When selecting a roofing contractor, price shouldn’t be your top priority. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for,” and this holds true for roofing projects. Here's how to properly vet a roofing contractor to ensure you're hiring a reliable and experienced team:
Referrals. Talk to friends, family, or peers who’ve had commercial roofing work done. Their experiences can provide valuable insights into contractors’ reliability and work quality.
Website and Online Reviews. Visit the contractor's website to check for customer reviews and references to previous jobs. Also, look for reviews on third-party websites to get a broader picture of the company’s reputation.
License and Insurance. Verify the roofer is licensed and insured. Ask for copies of their license and insurance documents to protect yourself from liability in case of accidents or issues during the project.
Permits. Ensure the contractor pulls the necessary permits for the job. This means the work will be inspected by a city building inspector to ensure it meets local and state standards.
Manufacturer Warranties. Ask if the contractor offers a manufacturer’s warranty. These warranties are typically issued after a manufacturer's inspector reviews and approves the roof’s installation, providing an extra layer of quality assurance.
Detailed Proposal. Ensure the contractor provides a proposal with a fixed price in writing. Beware of vague proposals with too many unknowns or extra charges that could lead to cost overruns.
Manufacturer Certifications. Check if the contractor holds any certifications from roofing material manufacturers. These certifications indicate specialized training and expertise in the particular roofing membrane. Below are are some preferred manufacturers:
Single ply membrane: Duro-Last, GAF, Firestone, Carlisle (Mulehide and Versico)
Shingles: GAF, Certainteed and Owens Corning
Metal Roofing: Berridge, MBCI and PAC-Clad
Compare Proposals. Compare quotes from different contractors, ensure you’re comparing similar scopes of work. Don’t hesitate to share other proposals with contractors (without disclosing the price) to ensure they’re quoting the same exact work.
Subcontracting. Ask if all the work will be done by the contractor’s own crew or subcontracted. Subcontracted work may lead to less control over the quality of work, so be cautious. Keep in mind that some parts of a job may be out of a contractor’s scope(i.e. plumbing, electrical and mechanical work) and it is beneficial to bring in a third party. If work is being subcontracted ask about what parts of the project – the whole project, just labor? Subcontracting of a roofing project is not created equal so try to ask as many questions as possible.
By following these steps, you can confidently choose a roofer who will deliver quality results and peace of mind. Interested in getting your roof protected?
Request service online or call our team at (833) 446-8849.
