Finding a Good Roofer Roofing materials consume but a relatively small portion of the bill for a roofing project, and the bulk will be going to the skilled labor involved. This makes choosing an experienced professional roofer an absolute must. Finding Prospects First of all, check the yellow pages only if you can’t obtain recommendations from friends or neighbors, or your local lumberyard or home builders.
A Simple Plan: Roofing
Two prospects is always great to start with. Both should have been operating for at least five years — unreliable roofers do not usually last that long.
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Checking Out References If they check out, ask for the names and addresses of some of their past clients, and drop anyone who seems hesitant to provide them. Inspecting Past Work It is important to make time to do a drive-by inspection of your prospects’ recent jobs. See if the spaces in between individual shingle tabs (called water gaps) are in perfect alignment while alternating shingle rows. Shingles must be trimmed clean along the valleys and go above the valley flashing. As well, shingles on roof ends should be neatly trimmed and aligned with the edge of the roof – irregular lines mean poor quality work. Flashing at roof valleys and eaves should be neat and tar-free. If things stand up to scrutiny, give references a call and ask them questions. Must-ask Questions For instance, would they hire the same roofer in the future? Did the roof, at any time after installation, leak? If so, was the roofer courteous and prompt in their response, and were there charges for extra work? Did their actual project costs exceed the budget, and if so, by how much? Were all extra costs justified? During or after the project’s completion, did they have any damaged flowers or bushes, or did they find nails lying in the driveway? Professional roofers clean up after themselves. Was there a foreman they could directly address their concerns to throughout the entire project, from tear down to installation? Insurance Of course, aside from workmanship and price, there are other equally important matters for you to consider. Insurance for one. The roofer should be adequately covered for both workers’ compensation and liability. If they say they are insured, don’t believe them straight away – ask for evidence. Warranties Make sure you get a warranty for defects related to labor, such as flashing failure and leaks. A one-year warranty is the minimum, though two or three years is preferable. The minimum is one year, but it’s preferable to get two or three years. These very stipulations, along with the type of shingles to be used, must be included in the contract. Better to ask for the highest quality shingles that fit into your budget. Finally, shingle makers often offer from 20 to 30 years in warranty, but remember that this will be instantly voided when you install the new shingles over the old ones. In other words, existing shingles must first be removed, usually for an added cost.