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Choosing a Contractor
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If you're in the market for a new roof or just need
some repairs, RoofHelp.com can help you find a professional for the job.
Click here to visit RoofHelp's
Contractor Database!
Click here for some helpful tips
on Managing Your Project.
Are you from
California? Do you want to check the status of a roofing contractor's
license or just see if his license is legitimate? Click
here. |
Whether you
choose to have RoofHelp.com help you pick a qualified professional or locate
a contractor on your own, the following checklist will help you.
- Is the contractor licensed?
Some states don't require roofing contractors to be licensed. Visit
https://www.roofhelp.com/state_licensing_requirements.htm
to see if your state requires it.
California Residents, go here to check and make sure your
roofing contractor's license is valid. Click on the "License Status
Check" link on the right.
- Does the contractor have
liability and workers’ compensation insurance? If so, how much? The
contractor can easily provide this information by obtaining a
Certificate of Insurance from his insurance company should you choose to
request it. If the contractor doesn't
have insurance, you can be liable if any of his workers are hurt on your
property!
- Does the contractor have a
reputation for quality? Most contractors will readily provide you with a
list of references. It is recommended that these referenced
projects
be a minimum of three (3) years old. Keep in mind, though, that there
are a lot of contractors who are just starting out that will install a
new roof as good or better than contractors who have been in business
for many years. A quick call to the Better Business Bureau may also help
in determining if contractors have had any complaints registered against
them.
- Is the contractor willing to
provide you with a good workmanship warranty? This warranty should
protect against any defects in the roof and should last a minimum of
three years. Some contractors will
readily provide a five (5) year warranty on complete tear-off projects.
- Does the contractor provide you
with a copy of the roofing material manufacturer’s warranty and
thoroughly explain it? Are defective materials going to be replaced at
the original purchasing price or are they prorated? Will labor be an
additional cost?
- Does the contractor thoroughly
inspect your roof and then explain his findings? A good contractor will
inspect anything that could cause leaks whether it is roof related or
not (for instance, chimney defects, air conditioning units, fans, walls, etc).
- Does the contractor provide a
written estimate? Does the estimate include:
- A detailed description of the
work that is contracted?
- Additional work that may have
to be done and give a price for such? For instance,
deck replacement, gutter repair/replacement, etc.?
- Application of underlayment
over wood decks?
- Application of an ice and water
protection membrane in areas where the average January temperature
is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less?
- Clean up of all debris
generated from the project?
- All permits necessary?
- Warranty information?
- Does the contractor explain
tearing off versus laying over the existing roof?
- Is the contractor going to use
four (4) fasteners per shingle? Six (6) per shingle in areas where there
is frequent high wind?
- Does the contractor have a pager
or cellular number in case of an emergency?
Will he be available on weekends?
- Is the contractor going to
supervise the different phases of the project and provide a final
inspection?
- Find out if the contractor is
going to hire a subcontractor. If he is, then the subcontractor needs to
meet all the same criteria that the contractor does.
- You may want to require a lien
release from all parties before final payment is made. These include
material suppliers, subcontractors, etc.
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