Workers’ compensation and comprehensive liability insurance are crucial to protect you if there is an accident on your property during your reroofing adventure, so in your selection process for the right contractor, make sure that you check if these are in place before work begins. To make things easier, you can ask to see the company’s insurance certificates before giving them access to your property.
Take time to find the right company
The above is just one of many reasons to do your homework before making your final choice of contractor. Essentially, as the roofing contractor will be working for you, you should treat it as an employment process. To be comfortable that you have done your due diligence, set up a series of interviews with a handful of your favorite contractors, and talk to them about your needs, while carefully assessing how they might be able to help you. This is a surefire way to get the best understanding of who will be able to help you, and who is a chancer.
In addition to the types of insurance mentioned above, you may find that contractors also offer variations on insurance, like life, auto and health insurance. However, just because they claim to have it, doesn’t make it true. Always ask for proof when investigating insurance. Remember – it is to your benefit if the contractor is comprehensively covered. If anything happens on your property that you are not insured for, you will be liable for the related expenses.
I’d like to use the services of a roofing company near me – what else should I look for?
Other than insurance, warranties are probably the next most important thing. Different warranties cover different things, so ensure that you are 100% on board with what is and what is not covered in yours. Life happens, and if your new roof suddenly shows signs of algae, structural weakness, or is damaged by wind or storms within a certain amount of time, you want to have the reassurance of knowing that a warranty is in place.
Referrals can be worth gold in the quest for the right contractor. If people are not willing to vouch for a contractor publicly and-or online, steer clear – it is almost guaranteed that you will have trouble with a company like that. Don’t be shy to ask for referrals either, and follow up on them. If you are an avid gardener, you might also want to find out if your garden and landscaping will be protected – consider all the money you have put into your garden going to waste!
What is the deal with algae on roofs?
Because a roof is the kind of thing that you tend to ignore until it becomes a problem, most people don’t notice that the roof is getting damaged over time thanks to algae. A dirty and streaky appearance is often the first sign that your roof is under attack. It is possible to replace your old shingles with “algae resistant” ones, or you might have to just go for a roof treatment.
I have found a roofing contractor near me that I am happy with. Does their track record matter?
If you have been able to find a company whose services leave you feeling comfortable without checking how long they’ve been in business, the choice is yours. Many people will argue that the longer a company has been in business, the better it reflects on them, but this is not necessarily true, because even small companies could offer excellent workmanship that might just not have been proven yet. The same holds if you are on the lookout for solar roofing near you. The principles of finding a solid contractor that can deliver the goods are the same, no matter what.
References will once again come in handy if you are faced with a choice like this. If a company is not willing or not able to provide references from work done previously you would be well advised to treat the situation with caution. Written references, photographic evidence and contact phone numbers all add up to building a portfolio of trust.
How long should a warranty be valid?
Most workmanship warranties are valid for more or less a year, although it is not impossible to ask for an extension. These are often available at an additional cost, but depending on your situation, could be worth it.
There is a solid argument that high-quality workmanship is unlikely to require an extended warranty. Another thing to bear in mind is that longer warranties are not always more valuable than standard length warranties.