A roof is one of the most important components of any building. It protects the people and objects inside as well as keeps water and moisture from entering a building. When a roof is installed correctly, not only will it perform all of its tasks effectively, it will also last a long time. This is why it’s so important to choose wisely when hiring residential roofing contractors. Businesses like Interstate Roofing have been around for decades thanks to their quality work.
To find a company that can perform the same way, it’s good to know what things to consider during your search. Knowing the right questions to ask and things to check can ensure that you have a positive experience and a long-lasting roof.
Here are a few points to consider when you’re looking for residential roofing contractors.
1. Insurances and Licensure
Though many people may try to perform roofing work, not everyone is licensed to do so. The process of applying for and obtaining insurance and licensure speaks to the credibility of the business you’re going to work with and protects you in case anything goes wrong. This is why it’s extremely important to make sure that your residential roofing contractor has the proper licenses and insurance to perform the work they’re planning to do.
The proper license will show that a roofing company’s team has the education and training to work on your roof. Insurance can protect both them and you. It’s surprisingly common for there to be damage to property, staff, or residents while roofing work is being performed. When companies have proper insurance, it protects homeowners from being liable for those costs. As well as checking to see that they have insurance, you should also make sure that it’s not expired and that it actually provides the coverage you need. As insurance for roofing is highly expensive, some contractors opt for lower coverages. Make sure to look for completed operations and ask for a list of exclusions.
2. Reviews and References
One way to feel more confident about the residential roofing contractors you choose to work on your roof is to hear other people’s positive experiences. When home or business owners have a good experience with a roofing company, they won’t hesitate to relay that information when asked. You can start your search for reviews by asking people closest to you who they hired for residential roofing services and how their experience was. This is a good way to get information from people you trust. It also gives you the opportunity to view the work they’ve done firsthand.
Another way to hear about other people’s experiences with a residential roofing contractor is to look online. Review websites will often have at least a handful of reviews for the company in question. Take these with a grain of salt but take note if a large majority of people are venting about their bad experiences.
Lastly, you can ask the roofing company if they have any references they can provide you with. If a company is able to give you references, that means they feel confident in their work and that the people they’re referring you to feel the same way. All of these options can help you in making a more informed decision when it comes to who services your roof.
3. Experience
Peace of mind comes from picking a residential roofing company that has years of experience under its belt. Companies like Interstate Roofing have been in business for over 30 years, giving them time to perfect their craft and make lifelong customers. When looking for a residential roofing company, you can check websites to read about a company’s history and how long it has been in business.
Decades’ worth of experience and a wide variety of services offered can be helpful when it comes to maintaining your roof down the line. A company that can not only install your roof but service it after will allow them to become familiar with your specific roofing needs.
Technicians will be familiar with who performed previous work and what materials were used in the process. This can make things a lot easier when you need work done during the life span of your roof.
4. Quotes
When shopping around for a residential roofing contractor, you’ll want to collect quotes. You should have a budget in mind for the work you want done and then compare quotes for that work from a handful of roofing companies. Those quotes will vary from company to company, and there are a few things you should take into consideration when doing your comparisons.
One thing to consider is that a smaller price doesn’t always mean a bargain when it comes to roofing services. Take into consideration how long the business has been established, if they’re licensed and insured, their reviews, the scope of work, if ventilation is included, the quality of material, as well as the quality of work they perform. All of these things go into the pricing, and in many cases, it pays off in the end to not just go with the cheapest offer. You should also be sure to get your quote in writing so that you’re not surprised with a larger bill when your service is completed.
5. Roofing Warranty
Because roofing work is often costly, it’s important that you really get what you pay for. Quality roof installation and repairs should last you for years, and you should be protected if that’s not the case. For this reason, it’s important to ask your potential residential roofing contractor about what kind of warranties they offer.
Many roofing manufacturers offer warranties on their products through a limited number of vetted roofing contractors. This warranty is often only upheld when the supplies are installed by a professional and properly maintained. Companies like Interstate Roofing will be able to explain to you what needs to be done in order to uphold your warranty and can schedule and perform the required maintenance services. A good roofing company will have a variety of warranty options to offer you. This can increase your trust in their business and the materials they choose to work with. You should read through and understand all warranty options and requirements before choosing to go forward with any services.