Replacing a roof can be a daunting experience and since it’s something you don’t do often, you may be wondering what you should ask your future roofing contractor. It’s no secret that we live in a world of get-rich schemes and fly-by-night businesses that are only in it for the money. To help you decide what contractor to go with, we have compiled a list of questions you should ask.
Remember you do not have to use the first contractor that you call. We tell our clients to call around and get quotes and estimates. When getting these estimates, you should remember that it’s more than just the dollar amount. Below we are going to go over common questions we are asked that you should ask too.
Tell Me About Your Roofing Business.
When looking for a contractor the first thing you should do is vet your local companies. Living in the south, we get a lot of pop-up contractors that are either not local or local guys trying to make a quick buck. Don’t be afraid to ask your roofer about their company. Make sure he is local and will be here after the job is done.
Make sure you’re asking questions like:
- “How long have you been in business?”
- “How long have you lived here?”
- “Are you licensed and insured?”
These are all important questions to know about a company working on such a costly project. Some companies will even have this information listed on their website. We also recommend that you check the Better Business Bureau website for information on your contractor.
What Does Your Process Look Like?
This is an important question because while you want and need a roof repair or roof replacement, you need to know what to expect. Once our clients receive their inspection, they are emailed, or hand-delivered their roofing estimate.
After reviewing their estimates, we help clients reach out to their insurance companies or help them with financing options. From here our clients sign a contract with us and we order your roofing material. A team member will contact our clients and let them know of their expected delivery date of materials and what to expect next. When our QC team confirms your material has been delivered our roofing team schedules your project.
Your inspector will contact you the day before to let you know what time our team will arrive and ask if you have any questions or concerns. When your roofing project is done, we will send back out your inspector for a final inspection. Once your roofing inspection is complete, we send out your final invoice.
Is this Covered Under My Insurance?
Believe it or not, we don’t always get asked this question. We actually have to bring it up to clients. Sometimes, insurance won’t cover your repair or replacement, but you should always talk to your roofing inspector.
If the person looking at your roof doesn’t know much about insurance claims, this is something we recommend you consider before using a company. When you’re going through an insurance claim you want to use a company that has fought an insurance company before and knows the ins and outs and can help get you the most assistance possible.
Our employees are trained to make sure we are doing the best we can to help you work with your insurance company. We understand that this is a huge expense that a lot of times, we are not ready for. It’s always nice to have someone working for you to help get you the most.
What Material Will You Use?
Never sign a contract without knowing what you’re paying for. Make sure you know what products your roofer will be using. Make sure that they are replacing any damaged sheathing, or other roofing accessories with high-quality materials. You don’t want to use a roofer that cuts corners and reuses faulty products or cheap products that won’t last.
Something else we recommend to our clients is to ask what products they are using. We only use GAF or ATLAS shingles when replacing an asphalt roof. When working with metal roofing we use Horizon-Loc for a clean smooth look.
What Steps Will You Take to Protect My Family and Home?
This is a very important question to ask your roofer. Believe it or not, a lot of companies will show up to do the job and not worry about the aftermath… your garden, siding, or windows.
We are not that company. At 7:30 in the morning when our crew shows up. Two things happen, our catch-all system goes up and tarps go down. This helps limit the debris that falls on your house and it also helps us with cleaning up afterward. By doing this we don’t have to worry about as many nails getting on your ground.
When your job is done our team, inspector, and sometimes a third person will walk your yard around your home with a magnet to pick up stray nails that can sometimes get away from us. We may not catch them all, but we try our best to.
How Long Will My Project Take to Complete?
Another important question to ask is, how long will my project take? You don’t want to save money only to realize your contractor is taking weeks or months to complete the job. Roofing jobs are messy, and we understand you have a life to get back to.
This is why we try to get our roofing jobs down to 1 to 3 days from your scheduled installation day. This is largely determined by the size of the roof, and the weather conditions we are having.
Do You Have a Picture or a List of Jobs I Can See?
If a contractor hasn’t shown you or offered to show you their work, always ask! Check your contractor’s reviews and pictures of their work. If they do not have any, ask them for past customers you can call to speak to about their roofing project. You can check out our project gallery on our website by clicking here.
Do You Offer a Roofing Warranty?
A warranty is very important to have. Besides our 3-year Workmanship Warranty, all of our products come with a manufacturer warranty, and we offer Roof Protect Maintenance to our customers. This program helps increase the longevity of your roof by keeping it inspected, checking seals, and keeping it clean.
Don’t Forget… This is YOUR Roof
You should always remember that this is your roofing project. If you are made to feel uncomfortable by a contractor, you do not have to use them. We are fairly certain that if you ask these questions, you will find the perfect contractor for your project. One that will fit in your budget but also be able to do your job right. If you are looking for a roof and live in Southeast Louisiana or on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We would love to take a look at your project. Message us today for your free inspection.
