How To Locate A Good Roofing Contractor In Your Area
How To Locate A Good Roofing Contractor In Your Area
Blog Article
Evaluating the Field of Roofing Contractor Choices
Choosing the right roofing contractor is an important step in protecting your home investment. A quality contractor can ensure that your roof is installed professionally, within a reasonable timeframe and at a fair price.
The wrong contractor can sabotage your property, provide poor installation, or even scam you. The key to making a smart decision is diligent research and comparing multiple choices.
Experience
A roofing contractor should have adequate experience in roof installation, maintenance, and repair. They should also have a strong grasp of business basics and industry trends to manage projects effectively. This includes having good estimation skills to provide clients with accurate project quotes, managing expenses and invoicing properly, and maintaining quality work. Those with these skills and a commitment to ongoing professional development can build a successful career in the field of roofing.
Those with an associate degree or higher in roofing or construction may qualify for entry-level positions at some companies.
Reputation
Regardless of how long they’ve been in business, a roofing contractor’s reputation is one of the most important aspects you should evaluate to find the right choice. This can be done by reading reviews from past customers, running a business license verification (if you live in an area that requires it) and checking the company’s BBB rating. A good reputation can be earned, but it takes time and consistency to build. A new roof is a big investment and you want to make sure the contractor you hire has a solid track record. You should also be confident they’ll be around to honor any guarantees in the future.
License
A license doesn’t necessarily mean a contractor is better than one without, but it can help you weed out the ones that don’t have the right qualifications. For example, a roofer with a roofing license in Massachusetts must have passed a standardized exam and have extensive experience with roofing.
This CSL also requires submitting documents like W-2s and letters from previous employers. You must pay a fee to obtain your license and another $100 every three years to renew it. Those who have a general contractor license may do more than roofing but will have to pass roofing contractors forms an additional test and provide other documentation to get a roofing permit.
This is important to note because the skill sets required for roofing work vary greatly from state to state. Some states have more populated cities while others are rural farmland. This can make it much more difficult for newcomers to get into the trades if they aren’t licensed.
Insurance
Roofing is an industry unique in that it requires many different kinds of insurance coverage. It is a smart choice to discuss your coverage needs and options with an experienced insurance professional. Some policies, such as commercial general liability, can cover accidents, property damage, bodily injury and legal costs. Your insurance rates will depend on your coverage needs and other pricing factors such as the number of employees and past claims history. It is also a good idea to carry commercial auto insurance because you will use your work vehicles for business. You should also consider getting a surety bond and workers compensation.