You may not have experience choosing a roofing contractor until an unfortunate event like a hurricane or hail storm happens in your neighborhood and it is time to replace the roof on your own property. When that time comes there are so many things to consider in addition to which company you want to perform the work like what materials are best foryour property, the best installation procedures, how to make sure everything damaged is covered by your insurance company and so much more. Selecting a roofing contractor you can trust to help you with all of the decisions that are necessary in the process is the key to making sure your home returns to like new condition. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you are prepared to find the best contractor for your property.
Insurance:
Unfortunately, in the State of Texas roofing contractors are not required to carry Liability Insurance. However, most of the top reliable roofing contractors voluntarily carry it to protect you, the consumer. Make sure to get a copy of their Liability Insurance and call their provider to verify their policy.
Licenses:
The State of Texas also does not require a license for roofing contractors. However, most cities in the state do require registration or a license within their city. Check with your city to make sure the contractor who is proposing to do work on your property is registered and able to pull all necessary permits for your project. There is also the Roofing Contractors Association Of Texas that offers voluntary licenses with testing and through screenings of roofing contractors in Texas. You can either ask the contractor you are considering if they hold this voluntary license or look for one in your area on the RCAT website at http://roofingcontractors-texas.com/licensing/
Fair Pricing:
If you are working with your insurance company to complete the repairs, then getting a low bid on your project only saves the insurance company money if you are doing it legally. In most cases, the insurance company will only release the final payment once the project is complete, you have paid your deductible to the contractor and they have billed you for the total amount of the claim. The only way to “save” your deductible is for the contractor to send a fraudulent invoice to the insurance company stating they charged you more than they actually did. This is insurance fraud. If you are approached by a contractor who tells you they can “cover” your deductible turn them down immediately. If they are willing to be dishonest with your insurance company what will ensure they won’t be dishonest with you? Also, insurance companies are not known for overpaying on a claim. The insurance pays the fair market price for the work so what would the contractor be leaving out of your roof by covering the deductible?
Reviews:
These days you can find out almost anything about a company online through reviews. Check out their social media reviews, Yelp, Google and their website. A company who has been around for a while (and will most likely continue to be around to service their warranties) will have an online presence. You can get a good idea of the experience you will have working with them by reading about the experiences others have had with them.
Referrals:
Can the company provide local references or referrals? If so, you know you have found a local contractor that will be around to service their warranty after your project is complete. Ask for local references from homeowners or businesses in your area.
Warranty:
Make sure you know the terms of the labor warranty provided by the roofing contractor before entering into a contract. Some companies can give you a sample warranty for you to see. In the roofing industry the average warranty is 3 to 5 years on full replacements and 1 year on large repairs. Majority of labor defects will appear within the first year. Typically, the length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability to service the warranty. This is best evaluated by their customer reviews and ratings. Look for reviews that describe their follow-up, attention to detail, problem solving, and quality of work.
Your property is likely your largest investment and we hope these tips will help you when deciding on a contractor to restore your property to like new condition.
