DFW storms give roofers, body shops, tree services plenty of work | Business | Dallas Bu...

DFW storms give roofers, body shops, tree services plenty of work | Business | Dallas Bu...

Things Every Homeowner Should Know When Choosing a Roofing Contractor

10 Things Every Homeowner Should Know When Choosing a Roofing Contractor

When was the last time you thought about your roof?  Unless you currently have a roof leak, the answer is probably never.  That’s pretty normal.  You see your front door, your exterior paint and your landscaping every day and that’s where most people focus their weekend chores and repairs.  But your roof has possibly the most important job in the whole house.  Your roof is the only thing standing in between your family and the elements and it’s your homes main defense against structural damage, deterioration, property loss and a huge loss in your home’s value. Especially in this “buyer’s market,” you can’t take any chances with a minor roof problem ruining your ability to sell your home when it’s time.  Buyers may overlook a squeaky front door, dingy paint job and a shaggy lawn, but any sign of water damage is a huge stop sign.

10 Rules of Roofing to help guide your decision process when the time comes for a new roof.  These tips are especially import now as we approach storm season and the storm-chasing roofers will soon follow.

Before you call a contractor

1.Snoop around – Do your own visual inspection of your roof for missing shingles, discolored areas, raised or wavy areas, or shingles that are rolling up.  All of these can be signs that your roof is near the end of its useful life.  Then check in the attic for any visible daylight or separations around a chimney, vent pipes, skylights or any element that penetrates your roof.  Use a flashlight to look for staining or other signs of water damage.  The contractor you choose will perform the same inspection (with a more trained eye of course) and you’ll be better prepared to discuss his findings.

2.A little knowledge is a good thing – Learn a little bit about the roofing business.  Your local home improvement center will have a basic guide to roofing, probably just a page or two.  Get to know what the most common steps in roofing are and which may require special skills.  When you understand the basic process to repairing or replacing a roof, you are better equipped to negotiate with your contractor and watch out for both short cuts and unnecessary expenses.

Before you sign a contract
3.Check for insurance – Get the name of the insurance carrier and policy number and call them to make sure the policy is current and that it covers the company and its workers.  If you allow an uninsured worker on you roof and they get injured, you are liable.

4.Check certifications – Each state may require different levels of certification for roofing contractors.  Some are very strict and some states require no certification at all.  Make sure your contractor is properly certified to do the work by either the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or any other state or local organization. It’s also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints and how long they have been in the business.

5.Check your neighbors – If your friends and neighbors have recently replaced or repaired their roof, see who did the work and ask for a review.  Every reputable roofing contractor should be able to provide references from your area and you should talk to at least one of them.

6.Shop it – Take a look at ratings and prices of different roofing products and know what the contractor is going to use so you can lock in a price upfront. Know the work they will do. Find out who will actually do the work.  Is it the company making the bid or another subcontractor you haven’t interviewed?

7.Get it in writing – Sam Goldwyn of MGM fame once said, “a verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”  He was right.  Get your detailed contract in writing including project scope, timeline, materials to be used, who will do the work, contingencies, payment schedule and EXACT COST.  Estimating software and training have made it possible for contractors and insurance companies to take the guesswork out of estimating.  Never agree to pay more than one third at project inception.

8.Permits – Let your contractor get your job permitted.  If you pull the permits then you and not the contractor are responsible for insuring that the work is completed to code.  Plus, if the contractor holds the permits, the building inspector becomes your advocate and intermediary.

9.Get a lien release – This is an often-overlooked step in the process but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road.  A lien release protects you in case you pay your contractor for materials but he doesn’t pay his suppliers.  Most of the contractor nightmare stories involve a knock at the door from a supplier you’ve never heard of who is putting a lien on your house for the cost of your shingles.

10.Post work inspection – Let your contractor know from the outset that you will bring in an independent inspector to declare the job is complete, sound, and up to industry/manufacturer standards before you release final payment.

If the contractors you are interviewing start squirming when you discuss your “10 rules of roofing,” then they probably aren’t the right company for you.  Remember that an uneducated consumer who is only looking for the lowest price is the easiest target for an unscrupulous roofing contractor.