking to see proof of the roofers license and insurance, and if they cant give it to you, you do not have to do business with them. The risk to you is too great. What if theyre not a roofing contractor at all? What if theyre not insured, and someone falls from the roof and sues you as the property owner? What if building materials or tools get stolen while the job is in progress? There are too many ways for things to go wrong, and the best way to protect yourself is to make sure that your roofing company carries insurance and holds a valid license.
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How Is Payment Handled
Before you work with a roofer, its wise to know what kind of payment schedule and payment methods they accept. Most roofers will ask you to pay a deposit up-front. Avoid roofers who ask for much larger deposits than their competition.
As you pay your contractor, try to do so in a traceable method and ideally through a credit card. Credit cards are a wise option because you may be able to get your money back if the roofer fails to start or complete the work.
Its a red flag if your roofer will only accept cash. Some roofers will accept credit card payments in person, others will ask you to pay online through their invoicing system. Prior to making payment in full to the roofer, it is prudent to ensure that there are no liens or unexpired lien rights that can be asserted. These rights will vary by jurisdiction.
Will You Check The Condition Of My Decking
The decking is the thin board of wood that makes up the bottom of the roof. Some roofers overlook the decking, adding new shingles on top of it without considering if it has been damaged or how long it will last. Others will look at the decking but may end up needing to add replacement costs to their quote. Its important for you to know that the decking will be checked, and what it could cost if it needs to be replaced. Otherwise you may be surprised by a larger bill than you anticipated.
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Questions To Ask Roofing Contractor
So youre shopping around for a new roof? Apart from the foundation, the roof is probably the most important exterior structure of your home and replacement of it is a major home improvement decision.
When talking to potential roofing companies, there are some questions you will want to have answered before you sign on the dotted line. Its also just a good checklist to have. Below are 25 questions to ask your roofing contractor!
Will You Provide An Estimate
Know whats included in the price before you sign a contract. No matter which of the local roofing contractors you select, get an estimate. Ask for an itemized quote and review all line items.
Find out if the price includes a warranty. New shingles should provide the same 25-year warranty, if not more. Avoid accepting anything less.
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Find A Qualified Roofing Contractor Today
Before getting roofing services, there are many aspects a homeowner should evaluate to ensure that they hire the most suitable candidate. At Absolute Construction, we have accredited and experienced contractors that handle a wide array of roofing projects. These professionals can help you complete any residential or commercial project with quality and durable materials. We also carry general liability insurance to cover our clients and a bond to enhance security. If you are looking for roofing services, contact us today to consult our experts.
Do You Have Workmans Compensation Insurance
Roofing companies should have both workmans compensation and liability insurance, which protects the workers and the homeowner in the event that something goes wrong at the job site. Workers compensation specifically protects any of the roofing companys employees who get injured.
Even with the safest protocols, accidents can happen. Homeowners insurance may not cover a workers medical bills and can leave you paying out of your own pocket. Make sure the roofing crew has their own insurance for your peace of mind.
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It’s Time To Get Your Questions Answered
You are now armed with ten questions that can help you choose a reliable and quality commercial roofing company.
Keep in mind,the cheapest is always not the best.You are repairing or replacing the top 20% of your home or building to protect the other 80%.
Do your homework and research all candidates completely.
