5 Tips to Find a Great Roofing Contractor
Your licensed NJ roofing contractor, Allied Roofing Solutions, is dedicated to providing high-quality craftsmanship on every project we perform. Since 2007 we have made it our goal to have top workmanship and customer service, so we know something about how to find a great roofing contractor.
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Discover the Most Important 5 Tips to Find a Great Roofing Contractor
Your roof is one of the most important parts of the house. It needs to be functional to protect the interior of your home and provide comfort to those who live there. It also needs to be aesthetically pleasing from the exterior since it is one of the most prominent aspects of the house and can affect the resale value of the home. Roof work is not to be taken lightly. It needs to be done right. Another factor in making sure that the roof is repaired or installed correctly is the expense. A roofing project is one of the largest and most expensive jobs you will have done on your house. So, when you need to select a roofing company to either make roof repairs or totally replace the roof, it goes without saying that you need a contractor who does a high-quality job. In other words, you don’t want to choose just anyone to repair or install a roof. But, how do you select a professional roofing contractor that you can trust to deliver top-notch work? In this article, we give you 5 tips for determining the best company to work on your roof.
Tip #1. Get a Referral
Ask neighbors and friends who they have used for roof work that they would recommend. This is a tried-and-true way of finding a reliable roofing contractor. Make a list of people you know in the area who have had work done on their roof and reach out to each person. Ask questions such as:
- Were you happy with the process the roofer used?
- Did the job go smoothly?
- Was the work completed on time and in budget?
- Did the final product meet your expectations?
- If there were issues, did you get good customer service?
Personal contacts will give you honest feedback. If you don’t know anyone who has had roof work done in the last few years, you can also contact renovation/construction contractors and hardware stores for their input.
Tip #2. Research
When you have identified at least three qualified roofers, begin to research each one. Good roofing contractors have these qualities:
- Experienced
- Licensed in your area
- Insured
- Bonded (meaning that a bonding company has money available to a consumer in case there is a need to file a claim against the company)
- Provides references
- Put an estimate in writing
Investigate each company for this information:
- Verify the businesses’ contact information
- Confirm that each one is licensed and insured
- Consult the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau to check for red flags.
- Check reviews on Google and HomeAdvisor
Tip #3. Meet Face-to-Face
After coming up with the three roofing contractors you want to choose from, contact them to come see your home and get a scope of the work. Here is some of the information you should discuss with the contractor.
Roofing Materials Recommended
The roofing contractor should recommend several types of materials from which to choose. Different price points give you options for the asphalt shingles you put on the roof. Your budget can determine the shingle you ultimately use, but you need to see more than one type of shingle and have the contractor explain and describe each type as to its lifespan, quality of construction, and components.
Extent of the Work
The contractor should be able to give you a scope for the project as to how much is involved and what will be done. This is important information since you don’t want these details to change during the project while the work is being done. However, even with a good estimate, there is always the chance that unforeseen issues can come up, especially for structural work that was hidden and not included in the scope of work.
Time Required
A professional, experienced roofer can give you a pretty solid estimate for the time the project will take from start to finish, including preparation before and clean up after the roof is on.
Manpower Required
The contractor should be able to estimate how many workers will be involved in the project.
Warranties for Materials and Workmanship
Roof warranties exist to protect your roof investment. You will have a warranty for both the materials and the contractor’s workmanship. The warranty on a contractor’s workmanship protects you from improper roof installation or other mistakes that occur during the installation process. Every reputable roofing company should offer you some kind of workmanship warranty. A roofing contractor can offer anywhere from one year, two years, three years, five years, 10 years, 25 years, or a 50-year. When you are selecting a contractor, you should pick one that provides a 50-year warranty or one close to it.
Certifications from Top Shingle Manufacturers
The top shingle manufacturers pick six, eight, or ten of the best roofing contractors in an area to go through their certification process. This certification allows a contractor to offer the best warranties and enhanced warranties on roofing materials from the shingle manufacturers. The certification informs you that the manufacturer trusts this specific contractor and it is a reputable company.
List of References to Check
A good roofing company will have a list of references you can talk to about their work. The list should be for fairly recent work–2 to 3 months at the most.
Tip #4. Get Quotes in Writing
Don’t begin any work until the roofing contractor provides a signed contract detailing every aspect of the job, covering:
- Safety procedures and liability, including workers’ compensation
- Clean-up methods
- Payment amounts
- Schedule
Also, consider asking for a lien waiver to protect against claims that could come up if the roofer fails to pay a vendor for materials.
Tip #5. Don’t Go With the Cheapest Bid
As with many jobs, the cheapest bid probably isn’t the best choice. Consider the estimates and compare them. Given all of your research, you will more than likely have a level of confidence in at least one roofer’s ability to do an outstanding job. If you are impressed with a company that isn’t the cheapest, consider the price for peace of mind. That can be quite a lot.
Contact Allied Roofing Solutions to Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
At Allied Roofing Solutions, we adhere to the highest standards in roof construction for repairs and total roof replacement. Our professional team is committed to performing top-quality work. Contact us when you are looking for a roofing contractor you can trust and depend on. We serve much of New Jersey, including Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Somerset County. To schedule a free roof inspection, please call us at (201) 773-0633 or fill out our handy free estimate form.