How Can I Tell Who Is a Qualified
Roofing Contractor?
Most homeowners begin with a list that includes two to five roofing contractors. They then meet with two to three before finalizing their decision about who they want to hire.
You can start your search for qualified roofing contractors online or ask friends and family for recommendations. However, this may not provide all the information that you need to determine who is qualified.
It is dangerous to rely on gut feelings or recommendations for your contractor’s recommendation. Here are 13 questions you can ask to narrow down your choices and find the right roofing contractor for your project.
- Are you covered for accidental damage? Reggie Reed Roofing has Preferred Contractors that have at least $1,000,000 of general liability insurance.
- Are you able to provide additional warranty* or workmanship** coverage? A roofing contractor should be able to offer a limited warranty, which may include workmanship coverage.
- Can you explain my warranty? Your roofer should explain the warranty and tell you who to contact if there is a problem. Learn if defective shingles can be replaced at a prorated cost, original cost, or if additional labor costs are added.
- What roofing materials should you use for my roof? There are many roofing products available, so make sure you choose a trusted roofer.
- Can you give me a written estimate? A roofing contractor should provide an estimate which includes a detailed description of the work and any work that will need to be sub-contracted out.
- Are you in compliance with all local building codes and codes? Your roofer must be familiar with and adhere to all local building codes.
- Please give me a list with references. Call a few references.
- Do you conduct a thorough inspection? Your roofing contractor should inspect the entire roofing system including the deck, attic flashing, chimney, and soil stacks.
- Are you able to check for proper ventilation? Your roofer must inspect the attic and explain what is important. Proper ventilation To determine if your roof is properly ventilated, you should inspect it from the inside. Incorrect ventilation can cause damage to your shingles and invalidate the warranty.
- Will you use synthetic underlayment? Roofers can install either felt or synthetic underlayment to protect your roof deck. You should ensure that your contractor uses a synthetic product to protect against water absorption, mold, and leaks.
- Do you plan to install water and ice barriers? You may need additional ice or water barriers between the shingles, the wood deck, and depending on the conditions, they might be required to prevent ice damming, wind-driven rain, and collected water.
- Are you going to follow the manufacturer’s instructions? Because of the possibility of voiding your warranty, it is important that your roofer be familiar with all specifications.
- Can you give me a detailed explanation of my roofing system? So you can make informed decisions, your roofer must explain the whole roofing system.
This post was written by Reggie Reed! Reggie is a state-certified roofing contractor and co-owner of Reggie Reed Roofing, the best Pinellas County roofing company. He is a 4th generation roofing contractor. RR Roofing offers a wide variety of roofing services for residential homes, apartment complexes, condos, commercial buildings, churches, and more. Reggie enjoys dedicating his spare time to helping underprivileged youth in his community and traveling with his family and friends.