If you’re hiring a contractor to work on your home, it goes without saying that you want to work with a company that’s reliable. This is especially true of roofing contractors — you don’t want to be stuck with a half-finished roof, nor do you want someone to take your money and run.
Here are some indicators of reliability that you can look for when you’re interviewing roofing companies:
- Longevity. How long have they been in business? Are they rated by the Better Business Bureau, and are they a member of any local business or trade organizations?
- Professionalism. If you have a roofing company come to your house for an estimate, is the employee dressed professionally and does he or she treat you with respect?
- Punctuality. Did they show up on time? A roofer who isn’t prompt when they want your money will probably not be prompt if they already have it!
- Flexibility. Some roofers will ask for a partial payment up front, but if the roofer demands a substantial (or full) payment in advance, this will certainly cause concern for many homeowners.
- Clarity. Does the roofer answer your questions, tell you what to expect, and address your concerns without being dismissive or evasive?
- Honesty. Does the roofing contractor make an effort to act as a resource by giving you honest recommendations, even if that means they won’t make a whole lot of money? Trustworthy roofers will tell you if you don’t need a new roof, and are willing to sacrifice short-term profit in order to build a relationship with their customers.
- Low risk. Is the roofer fully insured, and do they offer a warranty on labor? If they do offer a warranty, make sure to ask about the details, and specifically whether any restrictions apply. You can also ask them for examples of times when they’ve had to honor a warranty. How does the process work, and are they willing to come back to your house to talk about a concern you have after the project is done?
- Supervision. Is there a foreman or manager who will either remain on site or inspect the work when it’s done?
To summarize, the best roofing contractors are the ones who leave little to chance. They have a track record of successful roof installations, a process for completing projects, and a willingness to communicate with homeowners along the way, even after the work has been done.
About the author: EMA Construction is a Cincinnati roofing contractor with more than 20 years of experience in roof installation, roof repair, seamless gutters, gutter guards, vinyl siding, and window installation.
