Roofing is about much more than just protecting you from the elements.
For many living in York, PA, it’s a design statement that accents the beauty of the rest of your home. Whether you need roofing repair or replacement, you want to be certain that you’re working with qualified, experienced, and careful roofers.
However, with so many options to choose from, it can often be a bit of a challenge to know how to choose the right contractor for your project.
That’s why knowing the kinds of questions to ask a roofer before you commit is so important.
This post is here to tell you what you need to know before you sign anything. We’ll also fill you in on where you can find reliable roofing contractors in York, PA.
1. “Do You Have a License?”
The first thing you should check on when you’re coming up with a list of questions to ask your roofer is if they have a license.
You need to ensure that they have a license to practice within your specific state. You should feel free to request a copy of that license.
Even if licensing isn’t legally required in your state, having it does give you an indication of the level of care, experience, and professional training your contractor will bring to the project.
If the contractor in question doesn’t have a license, it’s best to move on.
2. “How do You Determine Project Timelines and Pricing?”
When you’re considering roofing work, it can be tough for both prices and the overall project timeline to be exact.
Still, you need to understand how the company will determine the estimate, and what exactly that estimate includes. Does it also contain the cost of any materials, or is it solely for labor? What about potential work permit costs or equipment rental, if necessary?
Make sure you ask the contractor how long they estimate the project will take, and what could potentially lengthen that timeline. Remember that things like poor weather and supplies that are out of stock may delay the project.
3. “Do You Have Insurance?”
One of the most important questions to ask a roofer before you decide to hire them for your project?
Whether or not they have insurance.
First of all, the company needs to have liability insurance. This helps to protect your property if a worker damages it in any way during the project. You don’t want to be stuck paying for repairs to fix accidents you didn’t cause.
You should also be certain that the company has worker’s compensation insurance. This means that, if a worker gets injured on the job, you as the homeowner won’t be held financially responsible for their injuries, medical bills, and loss of income.
4. “Can You Offer Me a Warranty?”
Make sure you also understand what kind of a warranty the roofing company is able to offer you.
For example, if something goes wrong with the roof because of the poor quality of work they did, you don’t want to have to pay to have it fixed yourself.
Make sure that you understand what the warranties associated with the materials used to build the roof are as compared to the warranty of the work itself.
Ask if anything will void the warranty, and make sure that you get a copy of it in writing.
5. “Do You Employ Subcontractors?”
When you’re on the hunt for the right roofer, you need to make sure you know who exactly will be working on your home.
Ask if the company will have a project manager, and especially if they hire subcontractors.
If they are, you need to be absolutely certain that these subcontractors also have worker’s compensation and liability insurance. You should also look into getting lien waivers, in case the roofing company doesn’t pay the subcontractors.
In general, however, it’s best to avoid working with companies who farm out the work to others. You don’t really know about their experience and qualifications.
6. “What Steps Will You Take to Protect My Yard and Home?”
You should also make sure the contractor will take care to protect your yard, your windows, gutters, and home while they’re working.
If you have a driveway or garden that’s in the path of the roof, what sort of protective measures will be taken to prevent damage? Ask about stabilizers and standoffs to ensure that your gutters are protected during the installation process.
If the contractor seems to want to change the subject, you’ll know they’re not right for you.
7. “Can I Speak to Your References?”
Finally, you should always make sure you speak to past references before hiring licensed roofers.
This post offers some excellent guidelines on some of the most important questions to ask, but you should be certain to bring up:
- If the project was finished on time
- If the work lasted
- How their property was maintained during the project
- If they’d hire them again
- If there were any hidden fees
This will help you to feel completely secure in your choice.
Bring up These Questions to Ask a Roofer
We hope that this post has helped you to better understand the best questions to ask a roofer.
Remember to connect with past clients, check licensing and insurance, and above all, to go with your gut.
Looking for roofing professionals you can trust to work on your home? We’re here to help you get the level of service you deserve. We can assist you with a wide variety of home contracting services, including roofing, windows, gutters, siding, and more.
Get in touch with us to get an estimate, and learn more about how we’re different.
The post Gutter Done! 7 Questions to Ask Roofing Contractors in York, PA, Before Hiring Them appeared first on TC Backer Construction.
