As a homeowner, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll need to get in touch with Portland roofing contractors to determine who should fix or maybe even replace your roof. It’s also in our nature to not have a company front of mind when your roof starts to leak seemingly out of nowhere. But, even in a roofing emergency, it’s important to question at least a handful of local companies to determine who you should hire.
While it can be stressful to find a last minute roofer, if you ask the right questions, you will certainly find a company who is qualified to handle the task at hand.
To get you started, here are five questions you should ask Portland roofing contractors before making a final hiring decision:
Do you offer a warranty on the work performed and the roofing materials?
Most professional roofers will provide some version of a warranty, but it’s important to get the details of your coverage beforehand. For example, while one roofer may provide a workmanship warranty, this company may not be able to offer a manufacturer’s warranty.
At Interstate Roofing, we work closely with the top manufacturers in the industry and can provide product warranties on behalf of each. We also provide various workmanship warranties that include tear-off costs and flashing replacements.
While you hope to never have to use a warranty, if you select a company that does not offer at least the industry standard, then you are putting yourself at risk for shelling out large sums of money just a few short years after investing in your roof replacement.
Also, make sure to get the warranty in writing before committing to a company. That way you can closely compare the offerings and have proof of purchase if something does go awry.
Can I see pictures of work that you’ve completed that is similar to my project?
If you call a random Portland roofing contractor and hire the first person you speak with it’s 50-50 whether the work will be to your liking. For this reason, it’s important to know if the company you’re interested in has completed roofing projects similar to the one you’re requesting.
If your house has gables or a steep pitch, will your contractor know how to properly and safely navigate that type of roofline? Or, maybe you are looking for Portland roofing contractors who are experts in flat, commercial roofs. Either way, ask to see proof of past work.
While this may sound like you can’t trust the person you’re speaking with when he or she says the company has ample experience, you still must ask. In fact, contractors expect these types of questions and will not mind one bit. And, if someone does seem perturbed by your queries, then it’s not the company for you.
Are your past customers happy with your work? Can you direct me to reviews?
If you are calling Portland roofing contractors to perform work on your roof, you’re going to want to hire someone who other people would also recommend. Great resources beyond a company’s website where you can read reviews include Facebook, Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, and more, and that’s likely where a company will direct you, but it’s still important to ask.
Again, it may seem strange to ask, but great companies are proud to boast about their rave reviews and the excellent work they’ve completed. They want to show off their latest projects and share how they surpassed customers’ expectations both in workmanship and professionalism.
This question allows the company representative to share the many reasons why you should select that company over another and may even be the tipping point on whether it’s the one you ultimately choose.
Do you offer roof maintenance services?
While this may seem strange to be among our top five questions as you’re focused on the immediate problem at hand and not whether or not you want a roof cleaning each year, it is definitely an important one to ask.
It may feel trivial at this moment, but long term you will want to select Portland roofing contractors who you can contact any time something comes up, not just once every ten to twenty years when you need a roof replacement.
You can easily find a one and done company, but if you want to ensure you’re placing a quality product on your home with a top-notch local company, then you’ll want to know they’re going to be around to call when something comes up.
How do you maintain a safe working environment?
Again, this may not seem relevant, but it speaks volumes about a company culture. You don’t just want to hire a company that throws people up on roofs with abandon and considers their employees as replaceable. You want a company that puts the safety and health of their employees among their top priorities.
Working on a roof is inherently dangerous, so you’ll learn a lot when you ask this question. At Interstate Roofing, we’ll tell you we provide:
- Thorough safety orientation training for all new employees.
- Pre-job safety plans on all projects
- Frequent on-site safety inspections
- Formal accident investigations
- Certified CPR and First Aid training
- Generous safety incentives
- And more
At Interstate Roofing, we value our employees—some of whom have been with us since our founding in 1988—so we put in place high standards to ensure each individual stays and remains safe on each project site.
This list of five questions is by no means comprehensive. Other questions you should certainly ask include pricing, company history, environmental considerations, proper insurance and licensing, and any specifics related to your project at hand.
All top Portland roofing contractors who take pride in their work and their company will be glad to address these and any other questions you have so that you—the consumer—can make an informed decision.
At Interstate Roofing, we looking forward to working with you and can’t want to answer the many questions you might have for us. Reach out today!