When it comes to your home’s roof, it is important to take every step possible to ensure you hire the right roofing contractor.

Are you looking to hire a roofer but not sure where to start?

One of the best suggestions that we can give you is to start by asking your friends and neighbours if they have experience with a professional roofing contractor. Then follow up by reading their reviews online. Another good place to start your search is the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Once you have a list, call 2–3 local roofers to set up consultations. You will want to check their references and qualifications and compare bids.

Here is a list of a few things you might want to look for and a few questions you might want to ask prior to selecting your roofing contractor.

Roofing Contractor Training

Many manufacturers of roofing materials offer product training to installers. This training helps ensure the proper installation of their product. Find out what training the potential roofing contractor has.

Google Guaranteed

Did you know that Google has a Guarantee program where they complete background checks on contractors to confirm that they are qualified? Ask your potential roofing contractors if they are approved by this program.

Insurance / WorkSafe

WorkSafe provides coverage to the contractor if they are injured on the job. General liability insurance will protect your home if it gets damaged while the contractor is working on it. Make sure that your roofing contractor has both WorkSafe and general liability insurance in good standing.

Roofing Sub-Contracting

Do they sub-contract their work or is it completed by there own employees. Sub-contracted work is typically provided at a price per square foot rate. This means the faster the sub-contractor completes the work, the more profitable the job will be for them. This creates a less than optimal work environment and makes quality control extremely difficult. Make sure the contractor you hire does not sub-contract their work.

Roofing Contractor Warranties

There are a lot of different warranties out there. It’s important to know the differences and to know what you are getting before signing anything.

A labour warranty is a warranty on the contractor’s labor. It only covers the installation work.

A manufacturer’s warranty covers the product being installed.

Be sure to ask what type of warranty is offered on each of these and for how long.

Roofing Contractor References

Now that you have decided on a roofing contractor, it is a good idea to ask for references. The first step is to ask for at least 3. Then you need to call them. It is also a good idea to go and see the roofs if you can.

This is a very important part of the research stage. If the roofing contractor does not agree to give you references, do not use them.

It is critical to hear from customers about what it is like to deal with the contractor. Was the job completed properly? Was it completed on time? If there were delays, how were they handled?

Get It In Writing

A written contract protects you as a homeowner. Any reputable roofing company will provide the estimate, inspection report, and contract in writing. If the contractor doesn’t want to provide an official contract, move on to the next roofing contractor on your list.

What should minimally be included in the contract:

• clear outline of payment schedules
• roofing materials used (brand, type, and colour)
• start and end date
• details about the entire roofing process

Price

Hire based on more than just price! Price alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor in any home improvement project, including your roof. A professional roofing contractor who has highly trained employees, the proper insurance coverage, and uses high quality materials will need to cover their costs on the roofing job. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, you get what you pay for.

After reading this article, you should have a better idea of what to look for in a professional roofing contractor. Now you are ready to start doing research.

The best way to make the right decision is by asking the right questions when meeting with potential roofing contractors. Below is a list of questions that we have put together for you to help make the process a little easier.

Questions to ask a roofing contractor

Roofing Contractor Business Qualifications

• How long have you been in business?
• Is your business local?
• What is your legal business name and address?
• Do you use roofing subcontractors?
• Who will be the main contact for this project, and what is the response turnaround time if I have questions?
• Can I find reviews anywhere online?
• Can you give me 3 references to check?

Roofing Qualifications

• What type of roofs do you install?
• What is your specialty?
• Has your team been trained in my type of roofing?
• Do you remove or dispose of old roofing materials?

Estimates

• How long does it take to complete an estimate?
• What’s included in the cost?
• Do I need a building permit for this particular job?
• When and how do you invoice? Do you accept credit cards? Do you offer financing?
• How will you avoid going over budget?

Timeline

• What percentage of jobs do you start and complete on time?
• How soon can you schedule my job?
• How long will my project take?

Safety and Warranty

• How long will my project take?
• Who will be overseeing the roof installation?
• How will you protect my house from any damage?
• What kind of warranty do you offer on your work?
• Is there a manufacturer warranty in place and for how long?
• What type of insurance do you have and what is the coverage?