What to Ask Your Roofing Company: The Definitive Checklist

Every home has a roof, so homeowners need to know what they should be looking for when hiring someone to install or repair their roof. Questions about pricing are common because most people want the best deal possible on this expensive project. But there are many questions you should ask your contractor before making any decisions and signing any agreements! This blog post covers all of the questions you need to ask your potential contractor before deciding on one company over another.

Are you a licensed contractor? While roofing licenses are mandatory regardless of which state your roofing company operates in, it never hurts to ask. If the contractor doesn’t have a license, this should raise some red flags.

Is your crew insured? Ask to see their liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates before hiring them. If you are wondering, “What is an Insurance Certificate?” basically, it protects both you and the roofing company if anything goes wrong on-site or while carrying out their work. It also ensures that they have been tested for safety measures such as CPR training, emergency response training, driver’s licenses, etc. A reputable company like Davis Roofing will have all these certifications readily available upon request!

How long does installation usually take? This varies from job to job depending on size but, more importantly, what materials were used, so try to ask what materials were used.

Are you a certified installer? Ask to see their certification from the company that made your shingles or tiles, not just some generic roofing certification/training courses they may have taken online at an unknown school. If something goes wrong with the installation, you must know who installed them and hold them accountable, even if it isn’t a guarantee from the manufacturer!

How long will my warranty last? This usually depends on how much was paid and what materials were used, so try asking this question before anything else about warranties because it may save you a headache in the long run.

Do you have any references? Ask for at least three to five names and contact numbers of recent customers so that you can call them! Do not trust empty promises about how well their workmanship is or claims by other companies online. Ask your potential contractor directly what kind of experience they have with this company because ultimately, it should be your decision on who you want to do business with.

Do you use roofing subcontractors? Ask if they do. If so, is this a common practice with your company? This can be dangerous because it means that there are strangers on-site at your home without you knowing about it! You should never hire someone who doesn’t use their own employees for work unless you know exactly what kind of vetting process has been done to ensure the job gets done properly and safely every time, regardless of whether one person or ten people show up.

What guarantees does my roof come with? Ask how long after installation any repairs to fix problems will be covered under warranty (usually around five years). Also, make sure all parts, including flashing, etc., are included in the guarantee coverage since some companies try to get away with charging extra for them later down the road!

What kind of communication do I have access to? Get specific about what it includes, such as email address(es), phone number(s), etc. This may not seem important, but sometimes lack of communication can lead people to assume things that aren’t true, which only makes matters worse for everyone involved, including yourself or even them, since bad reviews online destroy a business overnight.

Are you going to install drip edge/edge metal when you install my new roof? This is a metal strip that covers the edges of your roof fascia boards to prevent any damage from rain moving up under them and causing leaks. It isn’t always included, but it should be! Don’t forget about the ice & water shield; ask for it if they don’t offer this. Most new roofs come with it nowadays, so anything less may not meet code or warranty standards.

What kind of cleanup service will you provide? Make sure some type of cleanup occurs on-site because there may still be nails lying around in bushes etc. This way, no one gets hurt accidentally stepping on them while walking or working around your property since even used nails can puncture tires/feet easily, depending on how big they are. Also, make sure they don’t tear up your driveway since they usually only clean the roof, not the surrounding areas.

Are you going to strip my shingles before installing new ones? Ask this question first because sometimes it is included in their quote, but other times not so much! If it’s included, then good for you; if it isn’t, ask why and what kind of warranty will be provided afterward. That way, everything is clear from the beginning instead of finding out later down the road that something wasn’t covered when there was no reason behind why it should have been excluded, to begin with.

What does a typical installation process look like at your company? Don’t forget about personal safety equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles, and boots. They should be required to wear all three of these things while working on your roof since it is dangerous for anyone to work without them or if they aren’t appropriately trained in using this equipment safely. If the company doesn’t require their employees to use personal protective equipment, then you know something isn’t right from the start!

When looking for a new roofing company, consider several things, such as what they use, how much it costs, etc. But most importantly, make sure that you feel like your questions and concerns will be addressed honestly, so you know exactly what kind of job will get done when the workers show up on-site every single time!