Did you know that approximately 5 million American homeowners replace the roofs of their houses each year? This number is expected to increase in the upcoming decade as more eco-friendly roofing options become cheaper and more accessible.
If your roof is badly damaged and you're thinking about replacing it, you're making the right move. However, you should also be aware of roofing contractor red flags before hiring a so-called professional. This type of project is a major one that needs to be handled by competent people.
Keep the following roofing contractor warning signs in mind when hiring roofers for your project.
Not Providing Proof of Insurance and Certification
An uninsured roofer can be a source of problems for homeowners. For example, if the roofer accidentally gets injured while working on your property, you can be held accountable for this unfortunate event. If the roofer has insurance, you have nothing to worry about.
The same story is valid when it comes to certification or license. Whether we talk about a residential or commercial roofing contractor, roofers who are not authorized to practice this job might do poor-quality work. They cannot provide warranties and they might also charge you much more money than normal.
If you ask for proof of insurance and certification and your roofer hesitates to provide the information, simply find someone else.
Not Willing to Discuss All the Details With You
Especially when it comes to major roofing projects, communication is essential.
A high-quality contractor will answer all your questions and have lengthy discussions with you regarding materials, supplies, work methods, scheduling options, etc. If you contact a roofer and he's not willing to talk with you at length about your roofing project, chances are that he's not a competent contractor, so avoid him.
Asking You to Handle Paperwork and Building Permits
Sometimes it might be necessary to obtain a building permit before commencing work on a roof. This shouldn't be a problem for a qualified roofer. However, if the roofer asks you to obtain the building permit or handle other types of complicated paperwork, chances are that your contractor doesn't have insurance and a license to practice this job.
Avoid such roofers and go for those who handle all paperwork on their own.
Asking for Cash Only Upfront Payments
Roofers who accept only cash payments are not to be trusted. High-quality contractors offer a wide variety of payment options and they don't ask for full payments upfront. This is a red flag for a questionable roofer, so don't agree to anything yet.
Keep looking to find a good contractor who embraces different financing options and he's willing to commit everything to paper.
Has No Experience and No Portfolio
When screening roofers, make sure that you talk with them about their experience and past work. You can ask to see pictures from their portfolio of clients as well as testimonials from past customers. A poor-quality contractor usually has nothing to show for and it will hesitate.
A good contractor will immediately show his portfolio and that's how you recognize a competent roofer.
Now You What Roofing Contractor Red Flags to Look For
These are just a few roofing contractor red flags to look for when screening contractors. Make sure that you get quotes from multiple roofers and ensure that everything you discuss is also written in the contract. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
In the meantime, check out the other articles on our website to see what roofing options are trendy nowadays and how can you improve your house without spending a lot of money.
Posted by PreReal™ Prendamano Real Estate on
Leave A Comment