5 Questions to ask your roofing contractor

When you need roof repair or replacement, hiring the right contractor is one of the most important steps you can take. It’s easy to get blindsided by sharp sales presentations and fliers full of roofing terminology, however, having a set of questions to ask each roofing contractor you interview can help you make an apples-to-apples comparison. Once you make contact with a roofing professional, be sure to ask the following questions before signing any agreements.

1. Are you local?

Roofers may travel to places that experience hurricanes, such as Florida, to look for
work; but if the roofing company you hire isn’t local and you have problems with your
roof after they’ve finished, what are you going to do? If they’re from another city or state,
they may not be available to correct any mistakes or issues that arise.

2. Do you have insurance?

Roofing contractors should have workmans’ compensation and liability insurance to
protect the homeowner in the event of an accident. Workers’ compensation protects the
homeowner if a roofing company’s employee gets injured, and liability protects you from
damage caused by the roofers during repair or replacement.

Without workmans’ compensation insurance, the homeowner may be responsible for
medical bills and other costs associated with the injury. Your homeowners’ insurance
may not cover these types of accidents, so you will be personally responsible for the
costs.

3. Do you have a roofing contractor license?

Ask the roofing contractor if he or she is licensed by your city or state. Licensing
requirements vary by state. Some cities and counties also require a contractor to be
licensed. Verify whether a license is required in your area, and if it is, check with your
local licensing offices to make sure your roofers license is up to date and doesn’t have
any outstanding violations.

A business license is not the same as a roofing contractor license. A business license is
for tax purposes and identifies the company. It does not mean the person has passed a
test or is qualified to work as a roofer.

4. Do you have homeowner references?

Ask for local residential job sites you can visit and check previous roofing work. You can
also ask for references, but sometimes past customers do not want their personal
information released or a contractor cherry picks a couple of happy customers. Follow
up with the homeowners and ask whether they are happy with the roofing job completed
by the contractor.

5. Do you offer a warranty for your roofing work?

Ask how long the roof repair company guarantees its work. A roof warranty typically
lasts for a year, but some roofers offer longer warranties. The manufacturer usually
covers the materials, and the roofer covers the work. These are two separate
warranties, so ask the roofer what is covered under each warranty and the length of
each.

Don’t make the wrong choice or risk increased costs in the future, contact us today for FREE inspection in San Antonio and the surrounding areas!