9 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Your home is one of your most important investments, keeping you and your family safe and protected from inclement weather. And that is why you must know who to turn to when you need work done to keep your house in the best shape possible.
Finding and hiring a roofing contractor can feel like a difficult chore. There are so many options available, not to mention your concerns about scams. How do you find a reputable roofer you can trust?
You want peace of mind that you’re hiring the best roofing contractor for the job, but you also want to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the highest quality of work—and that includes thoughtful attention to your needs now and after the work is completed.
So, where do you start? Before you hire anyone, explore your available resources like this checklist to get an idea for what to look for in a roofing company. Additionally, here are some important questions to ask a roofer.
1. Is your business local?
Knowing that your roofing contractor is local isn’t just good because they know the area, code requirements and are familiar with the weather and what materials you need as a result (and we have some wild weather in the Centennial State). It also gives you peace of mind to know they are accessible if you have any problems after the work is completed or for follow-up on service warranties.
In particular, some national or out-of-state companies and storm chasers will come in after a big storm and use high-pressure sales tactics to get your business. The problem is that they are out-of-state chains, and that means they don’t have relationships with local manufacturers in case of supply shortages. They are also unfamiliar with local install requirements and codes. Worst of all, once the work is completed, they’re often inaccessible for any follow-up or service warranty needs. It’s best to go with a local roofing contractor.
2. Is your roofing business licensed & insured?
There is no statewide registration or licensing requirement in Colorado, but all roofers should be licensed to operate business and insured. You can check to make sure your roofing contractor is licensed and able to perform work in Colorado by checking the state website here.
You might assume all businesses are insured, but that is not always the case. Accidents happen, but you should not be liable if one happens on your roofing job. Ask to see your roofing contractor’s certificate of insurance and verify its standing with a quick Google search. You also want to ask if all workers are certified in all materials—it is not a state requirement, but it can make a big difference in the quality of work.
3. Does your company use subcontractors?
Many roofing companies use subcontractors to complete some or all of a roofing job. That is not necessarily a problem, but making sure subcontractors are experienced and insured could impact quality of work.
- Are your subcontractors insured?
- How do you ensure quality control?
- Who is my main contact person?
4. How long has your company been in business?
Asking about experience is always a best practice, no matter the industry, and you want to make sure your roofing contractor has the skills and experience to complete your project. For example, J&K Roofing has been serving the Denver/Metro and Front Range areas since 1984—that’s almost 40 years of qualified experience that can handle your job.
5. Based on your inspection, what are you planning to do?
Unfortunately, not all roofing companies take the same approach to provide the highest quality of work. In fact, some roofing companies will do a roof inspection and simply tell you that you need a new roof.
They should be able to show you the damage, describe the work that’s needed, and explain the process from start to finish, including insurance and financing options.
6. Does your roofing business have manufacturer certifications?
An experienced and reputable roofer will have manufacturer certifications in all major products. This shows that they are authorized by the manufacturer to install their products, and/or offer related services and warranties. Ask if they are certified and if you can see their certification.
7. What warranty comes with the work you provide?
As with any product or service, it helps to know you’re protected. Ask your roofing contractor what kind of warranties they offer and how they protect the work they complete. For example, J&K Roofing generally provides a five-year labor warranty on normal installation, and certain materials have different warranties associated. It’s always best to ask for the most correct and updated information specific to the work being done on your roof, the products that are being installed, and the related manufacturer warranties.
8. How will your workers protect my property?
To make sure they respect your property—your lawn, home exterior, gutters, etc.—ask what your roofing contractor does to prevent additional damage to your property. That could be as simple as:
- Putting down a tarp to protect your landscaping,
- Paying attention to where heavy trucks and materials are placed,
- Being careful when removing solar panels or satellite dishes,
- Prioritizing safety by properly tying off to prevent falls and create a safe working environment.
9. Ask Around for Reviews and Look Into Business Ratings
You want to know you’ve hired the right people to complete your roofing project, so be sure to ask around for reviews and referrals from friends and neighbors. You might have neighbors who have had good or bad experiences with a particular roofing company, and it is always good to know you’re not the guinea pig for a new company.
Similarly, do some online research on their business rating. Preferably, choose a roofing contractor with an A+ Better Business rating and a high number of customer reviews like J&K Roofing.
The J&K Roofing Experience
The bottom line is that we want you to feel good about selecting J&K Roofing for your project. We’ve been in the Colorado roofing industry for over 37 years. We have roofed over 50,000 residential and commercial projects and pride ourselves on the relationships we have built within our community.
We service the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Northern Colorado regions. Call us today for your free inspection and to discuss your next roofing project. We’ll answer your questions!