Take a look at this list before choosing a roofing contractor to work on your home!
It’s obvious when you need a roofing contractor–if there’s a hole in your roof caused by wind or falling trees or a severe leaking issue.
Other times, when a roof is older and might need some shingles replaced, a roofing contractor can help protect your home from the elements.
Roofing contractors can install a new roof, repair existing roofs, and provide guidance regarding continued maintenance.
This article will outline the process of choosing a roofing contractor, giving you a handy guide of things to look for during your search!
If your roof needs work.
When your roof needs work done, regardless of the extent of the damage or toll time has taken on the structure, you want the best person for the job.
This sentiment seems obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. There is a distinct lack of guidance about choosing the best roofing contractor for the job.
A quick Google search will bring up many options. Pages worth of options. How do you sort through and find the best candidate?
3 essential qualities your roofing contractor must possess.
Assuming you have been able to narrow down your selection, there three things to look for from your list of potential candidates:
- Do they perform insurance repair?
- How much experience do they have?
- What are their manufacturer designations?
Let’s take a look at each of these questions.
Insurance repair.
A roofing contractor that performs insurance repair deals with the insurance company directly, saving you the hassle of documenting the process and worrying about the claims.
Ideally, your chosen roofing contractor has experience navigating the process of dealing with insurance.
Insurance repair mainly applies to roof replacements after a disaster, such as wind or storm damage. Still, a roofing contractor that can perform this service is a positive indicator of their quality. Insurance companies don’t deal with just anyone off the streets!
Experience.
A roofing contractor with experience will be able to show you past jobs they have completed, giving you a sense of the quality of their work and expertise.
Most roofing contractors will list their years of experience on their website. For example, Revere Construction and Roofing (RCR) has over 25 years of experience serving the greater Atlanta area.
A roofing contractor with experience will know the needs of your particular situation, providing invaluable information about what your roof needs based on what they’ve seen in the past.
Manufacturer designations.
Manufacturer designations are factory certifications handed down by the manufacturer that says the roofing contractor has met minimum standard requirements. Manufacturers vary in the stringency of these requirements.
RCR is licensed and certified to work with CertainTeed and GAF, two well-known manufacturers of roofing materials known for the quality of their certifications.
Take a look at the material certifications your chosen roofing contractor lists on their website. Ask for documentation if you need further peace of mind.
How do I find a good roofing contractor?
Finding a good roofing contractor comes down to gathering several potential contractors and sorting through the ones you deem most worthy of consideration.
The best way to find roofing contractors to investigate further is by asking your friends and colleagues for recommendations. Their quality experience is a strong signal that you will receive the same quality work. Google can also provide an initial list.
Once you have some potential candidates, use the above list to determine which are worth calling.
Should I tip roofers?
Tipping roofers isn’t standard practice. It’s not required or expected.
However, if you feel the workers have done a stellar job and want to show your appreciation, $10-$20 dollars per worker is appropriate. Hand the bills to each person individually.
What’s the best time of year to replace a roof?
The best time of year to replace a roof is late spring and early summer. The weather hasn’t yet gotten too hot during this time, and the seasonal rains have died down.
A second strong candidate is early autumn before the weather turns cold.
The most important thing is to avoid rain and moisture. It’s possible to fix roofs in the heat of summer, but the heat makes working with the materials more difficult.
Roofing contractors can also work in winter in case of emergencies. Nobody expects a home to stay exposed to the elements until favorable weather conditions!
Next steps.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of candidates, taking into account the above list of things to look for, get in touch with them and schedule estimates. Getting these estimates will provide you the chance to meet the roofing contractors performing the work.
These estimates should be free. There’s no reason to pay for work not completed.
If one of the estimates varies widely from the others, reach out and inquire why. Sometimes roofing contractors include different items in their calculations, so it’s best to compare apples to apples before making your final decision.
Finding your perfect roofing contractor.
A quality roofing contractor will have a seamless process, making you feel secure each step of the way. They won’t be upset with questions and will gladly provide evidence of their experience and certifications.
A roofing professional who can navigate the process of insurance claims is worth keeping at the top of the list because they have experience with companies who check their work each step of the way.
Revere Construction and Roofing services the Atlanta, GA area and surrounding suburbs. If you would like a free estimate, reach out via our contact page! We look forward to hearing from you.
